By Paul Jones Tuesday, June 16 Ascot Stakes With 13 of the last 17 winners sent off at no bigger than 14/1 and, in the last 36 years, as a many as 23 winners could be found in the first six in the betting, the Ascot Stakes has been the most punter-friendly handicap of the meeting, though not quite so much of late with 66/1 and 20/1 (x2) winners in the last six years. There used to be a bigger draw angle when there were bigger fields of 30 than since the safety factor was cut to 20 but it still has an effect as low numbers have fared best with seven of the last nine winners drawn no higher than stall 7, notably in 2022 when the 1-2-3-4 emerged from the seven lowest stalls and the first six were drawn no higher than 11 in 2021. The Irish supplied the 1-2-3-4 with Joseph O’Brien responsible for all three of the placed runners, all from wide-drawn runners. This has contributed to the Irish winning half of the last 14 runnings but they were not allowed to travel over for the 2020 running due to Covid regulation for non-Class 1 races so that record reads even better. Willie Mullins has won four runnings since 2012 and has also saddled four runners-up including twice in the last five years. In fact, when Lagostovegas won eight years ago, she led home a Mullins-trained 1-2-4-5. Another mare, Ahorsewithnoname, was following up her victory at the Cheltenham Mares’ Day in April for Nicky Henderson when successful three years ago thus becoming the fifth successful filly or mare in the last 18 years from low representation. Fillies/mares have also finished second in the last three of the last six runnings. It should be pointed out that virtually every trainer holds both a flat and jumps licence but I like to particularly look at trainers better known for their jumps horses with Willie Mullins (x4), Nicky Henderson, Henry de Bromhead, Charles Byrnes, Jonjo O’Neill, David Pipe, Alan King, Suzy Smith, Paul Webber, Tony Martin (x2 and two more placed) and Jarlath Fahey all better known for jump racing taking this prize this century and Martin Pipe won it four times between 1993-2003. Ian Williams is equally adept at both codes and can also boast a couple of Ascot Stakes wins in the last six years. In addition to Ahorsewithnoname, the runner-up in 2021 and 2022 plus the 1-2 in 2020 had been running over hurdles during the winter. The Ascot Stakes used to be very much a race in which to concentrate on four and five-year-olds but nine of the last 12 winners were aged between six and nine (six of which were trained in Ireland). Prior to those Irish-trained victories, 15 of the previous 19 winners emerged from that 4-5 age bracket. Horses carrying less than 9st had been responsible for approximately 50% of the total runners between 1996-2008 but only won on three occasions but, in the last few years, the weights have been so much more compressed that very few horses have run off below 9st and the class acts are coming to the fore. For example, The Grand Visir overcame top weight seven years ago and three other winners going back to 2012 carried 9st 10lb. In 2020 the top weight, Verdana Blue, finished second under 9st 10lb with the second-top weight, Summer Moon, finishing third and in 2023 it was a 1-2-3 for horses in the top six in the handicap. Positives: * Trained by a primarily jumps-based stable * Trained in Ireland (notably Willie Mullins) * Mares * Drawn in the lower half (preferably lower third) * Start in the first six in the betting Negatives: * British-trained contenders aged older than five * Likely to be sent off at over 14/1 Copper Horse Handicap Run for the first time in 2020, this handicap for older horses rated 0-105 over an extended 1m6f needs time for trends to bed in and could be an insightful guide to Ebor Handicap again. Five of the six winners came from the narrow ratings band of 99-101. That certainly proved to be the case in the first year when the successful favourite, Fujaira Prince, then also justified favouritism at York on his next start and, in 2023, Absurde then went one place better in the Ebor than when he was second to his stablemate, Vauban, here. So, clearly, we must respect any Willie Mullins-trained entries, especially as he won it again in 2024 with Beloccio. After French Master justified favouritism last season giving the Gosden’s their second win in the race, the favourite or second-favourite has won four of the six runnings but it was a couple of 33/1 outsiders that fought out the second running before Get Shirty beat the Chester Cup winner and strong favourite, Cleveland, in the third edition and that winner then subsequently hit the frame in the Ebor. In the first running the 1-2-3 all came from the bottom half of the handicap (as did three of