2026 Flat Profile - The ones who didn't make it

Montreal 3 y bc Sea The Stars Muwakaba

Highly regarded colt who made his debut at Leopardstown in July last year finishing 3rd in a 1m maiden, beaten 6 ¼ l by Hardy Warrior, then in August over course and distance won 1m maiden by 8l from Strikewhileitshot. He holds Group 1 entries in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas and both Derbys. 

Aidan O’Brien told The Punter: He won very easily at Leopardstown and is an exciting horse. He could be one for the Derby, but we haven’t picked out a starting point for him yet. He’s not short of pace, but we think he could stay a mile-and-a-half." He could be a dark one for the Derby.

Trainer A O’Brien

Study of Words 3 y bc Frankel - Discursus

Potentially high class colt who was a slow burner who came to the boil in his final appearance last season. He made his debut at Ascot in September, finishing 5th beaten 8l in a 1m maiden behind Maltese Cross, then at Goodwood 3 weeks later was 2nd in a 1m 2f maiden beaten ¾ l by Bay of Brilliance. He then won a 1m 2f Newmarket maiden by eye watering 15l recording the best Racing post rating for a novice or maiden win by any 2 year old last season. 

Bred to stay he holds a Derby entry and is 33/1 at the time of writing and his reappearance will tell us a lot more.

Trainer C.Appleby

2026 Flat Profile - Zeus Olympios

4 y ch c Night of Thunder – Rhea  (Bob, Martin Peej)

Lightly raced 4 year old, who was unraced at 2 but was unbeaten in 4 runs last season and looks a progressive sort. He made his debut at Kempton in January last year winning a 7f maiden by 1l from Chemical, then in August  at Thirsk, won a 1m novice stakes by 5 ½ l from Due West (received 7lb). In September at Haydock he won a 1m group 3 by 2l from Excellent Believe and finished the season with victory 3 weeks later at Newmarket winning a 1m group 2 by 2 ¼ l from Opera Ballo. 

Karl Burke told The Punter: "He’s a very exciting horse that we think a lot of and he will start in the Lockinge and have entries in all the Group 1 miles. He’s done well over the winter and filled his frame nicely." He reappeared at Sandown recently finishing 3rd in a 1 m group 2 beaten 3 ¾ l by Opera Ballo (gave 2lb).

Editors Rating - 4

Trainer K.Burke

2026 Flat Profile - Venetian Sun

3 y bf Starman – Johara  ( Martin, Peej)

High class 2 year old filly, she made her debut at Carlisle last May winning a 5f fillies novice stakes by 1 ½ l from Argentine Tango (gave 6lb), then followed up at Royal Ascot winning a fillies group 3 by 1 ½ l from Awaken. In July she went to Newmarket and won a 6f fillies group 2 by a neck from Royal Fixation, and stepped up again at Deauville in August, winning the 6f Group 1 Prix Morny by a short neck from Gstaad ( gave 4lb). 

She finished the season in September at Leopardstown, finishing 3rd in the 7f fillies group 1 Moyglare stud stakes, beaten 2 ½ l by Precise. Karl Burke told The Punter she will be aimed at the 1000 Guineas unless she looks unlikely to stay a mile. Her dam won over 1m 2f so she should, and Karl said she looks great after the break and is very exciting. .She is currently 7/1 for the English 1000, and 12/1 for the Irish. 

Editors Rating - 4

Trainer K Burke

2026 Flat Profile - Soldiers Tree

5 y bg Soldiers Call – Moonttri  (Bob)

The most interesting pick of all for me. I will be interested to hear how Bob found this one. Un raced at 2 and 3 he made his debut at Dundalk in December last year, finishing 3rd in a 1m maiden beaten 6 l by Tina’s Charm (received 6 lb), then in January this year won a 7f Apprentice maiden by 6l from Spacebound ( gave 3lb) then in April at Cork was 2nd in a 6f listed stakes, beaten 3 ¼ l by Navassa Island (received 5lb). 

