2026 Flat Issue 20 - Editor extends lead

Headlines

Prince Crowned at Haydock

Power Fizz’s home at York

Daryz dazzles at Longchamp

Report

We start at Haydock on Saturday where in the 1m 6f handicap Aegean Prince (Neil) went to post, Took keen hold, soon prominent, led narrowly over 2f out, shaken up and went clear over 1f out, went further clear inside final furlong, eased final 110yds, easily by 7 ½ 1. He gets 26.3 points.

On Sunday at York in the 7f handicap Power Fizz (Cliff), went to post, Midfield, pushed along over 4f out, on near side of group when ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on well and led final strides, winning by a neck. He gets 42.6 points.

At Longchamp in the 1m 4f group 2 Daryz (Cliff, Cod, Neil), went to post, Raced in second, shaken up to lead over 1f out, winning easily by 1 ¾ l. He gets 21.2 points.

On Monday at Windsor in the 1m 2f group 3 Maho Bay (Neil), went to post, Took keen hold, made all, against near rail when faced challenge 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well inside final furlong. Winning by 2 ½ l. He gets 37 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

         August   Sept       Total

Cliff          85.5    63.8     897.02

Bob           00                   840.48

Cod         129.44   21.2    781.38      

Steve      151.91               716

Neil         31.2       84.5   710.95

Peej           81.4             566.39

Martin      83.41             427.93

So Congratulations to Steve who is August trainer of the month

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      42       10

Bob           53      19

Cliff           53      20

Neil          50         18

Peej          54      14

Cod           50         16

Steve          41     17

The Weeks Losers

Space Waltz, Go Rimbaud, Needle Match, Finalise, Addison Grey, Gethin, Constitution Hill , Tiffany, Copper Knight, Double Rush, Spycatcher, Gstaad , Opera Ballo, Bay City Roller, Raaheeb

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Doncaster

3.00 French Master

Chester 

3.17 Copper Knight

Sandown

5.32 Dancing Tiger

Saturday  

Doncaster

2.20 Schrodinger’s Cat

2.55 Never So Brave, Wise Approach, Puerto Rico

3.35 Christmas Day, Pierre Bonnard, Amelia Earhart

4.15 Mezcala

Leopardstown

3,15 Purview, James J Braddock, Amelia Earhart

3.55 Precise, Diamond Necklace, Fallen Angel, True Love, See The Fire, Faiyum, Red Letter

4,25 Faiyum, Needle Match, Puerto Rico

5.00 Item, Calandagan, Ombudsman, Purview, Diamond Necklace, Zeus Olympios, Gstaad, Minnie Hauk, Precise, Pierre Bonnard, Puerto Rico

Lingfield

4.00 Dandana

Sunday 

Doncaster

1.25 Dandana

4.15 Copper Knight

Curragh

3.25 American Affair, Charles Darwin

4.00 Great Barrier Reef

4.35 Scandinavia, Jan Brughel, James J Braddock, Carmers, Purview, Consent, Pierre Bonnard, Amelia Earhart

5.10 Faiyum, Red Letter

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2026 Flat Issue 19 - Steve Enoching on the door of the top three

Headlines

Enoch makes a point at Lingfield

Report

We start at Lingfield last Thursday where in the 1m novice stakes Enoch (Steve), went to post, Dwelt start, took keen hold, prominent, ridden and ran green inside final furlong, led towards finish, kept on, winning by a head. He gets 22.8 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 August  Total

