Newmarket - Fri 14 Aug 2026
Having enjoyed a productive season with his juveniles, the George Boughey-trained Mount St is well worth monitoring in the market on her debut. The daughter of Persian Force is a half-sister to smart French performer Chica De Ciudad and a bold bid wouldn't surprise, but the experience of NECROMANCER may prove invaluable. Ralph Beckett's filly posted a promising fifth on her opening bid over C&D and improvement is forecast. Reborn is the pick of the remaining newcomers.
GILDING THE LILY didn't enjoy the smoothest of passages when finishing a never-nearer second on her opening bid at Wolverhampton and compensation may be on the horizon. The Gosdens' filly should relish this extra furlong and receives 7lb from chief threat Date Line. Charlie Johnston's filly ended her juvenile campaign with a ready victory at this course and it will be interesting to see how she fares in the betting on her return, while 375,000gns yearling Evening Call cannot be dismissed either.
Having proved more competitive when dropped to this grade over C&D a fortnight ago, a 1lb rise is unlikely to prevent another bold showing from Rising Force. However, John Butler's gelding may have to play second fiddle once more, given THE SWEET ESCAPE's current vein of form. The four-year-old was denied a hat-trick by only a short head at the Galway Festival recently and he looks slightly better treated. Sir Edward Lear could also feature dropping back in trip.
Molly Mac belatedly opened her account in impressive fashion at Nottingham and may yet kick on, but she now goes up in grade off 6lb higher and might find NORTHCLIFF too strong. Ross Burdon's gelding hasn't always been the most reliable this term, but he won at Chepstow in May and was an extremely creditable second at Thirsk latest. The six-year-old has won off marks higher than this in the past and is well drawn in stall four. Ziggy's Condor is 2lb well-in so must enter calculations, along with recent C&D winner Fifty Nifty.
Hickory tasted success in an open Ascot handicap last month and is in no deeper here, but even a 2lb rise at this stage of his career might leave him vulnerable, whereas BROCKLESBY BILL remains open to plenty of improvement. Kathy Turner's gelding made it two wins from five career starts when making all at Sandown and whilst Charlie Tucker negates the 4lb rise he should have every chance of doubling up. Principality heads the remainder.
Stepping up to 2m proved the making of FREE WORLD, who arrives following a bloodless success at Catterick. A 5lb penalty shouldn't be enough to stop the unexposed stayer, especially given that he's still 4lb well-in, and the son of Australia is expected to repel the in-form The Craftymaster. An Bradan Feasa scores highly for consistency and is likely to be thereabouts once again.
NECROMANCER may ideally want even further than this in time but she should relish the step up to 1m having been outpaced before finishing strongly over 7f on debut. She's proven on fast ground and is likely to have much more to offer her top connections so is picked to defeat Cool King who sets the standard on form after placing last time over this trip. Reborn makes most appeal of the newcomers with her dam a Listed winner in Italy.
GILDING THE LILY finished fast having been given too much to do over 7f on debut but can make amends stepped up in trip on her first try on turf. If ridden more positively she can defeat debutant Evening Call who has an attractive pedigree and comes from a top yard which can get them ready first time. Date Line concedes fitness to her main rival and the form of her novice win has had some knocks so she may struggle to shoulder a penalty.
RISING FORCE was only narrowly denied over C&D last time and gets to race off just 1lb higher here. The fast ground will suit both him and his biggest danger The Sweet Escape who went very close to completing a hat trick last time at Galway in a better race than this. Calyxoh is on a long losing run but he has tumbled down the weights and hinted at better last time so could also run well.
FIFTY NIFTY snapped a long losing run last time and remains thrown in on his old form despite a 3lb rise. On favourable fast ground he can continue his good course record at the chief expense of Currahee who returned to form here last time. He could build on that in the first time cheekpieces and fill the places with the consistent Ziggy's Condor.
HICKORY was a touch unlucky not to go close over C&D on his penultimate start but he made amends at his beloved Ascot next time and remains well treated on his best form despite a 2lb rise. He's versatile ground wise and is chosen to defeat Croupier who produced his best effort since a lay off when placed last time. He shaped as if need of this step back up in trip that day and he's 8lb below his last winning mark so looks an obvious danger. Brocklesby Bill remains unexposed on turf and defeated some in form rivals last time under a good ride so also rates a threat raised 4lb.
A strong contest but it was hard not to be impressed with FREE WORLD last time where he quickened clear with ease on his first try at 2m. A 5lb rise looks lenient and he can dominate once again. An Bradan Feasa has proven admirably consistent in both codes and gets to race off the same mark as when narrowly denied last time. He looks the clear danger while The Craftymaster also has to be respected. He's been in excellent form recently and remains thrown in on his best AW form despite a 4lb rise for his latest win.
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