15:40 Royal Ascot

Friday 20 June 2025

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

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 2m 29.79s

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Selected odds by:

(14)

Teumessias Fox^p⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 105| D

80/1

Smart gelding who made a winning return in 14-runner handicap at Kempton in March. Backed that up with good third in listed race there following month but back on a career-high mark and overall record suggests he's better on AW. Headgear back on.

Form: 4050-13

(21)

Flight Leader^t1⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 105

66/1

Smart performer in France for Andre Fabre, adding a fourth career success to his tally in minor event at Deauville (9.5f) last summer. Offered something to work on sent handicapping on return/debut for this yard at Chester 6 weeks ago but mark/draw are the negatives.

Form: 8/1517-4

(8)

Mutaawid^b¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 103| D

12/1

Son of Frankel who took form to another level when 6-length winner of 1m2f handicap at Newmarket in May. Only fifth off revised mark at Epsom since, however, and needs to resume progress back up in trip.

Form: 146-515

(11)

Naqeeb²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 103| D

33/1

Failed to win last season for William Haggas but he kept good company and got no clear run in the Copper Horse at this meeting last year. Shaped well both starts for new connections this term and he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 0200-65

(10)

Hand Of God⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 102| BF| C

9/2

Lightly-raced 4-y-o who took his form to another level when impressive winner of Golden Gates Handicap at this meeting 12 months ago. Disappointed when well backed at Newmarket on first run since (had been gelded) 7 weeks ago but well worth another chance over a trip he should stay.

Form: 451/11-9

(17)

Mount Atlas⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 102| CD

14/1

Most progressive last year, making a winning handicap debut over C&D in July. Better form in defeat since, including when 3½ lengths fifth of 6 to Illinois in Ormonde Stakes at Chester 6 weeks ago. Unraced on going firmer than good.

Form: 1312-45

(18)

Stressfree²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 102| D

7/1

Most reliable sort who made amends for his narrow York reverse when coming out on top at Haydock 3 weeks ago, looking better than ever. Could have been better drawn but remains unexposed at this distance.

Form: 37-4321

(19)

Max Mayhem³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: M Barzalona| T: H Kobeissi| OR: 100| D

50/1

Better than ever when getting back to winning ways in 14-runner handicap at Meydan in March, overcoming a difficult trip in good style. Not in same form back in this country last 2 starts, however, well held at York last time.

Form: 8-63180

(13)

Siege Of Troy^p,t1²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 99

16/1

Useful filly but looks badly handicapped on the balance of her form. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 2437-44

(15)

French Duke^h²⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: R Varian| OR: 99| D

4/1

Caught the eye at this meeting last year when sixth in King George V handicap and duly confirmed as much when opening his account (hooded) at Goodwood following month. Good second back here in September but off since (has been gelded). Remains unexposed.

Form: 84/2612-

(12)

War Rooms^p1³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C T Keane| T: G Keane| OR: 99| BF

12/1

Useful gelding. Winless since debut but made a positive start for this yard when second of 8 in minor event at Gowran on return. However, turned over at odds-on at Killarney next time, albeit conceding first run. Opening mark looks high enough. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 6397-22

(22)

Almosh'her³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 98| D

7/1

Justified support at Southwell on debut before only just denied under a penalty at Kempton. Resumed winning ways with a useful effort on handicap bow there in March and continued his steep upward curve when making a winning turf/stable debut at York last month. More to come but drawn widest.

Form: 1-211

(4)

Auld Toon Loon^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 97

33/1

Didn't last long over hurdles for Lucinda Russell but firmly back on track returned to the Flat when making a winning start for this yard at Bath (10.2f, heavy) in October. Unlucky not to make a winning reappearance at Chester 6 weeks ago so warrants respect.

Form: 74/143-2

(9)

Brodure^t1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: C Soumillon| T: X Blanchet| OR: 97

100/1

Useful performer from France who has improved since joining this yard, winning first 2 starts before excellent third in listed race at Le Lion-d'Angers. Christophe Soumillon booked but handicapper has taken no chances on British debut.

Form: 717-113

(3)

Blue Lemons⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Loughnane| T: W P Mullins| OR: 97

22/1

Useful form for Richard Hannon last season and similar form in juvenile hurdles for this yard, winning twice. Interesting runner stepping up in trip on first start for this stable on the Flat.

Form: 37/6240-

(7)

Ethical Diamond^h⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 96| BF| D

3/1

Developed into a useful hurdler after switching to Willie Mullins, producing a career best when fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Unable to justify market confidence in this last year but still fared best of those ridden prominently. Obvious chance.

Form: 431/24-

(2)

Satin^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 96

50/1

Useful mare who ran as well as could have been expected in Group 3 at Leopardstown 5 weeks ago but not well-enough handicapped to be winning a race like this.

Form: 490-923

(6)

HMS President^v1⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 96| D

40/1

Useful sort who looked a little rusty back on the Flat after 8 weeks off when last of 6 at Kempton in February. Found only one too good in a Warwick novice hurdle the following month but was well held in a competitive Sandown handicap on most recent outing. Visor on for 1st time. RESERVE.

Form: 2120/0-6

Non-Runners

(5)

See Hector³⁷

Weight: 9-11| Age: 6

T: J A Osborne J: P J Dobbs

(16)

Caviar Heights²⁷²

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ethical Diamond (3/1), French Duke (4/1), Hand Of God (9/2), Almosh'her (7/1), Stressfree (7/1), Mutaawid (12/1), War Rooms (12/1), Caviar Heights (12/1), Mount Atlas (14/1), Siege Of Troy (16/1), Blue Lemons (22/1), Naqeeb (33/1), Auld Toon Loon (33/1), HMS President (40/1), Max Mayhem (50/1), Satin (50/1), Flight Leader (66/1), See Hector (66/1), Teumessias Fox (80/1), Brodure (100/1)

ETHICAL DIAMOND failed to land a gamble in this race 12 months ago, but he still fared best of those that raced up with the pace and what he has done over hurdles in the meantime suggests he remains well treated in this sphere. Hand of God made a low-key return at Newmarket but he's worth another chance having been most impressive at this meeting last year, with the unexposed Almosh'her and likeable Stressfree completing the shortlist.