That shows a fair level of ability and is probably why he has been perservered with, how he goes on will be interesting.

Editors Rating - 2

Trainer M Tynan

2026 Flat Profile - Schrodinger’s Cat

3 y bg Ardad – Singyoursong  (Peej)

Another interesting pick from Peej, he made his debut at Chepstow in May last year, finishing 6th beaten 7 ¾ l by Italica in a 6f maiden, then in June at Nottingham finished 2nd in a 5f maiden beaten ½ l by Lil Brother. 2 weeks later at Windsor he was 2nd again beaten 1 l by Irish Fighter (received 2lb ) in a 5f restricted maiden, then at Yarmouth in July was 3rd beaten 1 ½ l by Desert Treasure (received 7lb) in a 5f restricted maiden. 

In August at Mussleburgh he was 4th in a 5f novice stakes beaten ¾ l by Mission Classified, then at Ripon in August was 2nd in a 5f maiden beaten a nose by Kind Touch. He finished the season at Redcar winning a 5f restricted novice stakes by ½ l from Star Noir ( received 4lb).  

He was trained by Harry Charlton but has been gelded and recently moved to Grant Tuer, and reappeared at Thirsk recently finishing 2nd in a 5f handicap beaten 1 ¾ l by .Simplify ( gave 5lb), and should win a couple of similar handicaps on the northern circuit

Editors rating - 2

 

2026 Flat Profile - Scandinavia

4y bb c Justify – Fabulous (Bob, Cliff, Cod, Neil)

High class 3 year old who is a big hope at Ballydoyle to replace Kyprios in the staying division this season. He made his debut at Leopardstown in July 2024, finishing 3rd in a 1m maiden, beaten 4 ¼ l by Green Impact, then in August at Newmarket in another 1m maiden was 2nd to Anniversary beaten ¾ l. In Setember at Doncaster in another 1m maiden he was 7th to Yabher (received 3lb)  beaten 4 ¾ l, then reappearing at Navan last May, won a 1m 2f maiden by 3 ¼ l from Carthusian , then at Royal Ascot in June was 5th, beaten 1 ½ l in a 1m 6f group 2. In July at Newmarket he won a 1m 5f group 3 by 8 ½ l from Nighttime Dancer, and followed up at Goodwood 3 weeks later winning the 2m Group 1 Goodwood Cup by ¾ l from Illinois (received 14 lb), and finished the season at Doncaster with victory in the 1m 6f Group 1 St Leger, beating Rahiebb a neck. 

Editors Rating - 4

Trainer A O ‘Brien

2026 Flat Profile - Renegade

3 y bc Into Mischief – Spice Is Nice (Cod)

Another of Cod’s state side team, he made his debut at Saratoga in August last year finishing 3rd in a maiden Special Weight beaten 18 ¼ l by It’s Our Time, then in October at Belmont won a 1m maiden Special Weight by a head from Paladin. 

In December at Aqueduct he was 2nd in a 1m 1f grade 2 beaten 2l by Paladin, then in February this year at Tampa Bay Downs won a 1m listed stakes by 3 ¾ l from Wayne’s Law, and on his last appearance at Oaklawn Park in March won the 1m 1f Grade 1 Arkansas Derby by 4l from Silent Tactic. He has Kentucky Derby entry and it is difficult to chose over him and Comandment over which is best currently.