Bob           00             840.48

Cliff          85.5            833.22

Cod         129.44           760.18

Steve         151.91          716

Neil         31.2              626.43

Peej           81.4         566.39

Martin      83.41          427.93

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      38       10

Bob           51    19

Cliff           49      18

Neil          44          15

Peej          49        14

Cod           48          15

Steve          39        17

The Weeks Losers

Calendar Girl, Great Barrier Reef, Faiyum, Renegade

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Kempton

6.54 Go Rimbaud

Saturday  

Haydock

1.25 Needle Match

3.05 Aegean Prince, Finalise

3.40 American Affair, Double Rush

4.50 Kisskodi

Ascot

1.40 Addison Grey

4.35 Power Fizz

5.10 Dandana

Kempton

2.50 Gethin, Bay City Roller, Constitution Hill, Almeric

Thirsk

4.25 Dandana

Sunday 

York

2.05 Copper Knight

3.50 Double Rush, Spycatcher, Lifeplan

4.25 Power Fizz

Longchamp

Prix Vermille - Gilded Prize

Prix Foy - Daryz, Bay City Roller, Minnie Hauk

Prix Niel - Christmas Day, Pierre Bonnard

News

Constitution Hill looks set to be handed a stiff assignment on his highly anticipated return at Kempton on Saturday as George Scott has outlined plans to send the classy Bay City Roller to tackle him in the William Hill September Stakes.  George Scott told The Punter Bay City Roller,: "I think Paris looks very dry next weekend, and I'm not going to go over to the Foy and run on good ground. We went to Kempton and his metrics were very good on that surface, so we wouldn't be afraid to go back there."

Aiden O'Brien's domination of the Classic shows no sign of abating this year with the first two in the St Leger market in Derby winner Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard, while Amelia Earhart, a 66-1 chance with Betfred, is a real wildcard contender. "What's a little bit different is Amelia Earhart might go with Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard," said O'Brien. "We were preparing her for the fillies' race at Doncaster [Park Hill] and the boss said, 'Why not let her take her chance with the colts?' It's possible and would be very interesting."

Galopin Des Champs, the brilliant dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and one of the best staying chasers of recent times, has died just five days after it was announced he had been retired. The ten-year-old's racing career came to an end last week when trainer Willie Mullins announced his retirement, after which he said Galopin Des Champs would be looked after by Ruby Walsh's daughter Isabelle for an eventing career. However, he has since suffered a fatal injury.

Owned by Greg and Audrey Turley, Galopin Des Champs won 12 Grade 1 races during an incredible career, highlighted by back-to-back Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs in 2023 and 2024. In a statement announcing his death, Ruby Walsh said: "Sadly, Galopin Des Champs suffered an injury in his field this morning and could not be saved.  Two Cheltenham Gold Cups, three Irish ones, one Punchestown one, two Savills Chases, a John Durkan and a chasing debut that left us all drooling means he has a CV up there with the best staying chasers of the modern era. 

He won at three Cheltenham Festivals and that would have been four had he not slithered on landing after a spectacular jump at the final fence of the 2022 Turners Novices' Chase. He won a dozen Grade 1 races and ran in 19 top-level chases in a row. That is some going

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2026 Flat Issue 18 - Steve takes York Slam

Headlines

Kalpana Lands Yorkshire Oaks

A Noteable Speech made at York

Aventure Lands Prix Romanet

Report

On Thursday at York in the 1m 4f group 1 Yorkshire Oaks Kalpana (Martin, Steve), took her chance, Towards rear, headway from 3f out, ridden when hung left but led over 1f out, wandered around and reduced lead inside final furlong, faced challenge towards finish, just held on, winning by a short head. She gets 26.91 points.

On Saturday in the 7f group 1 City of York Stakes, Noteable Speech (Martin), went to post, Prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong, winning comfortably by 2 ¾ l. He gets 56.5 points

On Sunday at Deauville in the 1m 2f group 1 Prix Jean et Louis Romanet for fillies and mares Aventure (Cod) took her chance, In touch with leaders, headway and led 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well, winning comfortably by 2l. She gets 66.4 points

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 August  Total

Bob           00             840.48

Cliff          85.5            833.22

Cod         129.44           760.18

Steve         129.11          693.2

Neil         31.2              626.43

Peej           81.4         566.39

Martin      83.41          427.93

York Grand Slam

Steve 102.2

Martin 56.5

Cliff   46.5

So Steve gets the 20 points

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      38       10

Bob           50    19

Cliff           48      18

Neil          44          15

Peej          49        14

Cod           47          15

Steve          37         16

The Weeks Losers

Minnie Hauk, French Master, Asfoora, American Affair, Montezuma, Damysus, Puerto Rico, Lifeplan, Adonius, Carmers, Diamond Necklace 

Weekend Runners

Saturday 

Goodwood

2.00 Power Fizz, Addison Grey, Kisskodi

3.10 Mezcala

Sandown 

2.50 Calendar Girl

4.05 Kiss Kodi

Beverley

1.45 Dandana

Curragh

3.30 Great Barrier Reef

3.40 Faiyum

Windsor

6.30 Constitution Hill

Saratoga 

23.25 Renegade

News

Constitution Hill has been entered in the Listed Weatherbys August Stakes (6.30) at Windsor on Saturday evening, but Nicky Henderson is concerned over whether there will be sufficient ease in the ground for his stable star to take his chance. There is an unsettled forecast at the Berkshire track through the week, raising the prospect of significant rainfall before raceday, but Henderson is keen to see conditions on the easy side of good. The William Hill September Stakes on the all-weather at Kempton remains a back-up plan for Constitution Hill on September 5.

