Ascot Stakes m3x1y |
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| Handicap, Ascot 17:00 £110,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 210y, Class 2  |
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412l67
It’s the sort of move that sends a ripple down the Rowley Mile and reverberates all the way to the parade ring at Ascot: Colin Keane, fresh from g ink still drying on a glittering new deal with Juddmonte, is set to shelve those famous pink, green and white silks—at least temporarily—for a pair of tantalising Royal Ascot assignments under the command of none other than Willie Mullins.
The Ascot Stakes, that unique 2m4f battleground blending Flat finesse with staying grit, is where it begins on Tuesday. And in a contest where Mullins has struck thrice between 2015 and 2018 but drawn a blank since, the master of Closutton is rallying his troops once more with a familiar sense of mission.
Enter Keane, the six-time Irish Champion Flat jockey, booked to ride the intriguingly-named Too Bossy For Us, flying the colours of the HOS Syndicate—a combination that may just whisper value in a race known to reward the bold and the brave.
But the plot thickens. In a show of strength befitting a trainer with both Cheltenham and Ascot in his grip, Mullins has also called upon William Buick, Godolphin’s No.1 and Appleby’s go-to, to take the reins on the most enigmatic runner of the race: Triumph Hurdle shocker who stunned the Festival and could now turn heads on the Flat stage.
Mullins’ firepower doesn’t stop at the Ascot Stakes. He’s won the Copper Horse Handicap two years running—Vauban blitzed the field in 2023, and Belloccio followed suit last year. This time, he goes in again, with Keane likely to partner Pappano, also for the HOS Syndicate, and Buick handed the keys to Charlus, a hefty £265,000 recruit with eyes on glory.
All told, victory across both contests would net a tidy £115,000, but for Mullins, this is about more than just prize money—it’s about cementing his status as the Flat’s most feared National Hunt invader.
Keane, who bounced back from Newmarket disappointment to pilot Field Of Gold to Irish 1,000 Guineas glory, is riding the crest of a wave. His Juddmonte contract—described by CEO Douglas Erskine Crum as a return to “security and consistency”—is the latest chapter in a career defined by tactical nous and ice-cold timing.
“In Colin, we believe we’ve secured not just a world-class jockey,” said Crum, “but one who shares Juddmonte’s values.”
Values, yes—but for one day at least, it's Ascot and ambition that align. And in the Ascot Stakes, Keane, Mullins, and a bold squadron of stayers are ready to steal the show.
Ascot Stakes Handicap
£110,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 210y, Class 2
49 entries
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 6/64-8 Alcaraz 6 - Tom Dascombe
2 8-3074 Align The Stars 4 - Charlie Johnston Joe Fanning
3 1/17- All In You 5 - Gary & Josh Moore Tom Queally
4 1081-0 Alphonse Le Grande 6 - A J Martin
5 /47-74 Artistic Star 5 - Ralph Beckett Jack Dace
6 /221-1 Ascending 6 - Henry De Bromhead
7 235-44 Barnso 4 - Miss Natalia Lupini
8 25173/ Brave Knight 5 - Paul Nicholls
9 -11121 Caballo De Mar 4 - George Scott Callum Shepherd
10 47-751 Caprelo 4 - Hughie Morrison
11 1/112- Charlus 4 - W P Mullins
12 94654/ Colonia Victoria 5 - Paul Nolan
13 2/071- Comfort Zone 6 - Joseph O'Brien
14 12/3-3 Common Practice 6 - Joseph O'Brien
15 1212-4 o 4 - Andrew Balding
16 561-60 Dawn Rising 8 - Joseph O'Brien
17 80-230 Divine Comedy 7 - Harry Eustace Kaiya Fraser
18 4314-1 East India Dock 4 - James Owen James Doyle
19 /54-44 Feigning Madness 4 - Ralph Beckett Hector Crouch
20 /250-1 Gentleman Joe 7 - Henry De Bromhead
21 2111-1 Godsend 4 - Sir Mark Prescott Bt Luke Morris
22 -16652 Jabbar 6 - Gerard O'Leary
23 3433-6 Kyle Of Lochalsh 5 - Hughie Morrison Billy Loughnane
24 /13-14 Leinster 4 - Joseph O'Brien
25 215/1 Liari 5 - Michael Bell Kieran Shoemark
26 6-9034 Lieber Power 5 - Andrew Balding
27 312-21 Manxman 5 - Simon & Ed Crisford
28 621-91 Molten Sea 4 - William Haggas
29 7/1-31 Mordor 5 - Gordon Elliott
30 003-12 Mr Hampstead 4 - Raphael E Freire David Egan
31 /221-1 Mr Percy 5 - Joseph O'Brien
32 05/70- Ndaawi 5 - Gordon Elliott
33 /644-0 Nurburgring 5 - Joseph O'Brien