Editors Rating 4 

Trainer T Pletcher

2026 Flat Profile - Railwayman

3 y bc Blue Point – Charlotte Rosina (Peej)

The darkest horse in the competition unraced at 2 his only run came at Leicester in a 6f confined novice stakes on 13 April this year finishing 3rd, beaten 2l by Westport (gave 2lb). He holds no group entries currently, but is a pure bred sprinter and he should certainly win races this season

Editors Rating - 2

Trainer K.Burke

2026 Flat Profile - Raaheeb

3 y bc Sea The Stars – Aghareed (Cliff, Martin, Neil, Steve)

Seen only once last season , but highly regarded by Shadwell and the appearance in the paddock beforehand of  Sheikh Hissa's presence with a large Shadwell entourage on a quiet Friday afternoon at Ascot was some indication as to the importance of Raaheeb to her operation as her regally-bred two-year-old made the perfect racecourse introduction .In a 7f maiden he won comfortably by 1 ¼ l from Pompette, and holds English and Irish Derby entries. 

He won a 1m 2f group 3 on his reappearance at Sandown recently beating Al Zanati 3 ¼ l and is 9/1 for the Epsom Classic now.

Editors Rating - 4

Trainer O.Burrows

2026 Flat Profile - Quadrillion

Quadrillion 3 y bf Kingman – Quadrilateral (Peej)

One of the dark horses he made his debut at Newmarket in July finishing 3rd in a 7f novice stakes, beaten 1l by True Test (gave 4lb), then at Leicester in August was 2nd in a 7f novice stakes beaten 5l by Alpaslan. That form took a huge boost at Newbury recently, and he is a beautifully home bred by Juddmonte who surprisingly has no current group entries. His reappearance will be interesting but he is group class on breeding.

Editors rating - 3

Trainer H.Charlton

2026 Flat Profile - Purview

4 y BC Kingman – Variable (Bob)

Lightly raced 4 year old who made his debut at Dundalk in November 2024, winning a 1m maiden by 2 ¾ l from What’s Your Game, then in May last year finished 2nd to Delacroix in a 1m 1m 2f group 3 beaten 2 ¾ l. In July at Leopardstown he finished 2nd to Snellen (gave 6lb), beaten a short head, then at Deauville in August, finished 5th beaten 3 ¼ l by Damysus in a 1m 2f listed stakes and finished the season at Cork at the end of September winning a 1m 2f listed stakes by 1 1/4l from Cadogan. 

He holds a group 2 entry at the Curragh and the fact he is still an entire suggest Juddmonte expect him to win something decent this season.

Editors Rating - 3

Trainer D Weld.

2026 Flat Profile - Publish

3 y br c Kingman- Nay Lady Nay (Bob, Steve)

Good class 2 year old, he made his debut at Sandown in July, finishing 2nd in a 7f Novice Stakes, beaten ½ l by Pacifica Pier, then 3 weeks later won a maiden over course and distance, beating Catullus 1 ¼ l. He finished the season with a 1l 2nd to Bow Echo at Haydock in September in a 1m listed stakes beaten 1l.

He holds entries in the English and Irish 2000 guineas and The Dante stakes and is 5/1 2nd favourite for the English 2000 at the time of writing.

Editors Rating - 4

Trainer J&T Gosden

2026 Flat Profile - Precise

3 y cf Starspangledbanner – Way To My Heart ( Bob, Cliff, Neil, Peej)

Last year's European Champion 2 year old filly, she made her debut at Fairyhouse in July last year, finishing 2nd in a 6f fillies maiden, beaten ¾ l by Mutiny (received 3 lb), then at Cork in August won a 7f fillies maiden by 2 ¾ l from Cape Soonion ( gave 5lb). She followed up at Goodwood 10 days later, winning a 7f Group 3 by ¾ l from Moon Target, then in September at the Curragh won the 7f Group 1 Moyglare fillies stud stakes by ¾ l from stable mate Beautify. She finished the season at Newmarket with victory I n the 1m group 1 fillies mile beating Venetian Lace by 3 ¼ l. and went in to the winter as 1000 guineas favourite at around 11/4 at the time of writing. 

Aidan O’Brien told The Punter: "She’s not overly big, but she’s still up 30kg on her racing weight from last year, which is unusual for a filly that isn’t overly big. At the moment, the plan for her is the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. We think there’s a good chance that she might stay a mile-and-a-half, so the Oaks could be on her agenda if all went well at Newmarket. She has loads of personality, she relaxes, and we’re excited about her."