Maltese Cross will be aimed at the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and will not run in the Betfred St Leger. William Haggas revealed to The Punter on Monday that the decision over an autumn target for Maltese Cross has been made following discussions with owner George Waud and his team.

Haggas said: “We've decided to bypass the St Leger and aim Maltese Cross at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Daryz appeared to thoroughly enjoy an awayday to Deauville and left his trainer Francis Graffard delighted with his growing maturity, 12 days out from his Arc warm-up in the Prix Foy at Longchamp. 

A general 7-2 favourite to become the first four-year-old colt since Alleged in 1977 and 78 to win back-to-back Arcs, Daryz was last seen when finishing third to Ombudsman and Minnie Hauk in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

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2026 Flat Issue 17 - Big points for Steve

Headlines

It’s A Grey Day At Newbury

Item Is Full York Package

Maltese nails rivals to the Cross

Report

At Newbury on Saturday in the 7f handicap Addison Grey (Neil), went to post, Prominent, waiting for room over 3f out, ridden and switched left over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on , winning by 1 ½ l. He gets 31.2 points.

On Wednesday at York in the 1m 4f group 2 Maltese Cross (Cliff), went to post, Travelled strongly, soon in touch with leaders, headway over 3f out, edged left but led 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong winning by 2l. He gets 46.5 points.

In the 1m 2f Group 1 Juddmonte International stakes Item (Steve) took his chance, Towards rear, short of room 3f out, headway when not clear run 2f out, soon switched right, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, ran on well final 110yds, led final stride, winning by a head. He gets 102,2 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 August  Total

Bob           00             840.48

Cliff          85.5            833.22

Cod         63.04           693.78

Steve         102.2           646.29

Neil         31.2              626.43

Peej           81.4         566.39

Martin      00            344.52

York Grand Slam

Steve 102.2

Cliff   46.5

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      35        8

Bob           45         19

Cliff           46       18

Neil          44          15

Peej          46           14

Cod           45          14

Steve          36          15

The Weeks Losers

Lover Girl, Amelia Earhart, Never So Brave, Corrolla Point, Christmas Day, Pierre Bonnard, Ombudsman, Schrodinger’s Cat

Weekend Runners

Friday  

York

2.25 Carmers, French Master

3.35 Asfoora, American Affair

4.10 Almeric

Hamilton

6.45 Aegean Prince

7.45 Montezuma

Saturday 

York

1.50 Damysus

3.00 Noteable Speech, True Love, Lifeplan, Puerto Rico

3.35 Aegean Prince

4.10 Corrolla Point

4.45 Adonius

Chester

2.40 Aegean Prince

Curragh

4.35 Jan Brughel, Carmers, Consent, Tiffany, Amelia Earhart

Newmarket

3.18 Wise Approach

Sunday 

Southwell

4.10 Kiss Kodi

News

Classic winner Notable Speech is one of 14 declared for Saturday's Group 1 Sky Bet City of York Stakes, the feature race on the final day of the Ebor meeting.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, the five-year-old son of Dubawi already holds a victory at the highest level this season, having landed the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. However, he is bidding to return to form after being a beaten favourite when sixth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on his last outing.

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2026 Flat Issue 16 - Cliff and Cod keep in touch

Headlines

Corrolla makes a Point at Hamilton

Calendar Girl is Haydock Pin Up

Sovereignty Rules in The USA

Tiffany sparkles in Germany

Report

Apologies to Peej as I missed this, at Hamilton on 1 August Corrolla Point went to post in the 5f handicap, Midfield, headway over 1f out, pressed leaders inside final furlong, led narrowly inside final 110yds, faced challenges towards finish, just did enough, winning by a short  head. . He gets 28 points.

On Saturday at Haydock in the 1m listed stakes for fillies and mares Calendar Girl (Cliff) took her chance, Raced wide, took keen hold, towards rear, headway on outer from over 2f out, ridden when led 1f out, ran on, winning by 1 ¼ l. She gets 39 points.

