2026 Flat Issue 24 - Longchamp winners extend Cliff's lead

Headlines

Daryz Sparkles in Arc

Love Blossoms in Paris

Mezcala wins at Ascot

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 7f Heritage handicap Mezcala (Steve), went to post, Towards rear early, midfield against near rail halfway, short of room and switched right over 2f out, headway when squeezed through and ridden over 1f out, challenging final 110yds, led final strides, winning by a head. He gets 63.2 points.

At Longchamp on Sunday in the 1m 4f group 1 Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe Daryz (Cliff, Cod, Neil), Bay City Roller (Peej), took their chances. 

Daryz, Raced wide, towards rear, midfield over 3f out, good headway to lead 1f out, ridden and drifted right inside final furlong, kept on well, winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 52.2 points. Bay City Roller, In touch but alone early, prominent after 3f, led over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd beaten 1 1/4l. He gets 35.8 points.

In the 7f Group 1 Prix de La Foret True Love ( Cliff, Cod), took her chance, in touch, not clear run over 2f out, some headway from over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, led towards finish, winning by a head. She gets 28.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           October      Total

Cliff          80.7    1004.09

Cod         80.7     967.75      

Bob           00       922.3

Steve      63.2       800.65

Neil         52.2        789.52

Peej         35.8        602.19

Martin     00          484.73

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      48            11

Bob           68            22

Cliff           63           23

Neil          60           20

Peej          66          14

Cod           64   21

Steve          47   19

The Weeks Losers

Calendar Girl, Fallen Angel, Lifeplan, Space Waltz, Pierre Bonnard, Amelia Earhart, Consent, Scandinavia, French Master, Purview, Corolla Point, Bay City Roller, Diamond Necklace, Kalpana, Maltese Cross, Minnie Hauk, Precise, Aventure, Puerto Rico

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Newmarket

2.25 Never So Brave

York

1.30 Power Fizz

4.25 Schrodinger’s Cat, Copper Knight

Saturday 

Newmarket

3.00 Great Barrier Reef

York

3.17 Binhaheer

Sunday 

Naas

3.05 Faiyum

Goodwood

3.32 Dandana

4.42 Portcullis

News

Karl Burke has reflected on the "horrible day" that he lost Fallen Angel, the five-time Group 1 winner he hailed as "a special kind of horse".

The five-year-old suffered a fatal injury in the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp on Saturday.

"It was a horrible day," her trainer said on Sunday morning. "It was tragic. No horse deserves to end their career like that but when they're that good and have been around the yard for a long time it's very upsetting."

Fallen Angel won the Moyglare Stud Stakes at two and the Irish 1,000 Guineas at three for Steve Parkin's Clipper Logistics before being bought by Wathnan Racing. She racked up a Group 1 hat-trick last season when winning the Prix Rothschild at Deauville, the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and Sun Chariot at Newmarket, in which she beat this year's dominant filly Blue Bolt by two and a quarter lengths. She had three runs this year, notably finishing third behind Blue Bolt in the Matron, before she was pulled up after fracturing a leg in the home straight under regular rider James Doyle in the Daniel Wildenstein.

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2026 Flat Issue 23 - Lead reduced to less then two points

Headlines

Newmarket Talk is About New York

Rimbaud Goes in at Newmarket

Report

We start at Newmarket on Friday where in the 1m group 2 Talk of New York (Bob, Steve), went to post, Raced near side, prominent in group, led overall over 2f out, ridden briefly approaching final furlong, clear final 110yds, readily, 1st of 3 in group winning by 4 ¾ l. He gets 21.45 points.

In the 1m 1f handicap Go Rimbaud (Bob) took his chance, Travelled strongly, raced centre, prominent, led over 2f out, soon drifted right, ridden and clear over 1f out, reduced lead towards finish, always doing enough, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 34 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           Sept       Total

Cliff          90.17     923.39

Bob           81.82       922.3

Cod         126.87      887.05      

Steve          21.45       737.45

Neil         110.87      737.32

Peej                        566.39

Martin     56.8          484.73

Congratulations to Cod who is September trainer of the month

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      47      11

Bob           62    22

Cliff           57   21

Neil          56     19

Peej          60    14

Cod           59   19

Steve          45   18

The Weeks Losers

Addison Grey, Schrodinger’s Cat, Alther Walden, Copper Knight, Montezuma

Weekend Runners

Saturday 

Newmarket

1.35 Fallen Angel, True Love, Precise, Calendar Girl

Ascot

1.50 Corolla Point, Lifeplan

2.25 Aegean Prince

3.00 Lifeplan

3.35 Mezcala, Power Fizz, 

Longchamp

12.23 Space Waltz, Pierre Bonnard

3.215 Consent, Amelia Earhart

4.00 Scandinavia, French Master

4.35 Fallen Angel

Sunday 

Longchamp

1.50 Corolla Point

3.05 Daryz, Maltese Cross, Kalpana, Diamond Necklace Minnie Hauk, Bay City Roller

3.50 Aventure, Precise

4.25 Puerto Rico, True Love

News

William Haggas said Maltese Cross could not be in better shape for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe , as Newmarket's leading hope for Sunday's showpiece put the finishing touches to his preparations on Wednesday morning. Only last year's winner Daryz is shorter in the betting than the three-year-old for this year's Arc following a stellar campaign, in which he was runner-up in the Derby before victories in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris over the course and distance and the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York's Ebor meeting

Francis Graffard has put straight any notion that Daryz will be anything less than at his best if Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is run on quick going – and is instead relishing the prospect of a fast-ground Longchamp showpiece for the reigning champion. As the sun continues to shine in Paris, Graffard pointed to speedy efforts on a rapid spring surface in the Prix Ganay and the Prix Aga Khan IV as evidence that Daryz could be an even tougher nut to crack than when running down Minnie Hauk on soft ground 12 months ago on what was his first try at a mile and a half. 