She holds entries in the English and Irish 1000 Guineas and the Irish Oaks

Editors Rating - 4

Trainer A O’Brien

2026 Flat Profile - Power Fizz

4 y b g Wotton Bassett – Cristal Fizz (Cliff)

A smart colt at 6/7f he will hopefully win a couple of decent handicaps and possibly a listed stakes. He made his debut at Newbury in September 2024, finishing 8yjh beaten 7l by Persian Spirit (received 7lb), in a 6f  maiden, then in October at Yarmouth was 5th beaten 3 ¼ l by Sallall in a 7f novice stakes. 

He had a wind op. and reappeared at Newcastle in January last year , winning a 7f maiden by ½ l from Political Power, then at Newmarket in April won a 7f handicap by ¾ l from Cavolo Nero, and then at Goodwood in May was 2nd in a 7f handicap beaten a head by Consolidation (gave 4lb). At Ascot 6 days later he won a 7f handicap by 1l from Brave Mission (gave 5lb), and finished the season 3 weeks later at Goodwood in a 7f handicap, finishing 4th, beaten 5l by Silver Ghost ( received 4lb). 

He reappeared at Newcastle in March this year winning a 6f handicap in eye catching style by 1 ¾ l from Rousing Encore (received 3lb) and looks progressive from a shrewd stable.

Editors Rating - 4

Trainer W.Haggas

2026 Flat Profile - Ombudsman

5 y bh Night of Thunder – Syndicate (Neil)

Top class performer, unraced at 2, he made his debut at Newmarket in June 2024 winning a 1m novice stakes by 1 ¼ l from Arabian Knight, then a month later at Leicester, followed up in a 1m 2f novice stakes, beating Winston’s Tipple (received 7lb), 1 l. In August he went to Deauville and won a 1m 2f listed stakes by 3 ½ l from Son’s and Lovers, then in September at Longchamp, won a 1m 2f group 3 by ½ l from Start of the Day (received 4lb). 

He reappeared at Sandown in May last year finishing 2nd in a 1m 2f group 3, beaten 1 ¾ l by Almaqam (received 3lb), then in June at Royal Ascot won the 1m 2f group 1 Prince of Wales stakes by 2l from Anmaat, and then at Sandown in July was 2nd in the 1m 2f Group 1 Eclipse stakes beaten a neck by Delacroix (received 10 lb). In August at York he won the 1m 2f group 1 Juddmonte stakes by 3 ½ l from Delacroix (received 7lb), then at Ascot in October was 2nd in the 1m 2f group 1 Champion Stakes, beaten 2 ¼ l by Calandagan. 

He reappeared at Meydan in March winning the 1m 1f group 1 Dubai Turf by 2l from Quddwah and will be a major in all those races again this season.

Editors Rating - 4

Trainer J& T Gosden

2026 Flat Profile - Objector

3 y bg Dark Angel – The Hermitage (Cliff)

Unbeaten gelding who falls in to the could be anything category, he made his debut at Wolverhampton in December, winning a 1m 2 year old novice stakes by 3l from Mythical Bay, then followed up In January this year over course and distance in a 3 year old novice stakes, beating Al Bowlly (received 7lb) 11l.

George Scott told The Punter: "He's a lovely horse who has been a pleasure to deal with and he now qualifies for a handicap mark, so we'll be working back from one of the handicaps at Royal Ascot. 

Obviously he has to run twice more before then but we wanted to see him pushed out to the line today to get a mark and we'll reflect on what he has achieved."

