Jerry Walks for Pancreatic Cancer UK

I’m fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK. Check out my @JustGiving page and please donate if you can. Thank you! #JustGiving https://t.co/sYm0lDLRAc

— Jerry Banks (@jerryb123456) July 5, 2026

York Dante Stakes Preview (Thu 14th May 2026 )

The Dante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 56 yards (2,063 metres) at York in May.

The event is named after Dante, the Yorkshire-trained winner of the Derby substitute at Newmarket in 1945. Established in 1958, it serves as a major trial for the Derby.^[1] The first running was won by Bald Eagle.

In total, eleven winners of the race have won the Derby. The first was St Paddy in 1960, and the most recent was Desert Crown in 2022. The 2014 Dante Stakes winner, The Grey Gatsby, subsequently won France's equivalent of the Derby, the Prix du Jockey-Club while the 2015 runner-up, Jack Hobbs, and 2021 winner Hurricane Lane, both won the Irish Derby.

The Dante Stakes is currently staged on the second day of York's three-day Dante Festival meeting.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo) Winner £102,078 8 runners 1m2f56y Good ITV (STALLS Inside)

race conditions  £180,000 guaranteed For  3yo Weights  colts & geldings 9st 2lb; fillies 8st 13lb Penalties  after 2025, a winner of a Group 1 race 3lb Entries  12 pay £625 Penalty value  1st  £102,078.00 2nd  £38,700.00 3rd  £19,368.00 4th  £9,648.00 5th  £4,842.00 6th  £2,430.00

JBB FORM RATINGS : (1) CHRISTMAS DAY (110) (2) MORSHDI (109) (3) AL ZANATI (106)

The progressive Camelot colt CHRISTMAS DAY , should go well for inform Aidan O 'Brien stable, having landed hattrick in Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown last month , that form looks very solid, having beaten 1-2-3 from Derby Trial Stakes (James J Baddock ) (Pierre Bonnard ) (Endorsement ) .Looks the type to show further improvement season.Will be suited by easy ground .Possible Derby contender .Odds around 11-4 or bigger look fair value .

William Haggas trained MORSHDI looks interesting contender , having been withdrawn last week at Chester in Dee Stakes , has shown progressive form winning 2 from 3, including winning the listed Feilden Stakes in good style at Newmarket last month, though that form has taken few knocks with 2nd,4th & 5th from Feilden Stakes all well beaten since. Step up in trip should suit , though has to be question marks about that Feilden stakes form .

Of the others WISE PRINCE looks best of the bigger price runners after finishing third in Sandown Derby trial last month , that was fair effort on only his second start.Looked in need of the race on reappearance. Should improve .Place claims .

VERDICT : (1) CHRISTMAS DAY (2) MORSHDI (3) WISE PRINCE 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHRISTMAS DAY 4.05 YORK DANTE STAKES 

2PTS WIN @ 11-4 PADDY POWER & BETFAIR SPORTSBOOK 

(THIRD SP 11-4F LOSS 2.00PTS) 

RESULT : (1) ITEM 11-2 (2) ACTION 4-1 (3) CHRISTMAS DAY 11-4F

Newmarket Dahlia Stakes Preview (Sunday 3rd May 2026 )

The Dahlia Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to fillies and mares aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong (1,811 metres) on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in early May.

The event is named after Dahlia, a successful filly in the 1970s. It was established in 1997, and initially held Listed status. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 2004 and upgraded to Group 2 level in 2015.^[1]

The Dahlia Stakes is currently staged on the third day of the three-day Guineas Festival meeting. It is run on the same day as the 1000 Guineas.

Betfred Dahlia Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £93,572 12 runners 1m1f Good To Firm ITV (STALLS Centre)

 race conditions  £165,000 guaranteed For  4yo+ fillies & mares Weights  9st 2lb Penalties  after August 31st, 2025, a winner of a Group 2 race 3lb; of a Group 1 race 5lb Entries  15 pay £1,650 Penalty value  1st  £93,571.50 2nd  £35,475.00 3rd  £17,754.00 4th  £8,844.00 5th  £4,438.50 6th  £2,227.50

JBB RATINGS : (1) CATHEDRAL (114) (1) SURVIE (114) (3) SAND GAZELLE (107)

Wide open looking fillies & mares group two contest over 9 furlongs .

The George Boughey trained five-year-old mare SURVIE , should go well stepping back up in trip, having found mile at Kempton too sharp last time.Had some useful form when trained in France, including winning in group two company at Longchamp .Changed hands for 1.9 million guineas in Dec 2025 .Ran her best race for George Boughey when finishing good third behind Royal Champion in the valuable G1 Neom Cup at Riyadh in Febuary.Odds 4-1 or bigger look solid each-way value .

