Golden Rules For Queen’s Prize Handicap

Hi all,

The clocks go forward an hour on Sunday, marking the return of lighter evenings—another sign that summer isn’t far away.

In Thursday’s column, I covered Saturday’s Doncaster ITV races. Today, I turn my attention to three Kempton races on ITV Racing.

Saturday at Kempton

Both the Queen’s Prize and Rosebery Handicaps are historic contests that were once run on turf at this time of year. Here’s some Pathe News footage from 1926 of the Queen’s Prize Handicap—a reminder of how racing crowds have changed! Watch here.

2:05 – Queen’s Prize Handicap (Class 2) – 2m

The Queen’s Prize isn’t quite the race it once was, but there’s decent prize money on offer.

Golden Rules has had training issues, with just eight career starts, but the 8-year-old was a close 2nd in the 2023 Northumberland Plate (from 2lb higher). He’s been off since but has won over C&D off a long break before.

Kamboo catches the eye with William Buick booked. He’s better on the all-weather and could be well-treated if his stamina holds.

Cool Party, a dual C&D winner, is now below his last winning mark. A positive ride from Silvestre De Sousa could bring the best out of him.

2:40 – Rosebery Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 3f

Max Mayhem, the 2023 winner, for his previous trainer, arrives just 15 days after a Meydan win. Now 4lb higher but can’t be ruled out.

Teumessias Fox is only 1lb above his last Kempton win and has strong form figures here (311). Both course wins have come over a furlong further, but he’s a strong traveller, so he should be fine here. He returns from a 182-day break but won off a similar layoff in March 2023. Osin Murphy booked and he’s high on my race shortlist.

3:15 – Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes (Listed) – 1m

Soprano, a Group 3 winner at Deauville and third in the Matron Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown is the right favourite. However, she makes her all-weather debut and faces several unexposed fillies who could be capable of better.

Shuwari, a runner-up in the Fillies' Mile (G1) at two, missed all last season. Won first time up as as a juvenile and if anywhere close to her 2-year-old form would have strong claims on all-weather debut

That wraps up my Kempton preview.

Friday Racing – Fontwell

The Smith And Western Chase Series Final (Handicap Chase) (3:45) is the most valuable race of the day, offering £40,000 in prize money. Like last weekend’s ‘Go North’ Finals, it’s a great initiative for lower-rated handicap chasers.

Good Friday Fairy improved to win at Wincanton (2m 4f) last month and followed up at Taunton (2m 6f) soon after. Up another 6lb and dropping back in trip again, but in top form. A solid chance of a hat-trick if handling quicker ground.

Diplomatic Ash won over C&D two starts back and followed up here over 2m 2f last time. A 7lb penalty makes life tougher, but he thrives at this track and the step back up in trip will suit. A major contender.

Call Off The Dogs, a stablemate of Diplomatic Ash, has four Fontwell wins to his name and is just 2lb above his last winning mark. Handles good ground well and is worth noting.

Joe Cotton ran to form when third at Exeter 21 days ago. Consistent but struggles to win. First-time blinkers need to have a positive effect.

Next Left didn’t enjoy soft ground when well beaten over C&D last time. His best form has come on good ground, so conditions suit, and first-time cheekpieces could spark improvement. A strong contender for Dan Skelton.

Royal Mer was second to Diplomatic Ash last time and now enjoys a 6lb pull in the weights. However, he’s best on softer ground, so may struggle on this quicker surface.

There won’t be a Saturday column this week, but I’ll be back on Monday to review the opening day of the new Flat season. If you want my final Saturday selections, you can get them here.

Good luck with your Friday bets.

John