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2026 Flat Issue 22 - Cod in striking distance

Headlines

Knight Slays Rivals at Chester

Report

We start at Chester on Saturday where in the 5f handicap Copper Knight (Cod) went to post, Midfield against rail, some headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, switched right and ridden 1f out, ran on well to lead towards finish, winning by ¾ l. He gets 26.5 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           Sept       Total

Cliff          90.17     923.39

Cod         126.87      887.05      

Bob           26.37    866.85

Neil         110.87      737.32

Steve                       716

Peej                        566.39

Martin     56.8          484.73

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      47      11

Bob           58    20

Cliff           57   21

Neil          55     19

Peej          58     14

Cod           58   19

Steve          44   17

The Week's Losers

Binhareer, Spycatcher

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Newmarket

3.00 Talk of New York, Zeus Olympios

4.45 Go Rimbaud

Saturday 

Newmarket

3.00 Great Barrier Reef

4.50 Addison Grey

Ripon

2.49 Copper Knight

3.28 Schrodinger’s Cat

Haydock 

5.10 Alther Walden

Sunday 

Curragh

2.35 Corolla Point, Spycatcher. Charles Darwin

News

Ruby Walsh hailed the legendary Hurricane Fly as the "perfect hurdler" after the dual Champion Hurdle winner died aged 22 at the Irish National Stud.

Trained by Willie Mullins, Hurricane Fly won an astonishing 22 Grade 1s, including the Irish Champion Hurdle an extraordinary five times in a row between 2011 and 2015, as well as the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2011 and 2013.

A true fan-favourite throughout his seven years at Closutton, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurdlers of all time, landing 24 of his 32 starts over hurdles without ever falling.

He was unbeaten in ten starts at Leopardstown, all of which came at the top level, and won four Punchestown Champion Hurdles in a row from 2010 to 2013, as well as three Morgiana Hurdles in succession.

Walsh rode Hurricane Fly to a first Champion Hurdle success at Cheltenham in 2011, before the pair regained their crown two seasons later when reversing the 2012 defeat to Rock On Ruby. 

In reclaiming the race Hurricane Fly became the first horse in 38 years to regain the Champion Hurdle.

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2026 Flat Issue 21 - Ed stays ahead

Headlines

Tiger Roars home at Sandown

A Noteable Speech made in Canada

Scandinavia Lands Irish St Leger

Report

We start at Sandown on Friday where in the 1m 2f Apprentice handicap Dancing Tiger (Cod), went to post, Took keen hold, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, soon led, ran on inside final furlong, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 52.8 points.

At Woodbine on Saturday in the 1m Grade 1 Woodbine Mile Stakes Notable Speech (Martin), went to post, in touch with leaders, headway and ridden over 1f out, led final 110yds, ran on winning by 1 ¼ l. He gets 56.8 points.

On Sunday at the Curragh in the 1m 6f group 1 Irish St Leger Scandinavia ( Bob, Cliff, Cod, Neil) went to post, Raced in second, pushed along challenging 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, soon ridden, pushed out and went clear towards finish, winning by 2l. He gets 26.37 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           Sept       Total

Cliff          90.17     923.39

Bob           26.37    866.85

Cod         100.37      860.55      

Neil         110.87      737.32

Steve                       716

Peej                        566.39

Martin     56.8          484.73

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      46      11

Bob           58    20

Cliff           57   21

Neil          54     19

Peej          58     14

Cod           57   18

Steve          44   17

The Weeks Losers

Danielle, Consent, Schrodinger’s Cat, Wise Approach, Amelia Earhart, Christmas Day, Pierre Bonnard, Mezcala, Purview, James J Braddock, Fallen Angel , True Love, Precise , Item, Dandana, See The Fire, Copper Knight, American Affair, Jan Brughel, Red Letter, Enoch, Morrophore

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Ayr

3.40 Schrodinger’s Cat, Monsieur Kodi, Montezuma

Chester

4,17 Copper Knight

Saturday 

Newcastle

7.00 Copper Knight

Ayr

2.30 Monsieur Kodi, Montezuma

3.40 Monsieur Kodi, Montezuma, Spycatcher

Newbury

2.47 Nobody Knows

 

News

Constitution Hill's two most likely immediate options are the Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot on October 3 and the St Simon Stakes at Newbury on October 24, but his international ambitions could now be diverted to a new race in Bahrain as Nicky Henderson considers the next steps for his star.. 

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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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