The ultra consistent CATHEDRAL looks the main danger on form, having finished ahead of Survie last time at Kempton in 1 mile listed contest, though this longer trip not certain to suit, having shown her best form over mile .Also not the easiest horse to win with, having not won since her debut back in September 2024 .Solid place claims, though could get outstayed in closing stages 

Of the others SAND GAZELLE  looks the most interesing , having shown solid form in group & listed company last season , including winning good listed contest at York , beating two subsequent group / listed winners .Each-way claims if fully tuned up on her seasonal reappearance for inform John/Thady Gosden stable .

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VERDICT : (1) SURVIE (2) CATHEDRAL (3) SAND GAZELLE 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SURVIE 2.20 NEWMARKET DAHLIA STAKES 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 5-1 WILLIAM HILLS (1/5 ODDS 1-2-3 )

(THIRD SP 9-2 PROFIT/LOSS LEVEL )

2000 Guineas Preview (Sat 2nd May 2026 )

 

The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1.6 km) and scheduled to take place each year at the start of May.

The 2000 Guineas Stakes was first run on 18 April 1809, and it preceded the introduction of a version for fillies only, the 1000 Guineas Stakes, by five years. Both races were established by the Jockey Club under the direction of Sir Charles Bunbury, who had earlier co-founded the Derby at Epsom. The races were named according to their original prize funds (a guinea amounted to 21 shillings, so the original prize was £2,100).

By the mid-1860s, the 2000 Guineas was regarded as one of Britain's most prestigious races for three-year-olds. The five leading events for this age group, characterised by increasing distances as the season progressed, began to be known as "Classics". The concept was later adopted in many other countries.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) Winner £297,728 15 runners 1m Good ITV (STALLS Centre)

race conditions  £525,000 guaranteed For  3yo colts & fillies NOTE: Horses will only be eligible to run in this race provided that they have a current BHA Handicap Rating of 80 or higher at midday of the confirmation stage. Horses which do not qualify for a rating may also be eligible providing the BHA Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including the day before confirmation merit a provisional assessment of 80 or higher. Horses which have not run will not be eligible Weights  colts 9st 2lb; fillies 8st 13lb Entries  20 pay £2,225 Penalty value  1st  £297,727.50 2nd  £112,875.00 3rd  £56,490.00 4th  £28,140.00 5th  £14,122.50 6th  £7,087.50

JBB RATINGS : (1) GSTAAD (117) (2) DISTANT STORM (114) (2) BOW ECHO (114) 

The Aidan O 'Brien trained GSTAAD  tops the ratings on 117 after finishing excellent second in Dewhurst stakes at Newmarket in October, and then winning Breeders Cup Juvenile turf at Del Mar in November .Very consistent sort last season winning 3 times & finishing second 3 times (112221) .The concern is the form of Aidan O'Brien stable with his UK runners ( 0-7) in April  .Quite few of the stable runners have looked in need of the race,though Interesting contender for the yard seeking 11th win in the race, but first since 2019 .

Impressive Newmarket Tattersalls Stakes winner DISTANT STORM should go well stepping up to mile , finished good staying on third in Dewhurst 1.5L behind Gstaad , that form looks strong with 5th & 6th from the race ( Oxagon & Alparsian ) both winning Guineas trials since .Trainer Charlie Appleby also has excellent recent record in race, winning three of last four renewals of the race .Odds around 9-2 look solid each-way value, especially with firms paying 4 places .

Of the others the unbeaten Royal Lodge winner BOW ECHO, has to be respected, winning 3 out 3 last season, though the Royal Lodge didn't look the strongest race with third, fourth & fifth all beaten since .

Charlie Appleby second string KINGS TRAIL looks interesting runner , unbeaten in both starts over mile at Kempton on All Weather, takes big step up in class, though stable won the race with similar sort in 2024 , so can't be ruled out especially after market support .

VERDICT : (1) DISTANT STORM (2) GSTAAD (3) KINGS TRAIL 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECOMMENDED BET:

DISTANT STORM 3.35 NEWMARKET 2000 GUINEAS (SAT 2ND MAY 2026)

1PT EACH-WAY @ 9-2 BETFRED & BETVICTOR (1/5 ODDS 1-2-3-4)

(THIRD SP 3-1JF LOSS 0.10 PTS )

FULL RESULT : 1ST BOW ECHO 9-2 : 2ND GSTAAD 3-1CF 3RD DISTANT STORM 3-1CF

Super Saturday Meydan (Singspiel Stakes & Al Maktoum Classic Preview ) Sat 28th Feb 2026

Emirates Super Saturday is a premier horse racing event held annually at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, serving as the official dress rehearsal for the prestigious Dubai World Cup. It features multiple Group-level races and attracts top international talent, usually taking place in late February or early March.