the first four in 2021) but higher-weighted horses dominated in 2023 with four of the first five emanating from the top eight in the handicap and it was a mixed bag that won and filled the places for the last two years so no real early steer there. High-drawn numbers certainly fared best in 2024 as the first eight horses were drawn 12+. If you think that’s a coincidence then maybe think again as in 2022 the 1-2-3-4 emerged out of stalls 16-9-19-14 whereas the horses that filled the last three positions were drawn 1-4-3. There is a very short run indeed to the first bend so this came as a surprise and in contrast to previous Queen’s Vases over the same trip. With just six runnings to work off there are no individual race trends to speak of but three of the six winners were seasonal debutants. The only other point of interest from the first running was, although the winner was aged six, four-year-olds filled the next five places from their six runners. In 2022 four-year-olds again collectively fared well finishing first, third and fourth and they were responsible for six of the first seven home last season. Positives: * The front pair in the market * BHA Rated 99-101 * Trained by Willie Mullins or John & Thady Gosden * Drawn in double figures * Four-year-olds * Seasonal debutants Negatives: * None Wednesday, June 17 Royal Hunt Cup Four and five-year-olds make up the lion's share of runners (usually around 75%) but given that combined they have won 36 of the last 40 runnings, they have been over-performing so I am more than happy to overlook any horse aged six and upwards. To narrow it down further, four-year-olds have a significant edge over their year-older rivals. In fact, four-year-olds realised a 1-2-3 in three of the last six runnings following on from a 1-2-3-4-5-6 in both 2016 and 2017 plus a 1-2-4 in 2018 and the 1-2 last year so that seems to be as good a statistical starting point as any. Previous straight-course form at Ascot has proved to be an important factor in recent times and the Victoria Cup at the May Meeting has been the best guide providing an ideal springboard for nine of the last 31 Hunt Cup winners. Last season’s winner, My Cloud, won at the Ascot April Meeting two starts before becoming the shortest-priced Royal Hunt Cup winner in history at 3/1. Overall, it’s been a pretty good handicap for punters with 15 winners in the last 32 years being sent off in the first four in the betting. Not bad for almost 50% of winners in that long period of time to be one of the four shortest-priced fancies given that around 30 runners face the starter. Given those SP stats it is no surprise that 20 of the last 27 winners won or finished second earlier in the campaign. Outside of Ascot form, the Lincoln remains of some interest with four of the last 24 Hunt Cup winners having contested the season's traditional first big betting race of the season, though only one of that successful quartet ran into a place at Doncaster. A couple of fairly recent winners contested the Whitsun Cup at Sandown and the 2023 winner was following up his victory in the Spring Cup at Newbury.   Three of the last 18 winners were wearing some kind of new headgear for the first time (as was last the 2023 runner-up) including two of Saeed bin Suroor’s three winners since 2010. James Fanshawe is a trainer to note on the straight-course races at Royal Ascot and his record in this race passes the closest scrutiny having won it twice and he has had five other runners since the turn of the century also make the frame. Charlie Hills also has two successes and both were achieved in the last seven years. As for the Irish, two wins in the last ten years from limited runners mean that we have to take them seriously. As far as weight carried is concerned, only one winner has carried more than 9st 5lb (though five carried exactly that weight) since 1980 and when Governorship won in 1988, he was carrying just 1lb higher. A U-turn has occurred in the last decade or so with regards horses saddled with under or over 9st. Going with the ‘unders’ was a must up until 2008 as just two winners since 1989 carried more than 9st to victory but 15 of the last 19 winners carried 9st+, though that is now reflective of the fact more horses have carried over 9st than otherwise in recent years. With regards to the draw, what happens earlier in the week is often the best guide with regards to the straight course..