Saturday 13th June 2026
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday blog, in what is a very competitive and tough-looking afternoon. I’ve got four selections on the day, the first of which is coming in the 1.50 at York, which is the Queen Mother’s Cup, a Class 3 handicap over a mile and four furlongs. I’ve come down on CHILLINGHAM here for Micky Hammond and Becky Smith. He was second past the post in this race twelve months ago and was later awarded the race; notably, that effort came off a six-pound higher mark, suggesting that he’s very well-handicapped this time around. If he returns to the form of last year’s run, he has to be considered a player to go well again. The unexposed Secret Force is a big danger for Adrian Keatley, and Arqoob is also a danger, and is expected to build on his seasonal reappearance.
I head over to Sandown for my second selection of the day, and the 2.42, which is the Listed Scurry Stakes that’s contested over five furlongs. I’m quite strong on the chances of WORDS OF TRUTH for Charlie Appleby, who’s required the services of Oisin Murphy, which is a big plus. He was highly progressive last term as a two-year-old, culminating with success in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. He was narrowly beaten at a short price in Meydan when he was last seen; however, I still think that he’s the best horse in this field, and if he’s anywhere near his best, he could prove tough to beat. His stablemate Military Code is possibly his biggest danger under Billy Loughnane, and there could be more to come from Lady Youmzain for Kevin Ryan.
Next up for me will be the 3.00 at York, and this is more Listed action in the form of the Grand Cup Stakes over a mile and six furlongs. I’ve come down on MOUNT ATLAS here for the team of Andrew Balding and William Buick. He’s a strong travelling sort, who was only half a length behind the current favourite for this race, Al Qareem, on his seasonal reappearance at Musselburgh, before posting an excellent second to Jan Brueghel in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester’s May Festival on his most recent appearance. There should be a race of this nature in him, and I think that he can be bang on the premises here under Buick. Al Qareem is an obvious danger; he won this race last year and often gives a bold account of himself.
My fourth and final selection of the afternoon comes within the 3.17 at Sandown, a Class 2 handicap over a mile. I think that there should be significant amounts of improvement still to come from RAAMMEE for Roger Varian and Ray Dawson. He looked like a highly promising prospect when winning back-to-back novice events last year, the latter by a wide margin, and whilst he couldn’t reward favourite backers on his handicap debut on seasonal reappearance at this track last month, he still ran a solid race when finishing fourth behind Boyfriend. He should take a big step forward coming into his second start of the campaign here, and there’s every chance he can get a lot closer. Beagle Bay is a big player at the top of the market for Ralph Beckett on the back of his win last time out at Yarmouth, and High Degree should also continue to progress for William Haggas.
Saturday Selections
13/06/2026
1.50 York
CHILLINGHAM – (11/2) (Each-Way)
2.42 Sandown
WORDS OF TRUTH – (9/4) (Win) (NAP)
3.00 York
MOUNT ATLAS – (3/1) (Win)
3.17 Sandown
RAAMMEE – (4/1) (Win) (NB)