The Singspiel Stakes, is a horse race for horses aged four and over, run at a distance of 1,800 metres (nine furlongs) on turf in January at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

The Singspiel Stakes was first contested in 2014 as a Listed race before being elevated to Group 3 class in 2018. It gained Group 2 status in 2020. It is named in honour of the racehorse Singspiel.

Singspiel Stakes Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £170,040 8 runners 1m1f Good SK/RT

race conditions  £283,401 guaranteed For  southern hemisphere 3yo; northern hemisphere 4yo+ Penalty value  1st  £170,040.49 2nd  £56,680.16 3rd  £28,340.08 4th£14,170.04 5th  £8,502.02 6th  £5,668.02

JBB RATINGS : (1) MALJOOM (118) (2) ALAKAZI (116) (3) HOLLOWAY BOY (115) (3) QUDDWAH (115) 

The Johnny Murtagh trained four-year-old colt ALAKAZI heads the market at around 7-4, had some decent form last season , including winning G2 contest at Leopardstown and finishing good third in G1 Queen Elizabeth 11 stakes at Ascot on Champions day , has to be respected on pick of his form ,though looks short enough in market on his seasonal reappearance, especially with stable not having winner since November .

MALJOOM  will need bounce back after disappointing reappearance three weeks ago at Abu Dhabi for new trainer Michael Costa, though had some very useful form in 2024 for William Haggas, including finishing second in Sussex stakes and third in Queen Anne Stakes .Been lightly raced since, though finished good third over C&D in G1 Dubai Turf on World Cup Night in 2025.Should come on for the first run of season. Odds 4-1 or above look fair in not strongest G2 contest.

Of the others G2 Zabeel Mile winner  QUDDWAH  looks best of the rest, has decent strike rate 7 out 14 on turf, including winning twice in group two company, slightly disappointing last time when only fourth in Abu Dhabi Gold Cup , though can't be ruled out on his best form .

HOLLOWAY BOY  is very consistent sort, though has only won twice on turf from 23 starts , been in fair form this season finishing second in Listed company at Doha two weeks ago , also finished creditable second in this race last year behind Nations Pride .Place claims, though usually finds one too good in this grade .

VERDICT : (1)  MALJOOM (2) ALAKAZI  (3) QUDDWAH 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Al Maktoum Classic Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo+) Winner £206,478 9 runners 1m2f Fast SK/RT

race conditions  £344,130 guaranteed For  southern hemisphere 3yo; northern hemisphere 4yo+ Penalty value  1st  £206,477.73 2nd  £68,825.91 3rd  £34,412.96 4th  £17,206.48 5th  £10,323.89 6th  £6,882.59

JBB FORM RATINGS : (1) WALK OF STARS (114) (2) HEART OF HONOUR (111) (3) MENDELSSON BAY (110)

Bhupat Seemar trained WALK OF STARS  tops the ratings after showing some useful form last season , including winning the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan and finishing fourth in Dubai World Cup , will need to bounce back after couple below par performances this season , though is proven winner in group one company .Looks well drawn for front runner in stall two with Mickael Barzalona taking the ride.Odds 6-1 or above look fair each-way value .

Walk Of Stars Stablemate MENDELSSON BAY  has been in good form this season , winning twice at Meydan over Mile , including winning the G3 Firebreak stakes in good style last time, though there has to be question mark over this 10f trip , having disappointed both times last season over the trip .

HEART OF HONOUR , looks best of the rest after winning twice this season at Meydan, including listed race, though was slightly disappointing last time in G1 Al Maktoum Challenge when finishing well beaten third when favourite, will be suited with drop in class, though has yet to win in group company in five starts .

VERDICT : (1) WALK OF STARS (2) HEART OF HONOUR  (3) MENDELSSON BAY 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECOMMENDED BETS :

MALJOOM 4.00 MEYDAN SINGSPIEL STAKES 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 4-1 PADDY POWER .SKYBET 

(UNPLACED SP 10-1 LOSS 2.00 PTS)

WALK OF STARS 4.35 MEYDAN AL MAKTOUM CLASSIC 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 13-2 WILLIAM HILLS 

(SECOND SP 4-1 PROFIT 0.30 PTS )

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/4 PT EACH-WAY DOUBLE @ SP & 13-2 WILLIAM HILLS 

( UNPLACED & SECOND LOSS 0.50 PTS )