….until they water that is. Positives: * Four-year-olds * Previous quality straight-track Ascot form * Carrying 9st+ * Irish-trained * Respect Charlie Hills, James Fanshawe and Saeed bin Suroor * First four in the market * New headgear Negatives: * Aged 6+ * Set to carry 9st 6lb+ Kensington Palace Stakes This will be the sixth running of this handicap for fillies and mares aged four and above so trends need much time to bed in and especially as the first three runnings took place on the Round Course and the last two on the Straight Course to muddy the waters further for trends followers, hence the lack of pointers in the trends summary. All five winners started at double-figure odds and just one favourite has hit the frame. The first running went the way of the David Loughnane-trained Lola Showgirl under 5lb apprentice Laura Pearson who was following up a victory at the Dante Meeting. Four of the five winners had won earlier in the season. In fact, Loughnane also saddled the runner-up for good measure and both could be found at the foot of the handicap. Very few got into it with the 1-2 very handy throughout - the winner making virtually all on the Round Course but the race now takes place up the straight mile. The second edition witnessed Rising Star cause a 40/1 surprise. In fact, the 1-2-3 were priced at 22/1+ and for the second year running Ralph Beckett’s only runner finished fourth but he went three places better with Doha in 2024. In between those contests, the third running went to Ireland courtesy of the Jessica Harrington-trained Villanova Queen who proved to be another hard to find at 25/1 and both of Joseph O’Brien’s fillies also ran well in fourth and fifth, both only beaten 1¼l. The Gavin Cromwell-trained Snellen finished second for the Irish last year. The vast majority of contenders so far have been four-year-olds including all 18 runners in 2021 so no real age angle. Positives: * Won earlier in the season * Trained by Ralph Beckett or David Loughnane Negatives: * Start at single-figure odds Thursday, June 18 King George V Stakes A handicap for three-year-olds over 1m4f, with regards to the draw, high numbers have certainly fared best in the last two years with the 1-2s drawn 20-21 and 18-19. In fact, 12 of the 15 winners emerged from a double-digit stall since revised numbering took place in 2011. We had a royal winner three years ago as Desert Hero got up late on to win at 18/1 having previously finished eighth on his seasonal debut as favourite for the London Gold Cup at Newbury. Eight of the last 17 winners could be found in the top three in the betting. He carried 8st 13lb to success and it’s not been a great race for the top weights with just five winners carrying over 9st since 2001 (one of those was when they were responsible for 16 of the 19 runners in a much more compressed handicap than usual) and when Elite Army managed that he was carrying only 1lb above that threshold. In terms of BHA Ratings, the sweet spot for this 0-105 handicap has been 90-95 which has featured nine of the last ten winners. With 18 of the last 33 winners failing to win as a two-year-old, we should be looking towards the later-developing types. The 2022 winner was even unraced at two. The more lightly-raced the individual, the more interested we should be and also respect the value of a good run last time out as 34 of the last 37 winners either won or finished placed on their most recent start. Five of the last 20 winners had won a handicap at Sandown. Ten of the last 12 winners had struck earlier in the season (one of those not to being in Covid year when Royal Ascot was just two weeks into the turf season). William Haggas has sent out two of the last three winners. Aidan O’Brien saddled the 1-2-3 in 2019 which was a nice way for him to break his duck in the race. However, it is the Johnston stable that leads the way with six successes and they have also supplied six close-up placed runners, the latest being their subsequent Ascot Gold Cup winner, Subjectivist. Can Charlie Johnston carry on the good work from his father? The Middleham-based outfit like to come at this race multiple-handed whereas Godolphin have been more circumspect regards runners yet they owned the winner in 2014, supplied the 1-2 in 2015 and then Secret State four years ago.  Harry Charlton’s contenders also deserve a second look as Roger Charlton’s Atty Persse in 2017 added to the victory of Source Of Light in 1992 and in between three of his other six runners made the frame. Positives: * Drawn in double figures * BHA Rated 90-95 * First three in the betting * The more lightly-raced the better * A maiden at the start of the campaign * Won a Sandown handicap * Trained by William Haggas * Owned by Godolphin Negatives: * Carrying over 9st * Finished outside the first three last time out * Failed to win earlier in the season Britannia Stakes Featuring approximately 30 three-year-olds, the majority of which are unexposed and from top yards, for my money the Britannia Stakes is the most competitive (though