18:10 Royal Ascot

Thursday 19 June 2025

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 1m 23.9s

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Selected odds by:

(22)

Roi De France^p1⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: R L Moore| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105

9/1

Back on the up since disappointing in the Cambridgeshire, producing a smart handicap performance when second of 14 at Newcastle (1m) on Good Friday. Plugged on for sixth in the Victoria Cup over C&D and needs a good test kept to this trip, though cheekpieces may help him travel with more zest.

Form: 012-326

(14)

Tarkhan^b1⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 105| D

125/1

Useful performer who completed a hat-trick in Munich listed event (6.5f) in October. Solid third in Group 2 at Milan on final start for Roland Dzubasz but judged on UK debut at Chester last month, his mark looks too high. Blinkers reached for.

Form: 31113-9

(28)

Never So Brave¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 105| BF| D

4/1

Back-to-back winner last spring for Sir Michael Stoute and having moved yards (gelded) he looked an unlucky loser at Chester 3 weeks ago, having to wait for a gap before coming up a nose short. Raised 4 lb but he's of major interest.

Form: 16720-2

(11)

Aafoor²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Szczepan Mazur| T: Mohammed Khalifa Al| OR: 105

80/1

Good second in 1m Newmarket handicap last summer and since enjoyed a productive winter campaign in the Middle East, winning 3 times along with a good fourth in the Qatar Derby towards the end of December. Found the Brigadier Gerard all too much 3 weeks ago and this more suitable.

Form: 24-1157

(8)

Witch Hunter¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 103| CD

14/1

Eighteen runs since last win in 2023 and does need everything to fall right given run style. That certainly didn't happen when well backed at Chester 3 weeks ago (hampered) but this straight 7f looks more his thing.

Form: 626070

(24)

Two Tempting¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 101| C

66/1

Enjoyed a fine 2024, winning 5 times in all and looked as good as ever this spring, making most of plum draw when enhancing his strike rate in 14-runner handicap at Chester (7.6f) in May. Weakened before revised mark became an issue an Epsom so needs to bounce back down in trip.

Form: 0-50418

(18)

Northern Express^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 101| CD

28/1

7-y-o is a credit to connections, winning the valuable International over C&D in first-time cheekpieces last summer. Not at his best in 3 outings this year, though mid-field effort at York with the headgear on was more like and he's now below that winning mark.

Form: 182-588

(32)

Holguin¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 100| D

16/1

Ex Andrew Balding inmate who was campaigned abroad last year for A. De Mieulle, winning once. First run for new yard when very good ¾-length third of 13 to Myal in handicap at Chester (7f, good, 18/1) 19 days ago, held when hampered close home.

Form: 1749-93

(30)

Myal¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 100| D

18/1

Continued upward trajectory for win number 5 at Haydock in April and having raced closer to the pace than ideal in the Victoria Cup over C&D, he produced another career-best effort at Haydock. Far from certain to uphold the from with Never So Brave, though.

Form: 11-3181

(27)

English Oak^p1³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: E Walker| OR: 100| CD

5/1

Huge career best when bolting up in this race a year ago. Has lost his way a little since, though run over 1m at Newbury from a poor track position last time isn't a race to judge him harshly on. Cheekpieces on for the first time and he's clearly a very dangerous opponent.

Form: 629-906

(6)

Jayyash⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: M Barzalona| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 100| D

100/1

Novice winner for John & Thady Gosden in 2024 and doubled career tally at Al Uqda in January for new yard. Sound-enough efforts at that venue during the spring but this mark demands a huge career-best performance.

Form: 38-1933

(26)

Oliver Show^p,t⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 99| DWS

12/1

Landed 3 AW wins for this yard last year and fit from Bahrain and produced a career-best effort when mugged on the line in the Lincoln. Off the track since, but a well-run 7f should suit and revised mark looks perfectly fair. Since had a breathing operation.

Form: 319-422

(13)

Inside Matters³⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| DWS

25/1

Third in Preis des Winterfavoriten at Cologne on final start in 2023. Didn't need to improve when won 17-runner maiden at Compiegne by ¾ length from Zeolakis on sole start following season. Sold from Henk Grewe €145,000 and gelded/breathing operation since last seen. Mark looks very stiff.

Form: 423/1-

(31)

Yorkshire^t⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 98| D

33/1

Enhanced already good strike rate with win number 6 in 7-runner handicap at Kempton (7f) in April, just holding on but better than ever in the process. Continued the excellent work on turf later that month and same mark here back from a break.

Form: 211-514

(23)

Apiarist⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 98| D

25/1

Has had a productive time on AW this winter, winning for a third time when getting on top towards the finish over 7f at Southwell in February. Failed to translate his form to turf when disappointing in the Lincoln and while he got back on track at Newcastle, he does have to prove himself on grass.

Form: 216103

(1)

No Retreat^p1,t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott| OR: 97| D

28/1

Useful colt who had a productive spell in Dubai for Fawzi Nass earlier this year, including a 7f handicap win in February. Gelded ahead debut for new yard and ran a cracker when third at Haydock. Tongue tie back on and cheekpieces fitted for the first time.

