Saturday 4th October 2025
Sun Chariot Stakes Day
My first selection of the afternoon this Saturday comes from Newmarket, and in the 1.30, which is a Class 2 Premier Fillies’ Handicap over a mile and two furlongs. Morrophore should have a fine chance here for John & Thady Gosden, who’s the mount of William Buick. Connections have been patient with her, and that patience was rewarded last time out, where she won over course and distance in dominant style by just shy of five lengths. She should post a very bold bid to follow up here.
We move over to Ascot now for the 1.50, and this is the Listed Rous Stakes, which is contested over a distance of five furlongs. I’m fairly strong on the chances of Beautiful Diamond here for Karl Burke and Clifford Lee. She returned from a four-month break to win impressively at Ayr last month, taking a listed contest by two and a half lengths with the solid Star Of Mehmas in second. That was only her second start of the campaign, so she’s a lot fresher than most here. She’s also versatile ground-wise.
My third selection of the day comes within the 2.05 at Newmarket, and this is the Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, which is a valuable Class 2 event over seven furlongs. I find it hard to see too far past Half Sovereign here, who’s another one for Karl Burke and this time the mount of Sam James. She’s been a revelation this term, winning her last four outings, including a competitive nursery at Doncaster last time out, as well as a win on the July Course here on her penultimate start. She’s another who’s versatile when it comes to the ground, and she should take a lot of beating again.
Next up for me will be the 2.25 at Ascot, and this is the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes, which is run over a mile and four furlongs. Hamish & Al Qareem dominate the market here, and they are the experienced rivals with proven form. It would be no surprise to see either of those two win; however, I’ve taken a chance on the younger and potentially still improving contender here, and that’s Tenability for William Haggas and Daniel Muscutt. He’s won his last four starts, including back-to-back victories over course and distance within competitive handicaps. This requires more significant improvement, however, he could well be up for that challenge and I’ll chance him as an each-way play.
The feature race of the day comes up at 2.40 at Newmarket, and this is the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes for the fillies & mares over a mile. Similar to the Cumberland Lodge Stakes, we have two horses dominating the market here in Fallen Angel and Cinderella’s Dream, and again, it’d be no great shock to see either of those taste more top-level success here. However, like the previous race I looked at, I’m trying to take them on with a potential improver, and that’s Lady Of Spain for Roger Varian and Ray Dawson. She’s very lightly-raced for a four-year-old; however, she returned from a off to win the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown at the end of August. She defeated the reopposing Blue Bolt on that occasion, and the weights suggest that she should uphold that form here. She’s won all five of her starts to date, and I think that there’s every chance that she could take this step up in grade in her stride.
My penultimate selection of the day comes within the 3.00 at Ascot, and this is another Group 3 affair in the form of the Bengough Stakes over six furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Celandine in this ultra-competitive affair, who represents the team of Ed Walker and Kieran Shoemark. I’ve put her up in both of her last two starts, the first of which she was very narrowly denied in the Listed Queensferry Stakes at Chester, before finishing a respectable ninth in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes, and four and three-quarters of a length behind Asfoora. These are calmer waters for her, and the step back up to six furlongs should suit. The ground is a question mark; however, I still believe she’s worth chancing at the prices.
I’m staying at Ascot for my final pick of the day, and this takes place in the 3.35, which is the Challenge Cup, a Heritage Handicap that’s contested over seven furlongs. I’m staying loyal with another horse here who I’ve put up a few times this term, and that’s Purosangue for Andrew Balding, who’s the mount of Silvestre De Sousa on this occasion. He ran well when going off the 5/1 favourite for the Ayr Gold Cup a couple of weeks ago, finishing fourth of twenty-five, and just a length and a half behind the winner. The handicapper has once again given him a chance, lowering him two pounds for that run, and I still believe that there will be a big pot in him off his current mark.
1.30 Newmarket: Morrophore – 2/1 (Win)
1.50 Ascot: Beautiful Diamond – 5/2 (Win) (NAP)
2.05 Newmarket: Half Sovereign – 15/8 (Win) (NB)
2.25 Ascot: Tenability – 6/1 (Each-Way)
2.40 Newmarket: Lady Of Spain – 11/2 (Each-Way)
3.00 Ascot: Celandine – 11/1 (Each-Way) (4 places)
3.35 Ascot: Purosangue – 16/1 (Each-Way) (5 places)