not impossible) three-year-old handicap of the season and, for the last few seasons, off-course bookmakers have given their profits on the Britannia to charities. It has actually been a fair race for favourites with six of the last 27 obliging in such a big field. In fact, 23 of the last 35 winners could be found in the first half-dozen in the betting so this isn’t punter’s nightmare that many believe to be the case. An emerging pattern is that nine of the last 15 winners won a handicap on their previous start which is in stark contrast to the previous nine runnings when beaten horses on their previous start came out on top. Last season, however, Arabian Story became the first horse to win for 28 years directly off the back of a win in a maiden race. Eight of the last ten winners had won earlier in the season. The 2015 winner, War Envoy, had previously finished last in the French Derby so he had a most unusual profile for a Britannia winner. Aidan O’Brien’s charge was certainly not a trends horse therefore and that included on the weight front too at the time as he carried 9st 6lb. Six of the last 11 winners have now carried over 9st, though two of the last eight winners crept in as the bottom weight and the 2024 contest was dominated by the lowly-weighted horses so no real weight angle. As for official ratings, though, heading into this 0-105 contest between 90-95 has been a good place to be featuring eight of the last ten winners. Last season’s race was totally dominated by the draw with the first five home drawn 29-30-28-27-31. Like with many major straight-course handicaps, it often pays to look very low or very high as 13 of the last 27 winners were drawn no more than five positions off either rail. Although Ostilio may have been drawn 15 when he won eight years ago, he soon led the main group in a clear lead against the near rail and never looked like being caught under another Sylvestre de Sousa front-running masterclass. Some viewed Saga as an unfortunate runner-up in 2022 so it’s been a while since John Gosden last saddled the winner but it is still worth noting that going back to and including 1994, he has trained four winners, two seconds and four thirds. Significantly, all four of his winners ended their juvenile season without a victory and also failed to break their maiden tag at first time of asking as a three-year-old. James Fanshawe is another name to consider with a winner and three placed horses from his last four runners. It is not often that I give jockey trends but, for a massive-field handicap, it is some achievement for Jamie Spencer to have ridden the winner on four occasions since 2003, underlining that he’s probably the best exponent of the hold-up ride in big-field, straight-course handicaps at Ascot. Positives: * Won a handicap last time out * First six in the market (the favourite also has a solid record) * BHA Rated 90-95 * Drawn in the lowest or highest five stalls * Trained by John & Thady Gosden or James Fanshawe * Ridden by Jamie Spencer Negatives: * Yet to win this season Buckingham Palance Stakes The last two favourites both proved to be the handicap good things predicted, notably Never So Brave last season who two starts later won at Group 1 level. English Oak also justified favouritism in 2024 but the last single-figure-priced winner was way back in 2005 when Jedburgh won when the meeting was transferred to York. Okay, the Buckingham Palace Stakes’ services were not required between 2015-2019 until it was brought back for Covid year but that was still a streak of 13 straight runnings where the winner was sent off at double-figure odds. So, this is a race where you might want to open up your mind. In fact, one of those was even Highfield Princess who then dropped in trip and went on to become Champion Sprinter the following season with three Group 1 wins. From the first 19 runnings, I would argue that it the weakest trends handicap of the meeting (bar the new races introduced in the last six years of course) with winners coming from many ages and all over the handicap so we are very thin on pattern-based angles. Often you can gloss over handicappers aged six and upwards in hot handicaps as they are thoroughly exposed but horses aged 6+ have won five editions of the Buckingham Palace. However, since the race was brought back six years ago, four-year-olds have won the full lot. This includes filling five of the first six places from just eight representatives in a 23-runner field in 2020 and then registering a 1-2-3 in 2021, a 1-3-5-6 in 2022 before a 1-3-4 in 2023 and the 1-2-4 in 2025 so that would be my statistical starting point if you don’t fancy wading through The Form Book for a large field of middling handicappers Five of