16:40 Ascot

Saturday 18 October 2025

All12:5513:3014:0514:4515:2516:0516:40

Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By Qipco) (Str)

Off time: 16:44 | Winning time: 1m 39.43s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Holloway Boy¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 110| C| D

16/1

Smart performer who registered his first victory since his 2-y-o days when landing Group 3 Superior Mile at Haydock (1m) last summer. Placed on 3 of his 4 starts in Group company in Meydan earlier this year (final start best excused) but this looks a tough ask off top weight after 6 months off.

Form: 06-2320

(8)

Native Warrior^v¹⁴^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: James Doyle| T: K R Burke| OR: 103| C| D

4/1

Firmly back on the up since visored, producing a decidedly smart effort to make it 3 wins from his last 4 starts in Challenge Cup over 7f here 2 weeks ago. Evidently well suited by the demands of these big field scenarios and a 6 lb penalty shouldn't prevent another bold showing.

Form: 921311

(19)

Godwinson⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103| BF| D

25/1

Enhanced his good record fresh when bagging the Lincoln at Doncaster in March and improved again to follow up at Newcastle (1m) in June. Best not judged too harshly on his 2 runs in August and a subsequent 7-week break ought to have put him spot on for a tilt at this (finished midfield last year).

Form: 00-1150

(18)

Witch Hunter²⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Joe Leavy| T: R Hannon| OR: 97| C

28/1

Useful course winner who was third in this race off a big weight 12 months ago. Ended lengthy losing run from reduced mark in 12-runner handicap at Newcastle (7f) 20 days ago and whilst this is more demanding under a penalty, the fact he's often gone well here is a definite plus.

Form: 006761

(1)

Ebt's Guard²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 102| CD

10/1

Bagged Spring Cup at Newbury in April and resumed winning ways in Shergar Cup Mile here in August. Good third over C&D next time and shaped as if still in form whilst suggesting he was at the limit of his stamina when sixth in last month's Cambridgeshire (9f). Career-high mark to defy now, though.

Form: 752138

(5)

Cerulean Bay⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

9/1

4-y-o who has taken his form up a notch switched to Goodwood's unique track, landing back-to-back 1m handicaps, latterly in fairly straightforward fashion 6 days ago. More on his plate under a penalty but he's gone well here previously and this thriving sort can't be discounted in hat-trick bid.

Form: 702211

(17)

Golden Mind^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 100

33/1

Solid display when fourth in the International here in July and following an ease in the weights, he capitalised at Newcastle (7f) a month later. Excuses at Chester next time (poorly drawn) but he was below best without an obvious excuse back at Newcastle 20 days ago.

Form: 046100

(7)

Great Acclaim^p1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 100| D

25/1

Right back on form since blinkered, including a Glorious Goodwood win at the end of July. Remained at the top of his game since, 3 lengths fourth of 15 to Native Warrior in handicap at this course (7f, soft) 14 days ago. Cheekpieces now the headgear of choice and he's equally effective at 1m.

Form: 711224

(4)

Arisaig²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: C Johnston| OR: 99| D

14/1

Largely consistent filly who ran well when third in Celebration Mile at Goodwood in August and far from discredited when third in listed Rosemary Stakes at Newmarket (1m) 3 weeks ago. Career-high mark to defy back in a handicap but she's an each-way player nevertheless.

Form: 202533

(11)

Fifth Column^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102| D

12/1

Different model since being gelded, winning strong 1m 3-y-o handicaps at the Newmarket July and York Ebor meetings. Didn't find things panning out ideally from stand side draw when midfield in last month's Cambridgeshire and strong suspicion we've yet to see all he has to offer. Interesting.

Form: 171510

(21)

Hafeet Alain¹⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Ashley Lewis⁽⁵⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 98| D

50/1

Useful performer who is a credit to connections and looked as good as ever following 6 months off when winning 12-runner Whitsun Cup at Sandown (1m) in May. That form was certainly solid enough and his record when fresh is an obvious plus for all this is undoubtedly tougher.