34 58513- Pappano 4 - W P Mullins
35 20830- Poniros 4 - W P Mullins William Buick
36 3210-2 Reaching High 4 - W P Mullins
37 12-421 Robbies Rock 4 - Gavin Cromwell
38 2/116 San Salvador 9 - Joseph O'Brien
39 318-18 Saturn 5 - Mrs John Harrington
40 34654- Scottish Anthem 6 - Michael Keady
41 13284- Too Bossy For Us 4 - W P Mullins Colin Keane
42 20-580 Tritonic 8 - Alan King
43 1040-5 Trooper Bisdee 5 - Sir Mark Prescott Bt Luke Morris
44 250-30 Vaguely Royal 5 - Anthony Charlton
45 65970- Vischio 8 - Emmet Mullins
46 46-084 Wild Waves 4 - Andrew Balding
47 016-22 Woot City 8 - F Chappet
48 -03462 Youthful King 6 - Luke Dace
49 0940-3 Zoffee 9 - Hugo Palmer
ASCOT HANDICAP WINNERS
YR/DATE WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WGT SP
2024 PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE Sir Mark Prescott Bt Luke Morris Victorious Racing 4-8-13 20/1
2023 AHORSEWITHNONAME Nicky Henderson William Buick D J Burke & P Alderson 8-9-08 7/1
2022 COLTRANE Andrew Balding Callum Hutchinson Mick & Janice Mariscotti 5-9-05 14/1
2021 RESHOUN Ian Williams William Buick Dr Marwan Koukash 7-9-07 66/1
2020 COUER DE LION Alan King Thore Hammer Hansen The Barbury Boys 7-8-10 16/1
2019 THE GRAND VISIR Ian Williams Richard Kingscote CLXX 5-9-10 12/1
2018 LAGOSTOVEGAS Willie Mullins IRE Andrea Atzeni John Donohue 6-9-03 10/1
2017 THOMAS HOBSON Willie Mullins IRE Ryan Moore Susannah Ricci 7-9-10 4/1F
2016 JENNIES JEWEL Jarlath Farley IRE Ronan Whelan Andrew McIntyre 9-9-03 6/1
2015 CLONDAW WARRIOR Willie Mullins IRE Ryan Moore Act D Wagg Syndicate 8-9-00 5/1F
2014 DOMINATION Charles Byrnes IRE Fran Berry Carol Cleary 7-9-07 12/1
2013 WELL SHARP Jonjo O’Neill Fran Berry J P McManus 5-9-10 9/1
2012 SIMENON Willie Mullins IRE Ryan Moore Wicklow Bloodstock Limited 5-9-10 8/1
2011 VEILED Nicky Henderson Eddie Ahern Pump & Plant Services Ltd 5-9-03 11/2
2010 JUNIOR David Pipe Seb Sanders Middleham Park Racing LI 7-9-00 17/2
2009 JUDGETHEMOMENT Jane Chapple-Hyam Richard Hughes Gordon Li 4-9-05 13/2
2008 MISSOULA Suzy Smith Sam Hitchcott M Weaver & Pollards Bloodstock 5-9-00 20/1
2007 FULL HOUSE Paul Webber Jimmy Fortune Chamberlain Addiscott Partnership 8-9-01 20/1
2006 BADDAM Mick Channon Ian Mongan Noel Martin 4-9-02 33/1
*2005 LEG SPINNER Tony Martin IRE Fran Berry Bill Moffett 4-8-12 9/1
2004 DOUBLE OBSESSION Mark Johnston John Egan Ron Huggins, R B Huckerby, Atlantic Racing 4-9-02 25/1
2003 SINDAPOUR Martin Pipe Martin Dwyer Mary Burke 5-8-03 12/1
2002 RIYADH Martin Pipe Kieren Fallon Salah Helaissi 4-9-05 7/1F
2001 COVER UP Sir Michael Stoute Kieren Fallon Lord Weinstock 4-9-10 12/1
2000 BARBA PAPA Tony Martin IRE Johnny Murtagh Glen Devlin 6-9-07 10/1
1999 HIGH AND MIGHTY John Gosden Frankie Dettori Sheikh Mohammed 4-9-06 10/1
1998 SAN SEBASTIAN Michael Grassick IRE Eddie Ahern Ricardo Sanz 4-9-05 16/1
1997 SEA FREEDOM Toby Balding Steve Drowne Bridget Swire 6-8-03 20/1
1996 SOUTHERN POWER Reg Akehurst Olivier Peslier Lucayan Stud 5-9-07 25/1
1995 HARLESTONE BROOK John Dunlop Michael Kinane John Dunlop 5-9-08 6/1
1994 SWEET GLOW Martin Pipe Cash Asmussen Marilyn Fairbrother 7-9-01 14/1
1993 BALASANI Martin Pipe Mark Perrett M D Smith 7-9-01 8/1
1992 GONDOLIER Henry Cecil Pat Eddery Lord Howard de Walden 4-9-09 7/1F
1991 CABOCHON David Morley Willie Carson Sir Piers Bengough 4-8-06 15/2
1990 RETOUCH Paul Cole Michael Roberts Simon Wingfield Digby 4-8-02 12/1
1989 ARIZELOS Guy Harwood Steve Cauthen Athos Christodoulou 4-10-00 4/1F
1988 ZERO WATT Guy Harwood Greville Starkey Sheikh Mohammed 4-9-03 7/2F
1987 INLANDER Reg Akehurst Nicky Adams Jeff Daniels 6-7-07 5/1
1986 RIKKI TAVI Barry Hills Willie Carson Alan Boon 6-7-10 7/2F
1985 MEADOWBROOK Ian Balding Pat Eddery Mrs John A McDougald 4-8-06 9/1
1984 KAYUDEE Jimmy FitzGerald Tony Murray Kenton Utilities & Developments 4-8-09 11/2
1983 RIGHT REGENT Martin Pipe Steve Cauthen S Hindle 5-8-08 6/1
1982 POPSIS JOY Mick Haynes Willie Carson Victor Morley Lawson 7-8-11 5/1
1981ATLANTIC TRAVELLER Bill Watts George Duffield C Campbell Golding 4-7-12 7/1
1980 HEIGHLIN David Elsworth Richard Fox Woodside Engineers 4-7-12 8/1
1979 MON’S BEAU Giles Beeson Walter Swinburn M Vine 4-7-07 14/1
1978 MOUNTAIN CROSS Bill Watts John Lowe Mrs A Leggatt 6-9-11 11/4F
1977 MATINALE Barry Hills Ernie Johnson Mrs Olga Thurston 4-7-08 7/1