the six winners since the race returned to Royal Ascot were drawn 24+. The draw can be helpful as a middle draw in big-field, straight course handicaps isn’t usually a positive. The 2014 winner was drawn close to the stands’ rail with the previous year’s winner drawn right up against it. Centrally-drawn horses have struggled in the last 11 runnings with winners coming from stalls 29, 6, 29, 30, 11, 32, 29, 26, 2, 24, 26 and 28. Last season’s running was dominated by high numbers with the first six drawn 25+. Ascot form is a plus and English Oak had only been beaten a neck at the course the previous autumn. The 2022 winner, Inver Park, won at the course the previous season and had Ascot stalwart, Ropey Guest, at 40/1 back in second. The winner back in 2013 (the fifth-last running) was second in the big-field handicap for lady riders on King George Day the previous season, the 2012 winner finished fifth in the Royal Hunt Cup the previous season, the 2011 winner was second in the Victoria Cup, the 2010 winner was fifth in a Coventry Stakes, the 2009 winner had finished third in a £100K 7f handicap at the course the previous season and the 2007 winner was third in the previous season’s renewal. Excluding the Covid year, seven of the last ten winners were having their at least their fourth start of the season. In fact, Witch Hunter was having his eighth run of the year when he was successful for Hannon and Spencer (the Ascot straight course go-to jockey). Eight of the last ten winners carried 9st+ but the majority of the field are likely to do that these days. Positives: * Drawn 24+ * Quality Ascot handicap form * Ran 3+ times earlier in the season * Don’t be afraid of big prices Negatives: * Non four-year-olds Friday, June 19 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Last season’s winner, Ethical Diamond, then went on to win the Ebor and Breeders’ Cup Turf on his next two starts so he is now rated 24lb higher so little wonder he had enough to hand to win from a single-figure draw. Up until 2024, horses drawn 9+ had won 13 consecutive runnings since the switch of stall numbers so don’t be put off arguments suggesting that higher-drawn horses are up against it over this 1m4f trip. In fact, it was a 1-2-3-4-5 for horses drawn 9+ in 2023 and the previous season witnessed five of the first six drawn in double-figure stalls. Moreover, in 2017 the 1-2-4 were drawn 19, 18, 17 just a year after a 1-2-3 for runners drawn 19, 13 and 15. Our ideal contender will be a four or five-year-old arriving here off the back of a victory and drawn in double figures - three strong trends for this handicap over 1m4f for older horses which produced just two qualifiers in 2022 and they went to provide the wide-margin winner, Candleford, and third. In addition, the 2019 and 2021 winners also hit all three trends square on the head when giving Hughie Morrison and Mark Johnston their fourth wins in this race. A fourth strong trend for a competitive handicap is that half of the last 14 winners started favourite or joint-favourite. The Irish have won the last three runnings having previously been successful in 2000. Four-year-olds have historically fared best and they filled seven of the first eight places in 2019. However, two years earlier Rare Rhythm led home a 1-2-3 for five-year-olds following on from a 1-2-3-4 for the same age group in 2016. Prior to that, four-year-olds supplied seven of the first eight places in 2015, the first eight horses home in 2014 and six of the first seven in 2013. However, we did have our fourth six-year-old winner in 2024 in the last 36 years. Last-time-out winners hold the call having been responsible for over half the winners in the last 31 years (16-15) which is an excellent return given they supply, on average, around 25% of the total runners. Candleford was the second winning seasonal debutant in seven years when successful in 2022. Of the last 11 winners to have run earlier this season, eight had already won. Given the handicap has become much more condensed of late, weight stats have started to become irrelevant in a race where it usually paid to oppose those towards the lower end of the handicap. Positives: * Drawn 9+ * Last-time-out winners * The favourite * Trained by Hughie Morrison Charlie Johnston or in Ireland Negatives: * Aged six or older * Failed to win earlier this season (unless a seasonal debutant) Sandringham Handicap For the ninth year the Sandringham will be run as a standard handicap featuring around 30 runners rather than a Listed handicap so to all intents and purposes, it is basically now the fillies’ Britannia Stakes for three-year-olds. All bar two of the last 14 winners had run no more than twice earlier in the season. A race