Form: 44467-1

(14)

Shout⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 100| CD

6/1

Twice a 6f winner at 2 yrs who got back on the up to some tune taking on his elders for the first time when impressively taking 17-runner C&D handicap 6 weeks ago. Hit with a 9 lb rise for that but he remains relatively low-mileage and there could yet be more to come.

Form: 1-23071

(23)

Crown Of Oaks³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 99| BF| C

5/1

Progressive son of Wootton Bassett who was successful on first 2 starts in 1¼m handicaps and ran respectably whilst possibly finding quick turnaround taking the edge off him when third of 21 in handicap at the Curragh (10f) 5 weeks ago. Very much remains with potential including back at 1m.

Form: 3-33113

(9)

Orandi^t⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: D Egan| T: A J Martin| OR: 96| D

28/1

Won at Curragh in March before finishing an excellent third behind Godwinson in the Lincoln at Doncaster later that month. Seen only twice at the Galway Festival since, a 5-day turnaround a plausible excuse when down the field over 7f in August. Type to bounce back.

Form: 23-1339

(22)

Oliver Show^t,p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 96| D

22/1

Quirky but talented performer who has done his winning on AW. However, just as good on turf, as his in-the-frame efforts in big-field Doncaster handicaps this year would indicate. Not seen to best effect behind Witch Hunter at Newcastle latest and he's another each-way candidate.

Form: 220847

(20)

Greek Order^p1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jack Callan⁽⁵⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 96| D

25/1

Underperformed during US stint but quickly found top form back in Britain, hitting the frame in a trio of top-end handicaps (including Royal Hunt Cup). However, he does now need to shrug off disappointing runs at York/Newmarket. Cheekpieces go on.

Form: 443400

(6)

Theoryofeverything^t⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| CD

33/1

C&D winner who scored at Ayr (1m) in July and proved at least as good as ever when runner-up back over that C&D on penultimate start. Ran creditably when 2½ lengths fifth behind stablemate Cerulean Bay in handicap at Goodwood (1m) 6 days ago and forecast easier ground in his favour here.

Form: 150725

(13)

Bobby Bennu^h⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 95| D

22/1

Successful 3 times last year and has displayed form akin to that level on 2 of his last 3 starts, respectable 5 lengths fifth of 20 to Native Warrior in handicap (18/1) at this course (7f, good) 42 days ago. Interesting if this step up in trip unlocks some progress (successful only start at 7.5f)

Form: 1-38255

(10)

Tribal Chief^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S M Levey| T: D Menuisier| OR: 94| D

16/1

Won 4 handicaps last season and firmly back on the up when scoring at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) 2 starts ago. Latest down the field effort in the Cambridgeshire (9f) has to go down as disappointing, so bounce back called for now.

Form: 209610

(3)

Bopedro^v⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: Mark Winn| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

22/1

On a long losing run but he's a regular in top-end handicaps, running yet another creditable race when fourth in 17-runner contest at York (7.9f) 8 days ago, keeping on well. Probably set for another minor role here, though.

Form: 002944

Forecasts

Native Warrior (4/1), Crown Of Oaks (5/1), Shout (6/1), Cerulean Bay (9/1), Ebt's Guard (10/1), Fifth Column (12/1), Arisaig (14/1), Holloway Boy (16/1), Tribal Chief (16/1), Bopedro (22/1), Oliver Show (22/1), Bobby Bennu (22/1), Greek Order (25/1), Godwinson (25/1), Great Acclaim (25/1), Orandi (28/1), Witch Hunter (28/1), Theoryofeverything (33/1), Golden Mind (33/1), Hafeet Alain (50/1)

NATIVE WARRIOR took his record to 3-4 since the visor went on and improved another chunk in the process when impressively taking another big field 7f handicap at this course 2 weeks ago. He may well not have done improving on that evidence and with the return to 1m holding no fears, another bold showing looks firmly on the cards. The most potent dangers may emerge from the 3-y-o brigade, with Crown of Oaks and Fifth Column heading them up along with Shout. Cerulean Bay is another to consider.