At Saratoga in the 1m 1f Group 1 Whitney Stakes Sovereignty ( Cod), went to post, In touch with leaders, lost ground after 3f, dropped to last halfway, headway over 2f out, ridden and led inside final furlong, went clear inside final 110yds, readily, winning by 4 ¾  l. He gets 63.04 points.

At Hoppegarten on Sunday in the 1m 4f group 1 Westminster 136th Grosser Preis von Berlin Tiffany (Peej) went to post, In touch with leaders on inner, headway and ridden 2f out, edged left and led narrowly final 110yds, held on well, winning by a neck. She gets 53..4 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 August  Total

Bob           00             840.48

Cliff          39            786.72

Cod         63.04           693.78

Neil         00              595.23

Peej           81.4         566.39

Steve         00           544.09

Martin      00            344.52

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      35        8

Bob           45         19

Cliff           45        17

Neil          40          14

Peej          43           14

Cod           44          14

Steve          34            14

The Weeks Losers

Montezuma, Needle Match , Fallen Angel,, Convergent, Go Rimbaud, True Love, Wise Approach, Almeric

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Newbury

5.23 Lover Girl

Cork

7.10 Amelia Earhart

Thirsk

6.43 Copper Knight

Saturday 

Newbury

2.35 Addison Grey, Power Fizz

3.10 Never So Brave

Sunday 

Curragh

4.25 Fayium, Shaihaan

Southwell

4.10 Kiss Kodi

News

Superstar Bow Echo has been retired from racing through injury, with Billy Loughnane describing the unbeaten three-year-old as an "unbelievable racehorse who has given me days in the saddle that I could only ever have dreamed of". Bow Echo leaves the track with a perfect record from six starts, having completed a remarkable Group 1 treble in the 2,000 Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes.

Gstaad is also out for a while,  O'Brien told The Punter ". He got galloped into at Goodwood and got a little bit of an infection in his hind leg. "The antibiotics we put him on would usually mean that you can run him within seven days, but the cut was so deep that they had to put him on extra-strong antibiotics so it will take 14 days to get out of his system, so it will be the Moulin for him now. That's probably where he will go next."

Big Buck's, a long time member of this publication and the greatest staying hurdler of all time and the winner of 18 consecutive races during an astonishing period of unbroken success, has died aged 23.

After being switched back to hurdles following his final-fence exit in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup, the enigmatic public favourite became the champion against whom all long-distance hurdlers are measured.

Big Buck's became the first horse ever to win four runnings of what is now the Stayers' Hurdle, powering up the Cheltenham hill under Ruby Walsh to the sound of rapturous acclaim from 2009 to 2012. He also carried the colours of Andy Stewart and his family to four wins in the Liverpool Hurdle and three triumphs in the Long Walk Hurdle, invariably hitting a flat spot before ruthlessly dismissing top-class opposition.

Nicky Henderson is "less and less optimistic" about Constitution Hill's appearance at Windsor later this month but will not be hitting the panic button, with a back-up plan already in place for his unbeaten Flat star. The trainer identified a Listed contest at Windsor for the nine-year-old on August 29, but the continued drying ground could force connections to wait another week for his reappearance, with the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton an increasing possibility. 

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2026 Flat Issue 15 - Bob storms clear

Headlines

Bob’s Affair with Jim Goldie rolls on

Diamonds Sparkle at Goodwood

Report

We start at Goodwood on Thursday where in the 1m 2f group 1 Nassau stakes for fillies and mares Diamond Necklace (Bob), took her chance, Took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway over 2f out, nudged along to lead over 1f out, ridden and went clear final 110yds, ran on, winning by 2 ¾ l. She gets 78.34 points.

On Friday where in the 5f group 2 American Affair (Bob), went to post, Raced near side, pressed leader, led group over 3f out, led overall over 2f out, pushed along over 1f out, jockey dropped whip inside final furlong, kept on well, 1st of 8 in group winning by ½ l. He gets 74.1 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 July        Total

Bob           281.05             840.48

Cliff          205.17            747.72

Cod             118.15            630.74

Neil         104.11              595.23

Steve         157.41           544.09

Peej           52.4               484.99

Martin      96.55            344.52

Congratulations to Bob who is July trainer of the Month

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      30            8

Bob           44         18

Cliff           43         15

Neil          40          13

Peej          41           12

Cod           42            12

Steve          33            14

The Weeks Losers

Talk of New York, Asfoora, Montezuma, Kings Gambit, Consent, Danielle, Amelia Earhart, Soldiers Tree, Commandment, Life Plan, Power Fizz, Precise