that suits later developers, 14 winners since 1995 started the season as a maiden. The Ed Walker-trained Agrotera became the first last-time-out maiden winner since 2000 when she justified favouritism eight years ago but very much look to last-time-out winners as they have supplied the winner on 17 occasions in the last 31 runnings. Walker then sent out last season’s winner, Never Let Go. Charlie Fellowes has also landed this race twice recently and with a 33/1 outsider both times. The Gosden stable have also recorded a brace of successes in the last ten years (and supplied last season’s runner-up) and Richard Hannon is another handler that has won a couple of runnings in the last 11 years (both were well fancied). Also note Michael Bell or Ed Dunlop given that they have also both won this race twice, though over a longer period of time. The Irish have won on three occasions going back to 2005 including a 1-2 in 2021. With only seven of the last 31 winners not being sent off in the front half-dozen in the market, it has been one of the better handicaps at the meeting for punters. Twenty-one of those had visited the Winner's Enclosure at some point earlier in the campaign and one of those not to score earlier in the campaign was having her seasonal debut. The Classic trials of the Nell Gwyn and Pretty Polly have been worth noting. Five fairly recent winners ran in the 1000 Guineas trial including Osaila who completed the Nell Gwyn-Sandringham double in 2015. Two recent Sandringham winners were also placed in the Oaks trial so were dropping back in distance. Jamie Spencer has ridden the winner on four occasions going back to 2006 underlining the view held by many that he is the best exponent of how to ride a hold-up horse in big handicaps on the straight course at Ascot. However, he trails Frankie Dettori by three winners having won it eight times, which is some going for a big-field handicap. Six of the last 14 winners emerged from stalls 1-5 but, more interestingly, nine of the last 15 winners were drawn no more than four positions away from either rail. Positives: * Last-time-out winner * Trained by Ed Walker, Charlie Fellowes, Richard Hannon, John & Thady Gosden, Ed Dunlop or Michael Bell * First six in the market * Drawn in the lowest or highest four stalls * Maiden at the start of the season * Finished in the first five in the Nell Gwyn Stakes or placed in the Pretty Polly Stakes * Ridden by Jamie Spencer Negatives: * More than two runs this season Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes This will be the seventh running of this 5f handicap for three-year-olds rated 0-105 so more evidence is required but already four quite interesting areas are worth throwing into the argument. Very early days of course but only two horses from the top six in the weights has finished any better than sixth in its six editions. Five of the six winners were also towards the fore in the betting for a big-field sprint handicap returning with an SP of no bigger than 12/1. In fact, the 2023 1-2-3-4 were priced up at no bigger than 12s and four of the first six in the betting finished in the first five in 2021. And as for the first running, the favourite beat the second-fav into second with the third-fav finishing third. Maybe a handicap to chance a few at the front of the market in combined exactas and trifectas? The first four runnings have also favoured horses drawn high (25-16-17-20, 11-21-26-28 and 24-22-20-23) and in the inaugural running the 6/4 favourite in a 21-runner handicap, Art Power, scorched to victory by 3l where stands’ side was the place to be again (19-21-11-20). It helped of course that he went on to be future Group 1 winner! Only one horse drawn in single figures featured in the top 10 places in 2024 and last season’s winner was also drawn high. Another interesting aspect of the full result of the inaugural running was that although fillies were outnumbered 2:1 they finished second, third, fourth and fifth. They also were responsible for the second and third in 2022 and then Adriestia won for them last year. Four of the six winners had won earlier in the season and the last five winners were rated between 87-92. Positives: * Priced up to 12/1 * Fillies * Won earlier in the season * BHA Rated 87-92 Negatives: * Top six in the handicap * Drawn in single figures Saturday, June 20 Workingham Handicap If Get It can follow up off a 2lbs higher mark than last season then he would become the sixth dual winner since the race’s inception in 1813, the first of which was in 1882-82 and he was called, erm, Wokingham! Unlike in some straight-course handicaps at Royal Ascot, a middle draw hasn’t been a negative in the Wokingham of late. Far from it in fact with six