Form: 2-22123

(16)

Thunder Ball^b²⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: J M Sheridan| T: Brian Toomey| OR: 97| D

80/1

Fourth in the 2023 Britannia before signing off with a decisive success at Goodwood in October of that year. Down in the weights and returned to form at latter venue when second in September but off since and has left Paul and Oliver Cole.

Form: 1/74002-

(4)

Cerulean Bay¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| D

66/1

Racked up a hat-trick over 7f last summer. Low-key start to this campaign but much more like when fifth to Myal at Chester, albeit he was seen to better effect than a few re-opposing rivals in that race.

Form: 117-705

(5)

Ramazan³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 96| D

25/1

Smart performer at his best and, though winless last term, he was runner-up twice in big handicaps, latterly going close in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon in August. Not seen to best effect all 3 starts this season and assessor has given him every chance. Well-run race right up his street.

Form: 030-600

(21)

Spangled Mac^p,t⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: D McMonagle| T: G Boughey| OR: 95| DWS

80/1

Added to tally in Bahrain over 6f in January but fifth is the best he's managed since, including back in Britain at Southwell in April. Shaped that day as though worth another go at 7f and cheekpieces are on having undergone breathing operation.

Form: 8-10505

(2)

Run Boy Run^p³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: George Wood| T: R Spencer| OR: 95| D

33/1

Underlined his consistency by hitting the frame all 4 starts over 6f this season, just about better than ever when second at Newbury a month ago. Does stay this far but dominating this field over 7f is a big ask.

Form: 13-2242

(29)

Akkadian Thunder¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: W J Lee| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

7/1

Shaped well several times over C&D and confirmed he's better than ever when landing 14-runner handicap at Doncaster 12 days ago, dwelling at the start but had plenty in hand by the line. 6 lb rise shouldn't prevent a bold follow-up bid.

Form: 283-871

(15)

Mirsky¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95

22/1

Caught the eye on several occasions last term and, with a reappearance run behind him, justified good support to open his account for David O'Meara at Thirsk (1m) last month. Took the rise in grade in his stride when following up at Epsom a fortnight ago and a 5 lb rise looks perfectly fair.

Form: 589-811

(9)

Gleneagle Bay^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: D Egan| T: Stephen Thorne| OR: 95

7/1

Went close in big-field handicaps at Leopardstown (7f, good) and the Curragh (1m, good to soft) last autumn. Travelled well long way when fifth of 27 on Curragh reappearance in March and confirmed he's on the up when shaping really well in third in the Victoria Cup in May. Not yet exposed.

Form: 5222-53

(12)

Fifty Nifty⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: Tom Clover| OR: 95| BF| D

25/1

Won 2 of his 4 starts at 3 yrs and took another step forward when second in 7-runner handicap at Newmarket on reappearance (7f). Too free back over the same C&D, heavily eased off so bounce back required.

Form: 1541-26

(25)

Divine Libra⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: James McDonald| T: C Hills| OR: 94| D

14/1

Chester winner a year ago and shaped as though back in reasonable nick back at that venue last month, left with too much to do from a poor draw and also denied a clear run.

Form: 0820-65

(3)

Billyjoh^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Frederick Larson| T: M Appleby| OR: 94

28/1

Hasn't won on turf since debut but plenty of solid efforts in high-end handicaps last summer and he stuck to his task really well when 1½ lengths second of 14 to Akkadian Thunder in handicap at Doncaster 12 days ago. Nudged up 2 lb but he's clearly in good order.

Form: 004-832

Non-Runners

(19)

Array⁴⁰

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: C T Keane

(17)

Watch My Tracer¹³⁹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: George Scott J: Daniel Muscutt

Forecasts

Never So Brave (4/1), English Oak (5/1), Akkadian Thunder (7/1), Gleneagle Bay (7/1), Roi De France (9/1), Oliver Show (12/1), Divine Libra (14/1), Witch Hunter (14/1), Holguin (16/1), Array (16/1), Myal (18/1), Mirsky (22/1), Apiarist (25/1), Fifty Nifty (25/1), Ramazan (25/1), Inside Matters (25/1), Northern Express (28/1), Billyjoh (28/1), No Retreat (28/1), Yorkshire (33/1), Run Boy Run (33/1), Cerulean Bay (66/1), Two Tempting (66/1), Watch My Tracer (66/1), Spangled Mac (80/1), Thunder Ball (80/1), Aafoor (80/1), Jayyash (100/1), Tarkhan (125/1)

Hard to whittle the shortlist down but NEVER SO BRAVE is a low-mileage 4-y-o who should probably have made a winning start for Andrew Balding at Chester 3 weeks ago. There's definitely a bigger performance in him so he gets the nod in favour of Ramazan, who hasn't been seen to best effect this season and has been given a major chance by the assessor. Last year's decisive winner English Oak is clearly dangerous, with Gleneagle Bay also of firm interest.