Editors Rating - 3

Trainer G.Scott

2026 Flat Profile - Niminy Piminy

4 y ch f Siyouni – Geshia Girl (Peej)

Lightly Raced 4 year old who made her debut at Lingfield in December 2024 winning a 1m fillies novice stakes by 1l from Blast The Dream, then in April last year followed up at Southwell, winning a 7f restricted novice stakes by Itsneverjustone (received 7lb). In May at Ascot in a 1m handicap she finished 7th beaten 8 ¾ l by Fearnot (gave 4lb), then in August at Kempton was 2nd in a 1m handicap beaten a neck by Port Road (received 1lb). In September at Sandown in a 1m fillies handicap she was 2nd beaten 1l by Maeva (received 3lb), then in October at Newcastle finished 3rd in a 1m 2f handicap beaten 1 ½ l by Best Adventure. 

She finished the season at Lingfield in November finishing 10th beaten 9 ¾ l by Zariela (gave 2lb ) in a 1m listed fillies stakes. From the yard of an upcoming trainer she should win another fillies handicap at least.

Editors Rating - 2

Trainer O Sangster

2026 Flat Profile - Needle Match

3 y bc Night Of Thunder – Cleopatra’s Gift (Martin)

One of the could be any thing group, she made her debut at Newbury in October last year winning a 6f maiden stakes by a short head from Storming Point, then reappeared recently at Newbury finishing 4th in a 7f group 3 beaten 2 ¼ l by Alparslan. He holds a 2000 guineas entry ,currently 33/1 and a St James Palace entry 33/1. He is hard to assess but may be difficult to win with at top level

Editors Rating 3 

Trainer W.Haggas

2026 Flat Profile - My Ophelia

3 y bf Wootton Bassett-My Titania  (Steve)

One of the dark horses, she made her only appearance so far at Newbury last October, winning a 1m fillies novice stakes by 2l from Earth Shot. It is interesting that she holds entries in both English and Irish Oaks as her stamina does not look assured for those and the 1m 2f Pretty Polly stakes which she holds an entry for looks more suitable to me. That said she is only 16/1 for Epsom and 12/1 for the Curragh. 

Editors Rating 3 

Trainer W. Haggas

2026 Flat Profile - Montezuma

4y br g Blue Point -Seneca Falls  (Bob, Peej)

An interesting pick given he is 1 win from 10 starts, he made his debut at Kempton in October 2024 when trained by Charlie Appleby, finishing 5th beaten 3 ¼ l by Hott Shott (gave 7lb) in a 7f novice stakes, then at Newmarket in November was 5th, beaten 7l by Sixtygeesbaby in a 6f novice stakes. Gelded and sent to the sales, Jim Goldie paid 55,000 guineas for him, and he made his reappearance at Hamilton in June last year finishing 7th beaten 15 l in a 1m1f maiden by Danger Bay. 

In July in a 6f handicap at Hamilton he finished 3rd beaten 1 ¾ l by Monsieur Kodi (gave 1 lb), then at Chepstow in August was 4th in a 6f handicap beaten 1` ¼ l by Roberto Caro (gave 17lb). A week later at Windsor he finished 3rd in another 6f handicap, beaten 1 ¾ l by Brosay (gave 17lb), then was 2nd at Mussleburgh in September in a 5f handicap beaten ¾ l by I’M Next (gave 3lb). 2 weeks later at Ayr he was 6th beaten 4 ½ l in a 6f handicap behind Rousing Encore (Gave 12 lb), .

He reappeared in April this year at Mussleburgh finishing 2nd in a 5f handicap beaten 3 ¼ l by Wheels of Fire (gave 14 lb), then got of the mark on 12 April at Mussleburgh winning a 5f handicap by 1 ¾ l from Vince L’Armour (gave 2 lb). Jim Goldie knows how to improve a sprinter and he starts from a very workable mark and it will be interesting to see where he is at the end of the season. He reappeared recently at Musselburgh finishing 2nd in a 5f handicap beaten 1 l by Ziggy’s Triton (gave 8lb).

Editors Rating - 3

Trainer J.Goldie