Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 26th July 2025
Jaysella’s Saturday Selections from Ascot & York
Ascot
British EBF Crocker Bulteel ‘Confined’ Maiden Stakes (Colts & Geldings) 1.10
New Monarch
I guess that Andrew Balding’s New Monarch is going to be all the rage for the opener at Ascot. In fairness to this Acclamation colt, he was beaten by a good’un on his first run at Newbury, but can probably come on for that. Obviously, we’re going to have to run our eyes over Charlie Appleby’s pair of Words Of Truth and Harbor Lock, and I find it interesting that Charlie wasted no time in gelding Words Of Truth after his debut run, where he was far too free, so might be becalmed this time out, and William Buick on board makes me think that he’s the yard’s first string. Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Dark Shore cost a bit, so makes my shortlist too, but I reckon Oisin Murphy can make a King of new Monarch on his second run.
Sodexo Live! Princess Margaret Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 1.40
Flowerhead
Wow! Flowerhead. She absolutely outran her odds of 100/1 by miles when second to True Love in the Queen Mary at the Royal Do last month, coming home late from the far side group. There’s plenty about that run to like; she came from the unfavoured side of the draw for that Group 2, so this smaller field and ease in grade should help, and running on through the line in the Queen Mary makes me think she’ll get the extra furlong. I suppose George Scott’s Staya would be the big danger, while Richard Hughes’ Bella Lyra looks overpriced as an each-way shout, but it’s Flowerhead for me.
Longines Valiant Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 2.20
Cajole
I think that Cajole’s winning this, after hitting the bar in her last three runs, including here in the big field Sandringham Handicap last month. She was then tried in the Listed Coral Distaff at Sandown Park, where she chased down the favourite, Blue Bolt, to within a length, so in my book she’s every chance of winning this. John & Thady Gosden won this last year, but Cajole will have to be at her very best to beat Ralph Beckett’s Chantilly Lace, who of course was fifth in both the 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes here latest. That’s a big ask of Cajole, but I like William Buick in the driving seat to put in a big run, so Cajole to edge out Chantilly Lace, I think!
Moet & Chandon International Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 3.00
Classic
Tough one this, but I’m going to chance my arm with Richard Hannon’s Classic. He needs good ground, which he gets, and as he does like to get on with things, I’m not overly worried about dropping back a furlong in trip. You’ve gotta say that Akkadian Thunder is the one to watch out for, as he was closest to Never So Brave in the Buckingham Palace Stakes here at the Royal Do, and I’m gonna draw a line under his last run at Newmarket where he raced in the far side group to his disadvantage. A pretty big prize pot, so a hot hot Handicap, but I just can’t get away from Classic for the win. Everything crossed!
Betfred Handicap 3.35
Bullet Point
Straight to the point here I say, and Bullet Point’s going to make his mark on this! William Haggas’s yard is doing everything just right at the moment, and Bullet Point can add to the season’s tally, though I reckon Roger Varian’s Teroomm is going to make a race of it. The Iffraaj colt won his first three this term, before the quick ground was too much for him in the Britannia last month, but I reckon the going ain’t going to give Teroomm any plus points on Saturday, so Bullet Point can give him nearly a stone and still come out on top. Clive Cox’s Fearnot is one going the right way and might be in with a squeak, but I’m sticking with my Bullet Points!
King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1) 4.10
Calandagan (nb)
Can Can Calandagan do it for me in the King George and Queen Elizabeth? I think he can, but there’s a fly in the ointment, as they say, in the shape of Jan Brueghel, who of course beat Calandagan in a brilliant Coronation Cup at Epsom on the Derby meeting. Now, I’m telling you that this Jan Brueghel is a class horse, I mean, five from six starts, but Calandagan don’t know how to run a bad race, as I said in the Podcast with Barney earlier this week, and I also said that an any way Tricast looked tempting if enough stood at the final declaration stage, which hasn’t happened. But, but, the four I said for the Tricast do still stand, so Hardwicke Stakes winner Rebel’s Romance is right in the mix, and the filly Kalpana cannot be ruled out either. Of course, the Tricast can’t be done with a field of five, so Continuous is gonna make the pace for Jan Brueghel, but I’m thinking Calandagan can now back at Ascot. Please!
York
Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2) 2.40
Stanhope Gardens (nap)
Well, what a race! I’m going with Stanhope Gardens, who’s a Ghaiyyath colt, so really should be at his ideal trip at 10 furlongs. I’ve gotta tell you, I really, really am big on the Ghaiyyath progeny coming through, and put them on a galloping track like this and that’s where the sire’s strengths shine through. Now, Stanhope Gardens ran a decent race in the Derby to finish fifth, but that wasn’t a track that would obviously suit, so with the drop back to this distance, Ralph Beckett’s colt must have a huge chance. There’s been plenty of money down for Almaqam this week, and he’s gonna be there or thereabouts, and the classy Royal Champion completes my list, but it’s Stanhope Gardens for me.