of the last seven winners being drawn between 10-16. Moreover, when Unequal Love won from stall 1, she raced down the centre. On the age front, the best advice is to stick to four and five-year-olds that have won 22 of the last 27 runnings between them and supplied seven of the first eight home in 2024. However, five years ago Rohaan became the first three-year-old to win since Bel Byou triumphed in 1987, though in fairness, they only average a couple of runners per renewal, if that now. His task was also eased somewhat by as many as nine non-runners on unsuitable heavy ground. He then followed up 12 months later as a four-year-old. Looking at the older horses, although many sprinters improve as they get older, it came as a shock to see Out Do win at 25/1 in 2017 at the age of eight given that only the Jack Berry-trained seven-year-old, Selhurstparkflyer (1997), who had also won the previous year’s Wokingham, had struck for horses aged over six from the 1900s onwards. Get It then overcame those stats as a seven-year-old fending off the hot favourite, More Thunder, when following up his course-and-distance win the previous month. Of the last 12 winners, the only trio to have won earlier in the season had done so here at Ascot. In-form horses have held sway with 22 of the last 29 winners finishing in the first four last time and one of those that didn’t was Laddies Poker Two who was arriving here off a 610-day absence when landing a big gamble. It has also proven wise to look to lightly-raced sprint handicappers as far as the current season is concerned with 17 of the last 24 winners running no more than twice earlier in the campaign. No strong individual race guides but it is worth noting three of the last 13 winners had finished second at the Dante Meeting at York on their previous start. Roger Charlton’s record caught the eye having supplied a winner, second and five other top-six finishes in recent seasons so look out for Harry Charlton’s runners. Paul Cole has the best record of current-day trainers in terms of winners saddling the victor in 1977, 1980 and 1987 and is enjoying a resurgence joint holding the licence with son, Oliver. Five winning favourites this century is a fair return for such a competitive sprint handicap (though just one in the last 14 years since Laddies Poker Two) but as the quality of horse require to run in the Wokingham is higher now than ever before so previous weight and official rating stats are rendered pretty much irrelevant as we are no longer dealing with like for like. Positives: * Four and five-year-olds * Ran no more than twice earlier in the season * Won at Ascot earlier in the season * Ran well at the Dante Meeting * The favourite * Trained by Harry Charlton or Oliver Cole Negatives: * Aged older than six * Unplaced last time out * Last-time-out winner (unless at Ascot) Golden Gates Handicap This will be the seventh running of this handicap over 1m2f for three-year-olds rated 0-105 (though horses rated 106-107 are also eligible) so trends will need time to bed in. So far horses drawn high in the higher half have fared best. They have been responsible for the 1-2-3 in 2022 and 2023 (in fact the 2022 1-2-3 were drawn as high as 15+) and the previous two winners were drawn 13 and 16. In 2024 they supplied the 1-2 and last year four of the first five were drawn 14+. The first running was won by the Paul and Oliver Cole-trained top weight, Highland Chief, who was drawn widest of all from stall 16 and went on to contest the Derby which took place a month later than normal. He went on to be trained in America and won the Grade 1 Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park. Foxes Tails was another winner that went onto Group-race success as did Missed The Cut as he later won three Grade 3 races in America and then Burdett Road struck in a Listed race so the first four winners all went on to win at pattern-class level and place in the Champion Hurdle. No great steer on weight-carried stats but the top weight showed his class to win the inaugural running and in 2024 the two highest-weighted horses finished second and third. Highland Chief was winning on his seasonal in Covid year so just two weeks into the turf season whereas the other five winners had all won earlier in the campaign. He was comfortably the highest-rated winner as was successful off 101 but the five subsequent winners entered the race rated between 90-95 (four of which 90-93) Seven of the eight favourites (including three co-favs) have finished no worse than fourth and Hand Of God justified 9/4 favouritism two years ago. Positives: * Drawn in the higher half * Officially rated 90-93 Negatives: * Failed to win this season * Officially rated 96+ or below 90