bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 8.46s

(1)

Almeric¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 117| D

15/8

Quickly made into a smart colt when bagging listed races at Newmarket (9f) and Ayr (1¼m) in 2025. Found jump up in class too much when only ninth in Champion Stakes at Ascot (1¼m) final run but this lightly-raced sort remains with plenty of potential. Big shout.

Form: 41/119-

(3)

Devil's Advocate^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112| D

9/1

Smart performer who defied a mark of 104 in a 1¼m handicap at the Doncaster St Leger meeting. Resumed with a solid second of 7 in listed race at Kempton (1¼m) 18 days ago. Usual cheekpieces go back on now and may do better.

Form: 40417-2

(4)

King Of Cities²⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: K R Burke| OR: 110

5/2

Smart colt who landed Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York in August. Signed off for Richard Hannon with a below-par fifth in Prix Dollar at Longchamp but no surprise to see him bounce back for another good yard here.

Form: 293315-

(5)

Saddadd²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 107| BF| CD

2/1

Lightly-raced son of Pinatubo who looked a very good prospect when landing 1¼m handicaps at Newbury and Sandown. Ended 2025 with a good third in listed event at Goodwood in September. Appeals as the sort to do better still this season.

Form: 1/32113-

(2)

Muddy Mooy¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Charlie Pike| OR: 100

28/1

Useful mare who was hooded when an excellent second in listed event at Chantilly last July on her final outing for Paul Attwater. Returned from 9 months off with a good third in Kempton listed contest (1¼m) 18 days ago. This is tougher though.

Form: 14742-3

Forecasts

Almeric (15/8), Saddadd (2/1), King Of Cities (5/2), Devil's Advocate (9/1), Muddy Mooy (28/1)

ALMERIC found the step up to Group 1 company at Ascot too big an ask last autumn but had looked an excellent prospect prior to that and is taken to resume winning ways on his seasonal return here. Saddadd also appeals as an improver in 2026 and could emerge as the main danger to Andrew Balding's 4-y-o, although both King Of Cities and Devil's Advocate can't be discounted either in a fascinating renewal of the Gordon Richards.