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Mussleburgh

3.50 Montezuma, Copper Knight

Saturday 

Haydock

2.25 Convergent

3.00 Fallen Angel, Calendar Girl

Newmarket

4.14 Go Rimbaud

Saratoga

23.37 Sovereignty

Sunday 

Curragh

2.50 Charles Darwin

4.00 Great Barrier Reef

Hoppergarten

2.40 Almeric, Tiffany

News

Ante-post favourite Estrange was a surprise withdrawal from the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks on Tuesday. She had topped the betting for the Group 1 contest following her top-level breakthrough in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June.   But Cheveley Park Stud's mare, who is trained by David O'Meara, was taken out of the race just before the noon scratchings deadline.  

Calandagan, who was officially rated the best horse in the world last year, is also out of his hugely awaited clash of the generations at York later this month. He was withdrawn from the Juddmonte International, for which he was third favourite at a best-priced 8-1, before the noon scratchings deadline.

Calandagan will not be seen in either of the next two major all-aged middle-distance Group 1s this summer and could skip the rest of the European season completely as the Aga Khan Studs and trainer Francis Graffard look to give the five-year-old the best possible chance of defending his crown in the Japan Cup on November 29. 

Ombudsman, who currently tops the world ratings alongside Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising after his imperious victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, stood his ground at the scratchings stage for the International.

High-class filly Venetian Sun has sustained an injury which has ended her season and may mean she never races again. A decision will be made early next year as to whether the dual Group 1 winner will return to training or be retired for breeding. "Unfortunately she's picked up an injury," trainer Karl Burke revealed to the Punter. "It's a great shame. It's a lesion of her right-fore tendon. There's enough there to pull up stumps for the time being and then a decision will be made early next year as to whether she stays in training or goes to the breeding sheds.

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2026 Flat Issue 14 - Cliff still top after Goodwood winners

Headlines

King de throned at Ascot by Queen Kalpana

York host Saturday’s Special Item

Scandinavia lands Goodwood Cup

Echo’s Bow shoots down Gstaad

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 1m 4f Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes Kalpana (Martin, Steve), Calandagan (Cod) took their chances. Kalpana, In touch with leaders, headway 3f out, led under 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, winning by 1 ½ l. She gets 57.5 points.

At York in the 1m 2f group 2 Item (Steve), went to post, Raced in second, lost second and pushed along over 4f out, outpaced 3f out, rallied and led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well final 110yds, Winning by 2 ¾ L. He gets 48 points.

At Goodwood on Tuesday in the 2m Group 1 Goodwood Cup Scandinavia (Bob, Cliff, Cod, Neil), went to post, Prominent, pushed along when led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, went further clear inside final furlong, winning readily by 8 ½ l. He gets 52.2 points

Yesterday in the 1m group 1 Sussex Stakes Bow Echo ( Bob, Cliff, Neil, Steve), Gstaad (Cod, Peej), took their chances.  Bow Echo towards rear, waiting for room over 2f out, headway when bumped over 1f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong, led final strides, winning by ½ l. He gets 51.91 points. Gstaad, sweating, midfield, headway under 2f out, ridden when led final 110yds, ran on but headed final strides, 2nd beaten ½ l He gets 13.35 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

                 July        Total

Cliff          205.17          747.72

Bob           128.61             688.04

Cod             118.15            630.74

Neil         104.11              595.23

Steve         157.41           544.09

Peej           52.4               484.99

Martin      96.55          344.52

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      29     8

Bob           38   16

Cliff           40  15

Neil          39    13

Peej          36   12

Cod           40   12

Steve          31    14

The Weeks Losers

Dancing Tiger, Calandagan, Minnie Hauk, Addison Grey, Damysus, Copper Knight, Dandana, Adonius, Gstaad, Puerto Rico,

Never So Brave, Opera Ballo 

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Goodwood

2.25 Talk of New York

3.35 American Affair, Asfoora

Mussleburgh

7.25 Montezuma

Saturday 

Goodwood

2,25 King’s Gambit

3.00 Consent, Danielle, Amelia Earhart

3.35 Soldier’s Tree, Addison Grey

Sunday 

Chester

3.20 Lifeplan

3.52 Power Fizz

First Course Winner Bonus is available at 

In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Stratford, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan