Newbury - Sat 18 Jul 2026
Persica sets the standard and only found a progressive rival too good when second in a similar event at Sandown a couple of weeks ago. That said, marginal preference is for SILAWI, who was hugely progressive last year and won the Canadian International at Woodbine in October. He may not have been at his best in Riyadh last time but he was second to Opera Ballo in the Jebel Hatta in January and that form is very strong. All of the remainder are capable of going well, but Al Zanati is the pick of them.
A winner here in June and at Kempton 10 days ago, the progressive BAILEYS KHELSTAR makes plenty of appeal. Only 3lb higher than the most recent of those victories, the six-year-old may be able to make it a hat-trick despite a step up in grade. Ride The Thunder was not disgraced when sixth in the Northumberland Plate and is likely to be in the mix, while Almuhit and Duraji are also noted.
The unexposed SOLDIER'S TREE looks to have a very bright future. He was third on his debut for these connections behind a subsequent Group 1 winner in a Salisbury Listed race in May and then filled the same position in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. That latter effort came off a mark of 107 and the five-year-old should not be underestimated. Song of The Clyde was not disgraced in the Commonwealth Cup and scored at Listed level over C&D prior to that. Clive Cox's colt could prove to be the main threat, although Symbol Of Honour and Binhareer are others to consider.
A high draw has very much been an advantage in previous years and from stall 20, BINT ARCHANGE looks the one to beat. The 94-rated performer sets the standard following her Listed success at Sandown and William Buick knows the filly having been aboard for a novice success at Ascot in May. Etienne only narrowly missed out on his racecourse debut at Newmarket and another bold bid beckons, while Vollering and Sky Secret also merit consideration.
MANAAR looked to win with a bit in hand when half a length clear of Miss Scott on her racecourse debut over 1m1f here and despite the latter being 7lb better off at these weights, William Haggas' unexposed filly is fancied to confirm that form. Aura Champagne has seemingly had her issues since a promising introduction over 7f here last September but looks to have the ability to get involved if returning in the same sort of form.
You need a smart horse to win a Newbury novice stakes under a penalty, but SATELLITE OF LOVE could be exactly that. He created a nice impression when recording an all-the-way success on debut at Windsor and he's in some of the big sales races later in the season, along with the Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar. Can't Stop finished second behind a nice type at Yarmouth on his introduction and is noted along with Agrippa.
The market may tell us more about New Vega, who is really interesting in here on her return from an absence, but VELVET RHYTHM is the safe play. Charlie Johnston has this filly in really good nick and she might be open to even more improvement following back-to-back wins at Catterick. All Moonshine couldn't land a telling blow in the Kensington Palace at Royal Ascot but it's far too soon to be writing her off.
The form of OCEANS FOUR's French Group victory has been franked emphatically and having proved his stamina in the Hampton Court last time he is expected to take advantage of this drop in class. Silawi was a winner at the top level in Canada last term and will be suited by the quick conditions on his reappearance. If he's fit and ready to go he can pose the biggest challenge ahead of dual Group winner Persica who has been in excellent form this term but may find the ground on the quick side.
Last year's winner ALMUHIT can repeat the feat off a 1lb lower mark. He has been in excellent form in both codes recently and his latest run is worth marking up as he was pestered up front setting it up for a closer. There wasn't much between Ride The Thunder and Shrimp Shady at Newcastle last time with the pair proving progressive as stayers. They look the biggest danger ahead of hat trick seeker Baileys Khelstar who will find this much tougher.
A tight contest where most of the field can be given a chance. SOLDIER'S TREE finished ahead of Binhareer and Mitbaahy in the Wokingham last time getting first run on the pair but he's the least exposed of the trio so is fancied to confirm the form. His previous placed effort at Listed level has been franked in a Group 1 and he has proven himself versatile ground wise so is chosen to defeat Symbol Of Honour. The Group 2 winner ran well in the Chipchase last time and is entitled to come on for his first run since the spring. Song Of The Clyde wasn't disgraced in the Commonwealth Cup last time and is a previous Listed winner over this C&D so is also respected.
Bint Archange sets the standard on form following her Dragon Stakes win last time. She boasts an experience edge on many of these so holds strong claims but she could be vulnerable to a lightly raced improver. ETIENNE fits the bill having shaped with promise first time out when only narrowly denied over 6f on fast ground. That form has been franked and he looks the stable first string on jockey bookings. Vollering has built on a debut victory with some solid efforts at Listed level in France recently and will appreciate the return to this quicker surface. She can fill the podium ahead of Rollthedicebaby who represents a stable with an excellent record in this.
There wasn't much between MANAAR and Miss Scott last time with the pair expected to dominate once again. The latter gets a pull at the weights and should come on for that defeat but the former is expected to confirm the form. She is entitled to have learnt plenty from that initial outing and is bred to relish this longer trip. Aura Champagne shaped well here on her sole start last year and may chase the pair home if fit for her reappearance.
The only winner in the race Satellite Of Love is likely to be popular here on favourable fast ground. However his debut victory has had some knocks and he may struggle to give weight to CAN'T STOP who was only beaten by a well touted rival on debut. He's entitled to come on significantly for that initial effort and will be tough to beat if doing so. Agrippa was far from disgraced first time out when well fancied. He can improve and gain the final place here.
VELVET RHYTHM had plenty in hand last time so still looks ahead of her mark despite a further 5lb rise. On favourable fast ground she can complete the hat trick at the expense of Brisk Symphony who proved consistent until her last run where she was unsuited by the drop down to 6f. New Vega has a long absence to overcome but she brings in some strong 2yo form and should have more to offer this term so also rates a threat.
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