15:30 Newmarket

Friday 1 May 2026

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Betfred Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2)

4YO plus | Class 1 | 1m 4f | 7 Runners | Turf

(4)

Bay City Roller¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Loughnane| T: George Scott| OR: 117| D

2/1

Runner-up in 3 Group 2s in France last season before easily winning a soft-ground Group 1 at Munich (1½m) on his final 3-y-o start. That very smart performance gives him leading form claims here, even under a 3 lb penalty.

Form: 262241-

(2)

Eydon¹³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 114| C| D

9/2

Fourth in the 2022 2000 Guineas here. Off for 2 years after that but still capable of smart form, winning Newbury Group 3 and Milan Group 2 over this trip last season. Well beaten in Hong Kong on final start.

Form: 2/21410-

(1)

French Master²⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D Egan| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108| D

5/1

Winner of 1¾m handicaps at Goodwood and Royal Ascot at the start of last summer. Weakened quickly in the Ebor on final start but his yard's good form provides hope that he may bounce back on return (has been gelded). Goes without the headgear he wore on final 3 starts last year.

Form: 1/21150-

(3)

Lion's Pride¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110| BF| CD

10/3

Emphatic winner of a C&D listed race last autumn. Found out at Group 2 level in the Middle East over the winter but made a respectable return to Britain when 3½ lengths fourth of 6 to Convergent in the John Porter at Newbury (1½m, good) 13 days ago.

Form: 2/615-64

(6)

Paradias²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: H Crouch| T: A King| OR: 105| D

33/1

Smart handicapper who has been a tremendous servant for connections and looked as good as ever when winning at Lingfield (1½m) in February. Creditable third of 14 at Newcastle (1¼m) on Good Friday but more will be needed now tackling a pattern race for first time back on turf.

Form: 442-313

(5)

Sunway^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: D Menuisier| OR: 112

15/2

Generally reliable type who started the year with a win and second in Group 3s over 1¾m at Meydan. Too keen in blinkers when well beaten in the 2m Dubai Gold Cup there 5 weeks ago. The blinkers are left off on his return to Britain. Could bounce back with a bang.

Form: 746-120

(7)

Santorini Star²⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 107| D

5/1

Progressed very well last year, winning 4 times, including the Group 2 Park Hill at Doncaster (1¾m, good). Respectable 4½ lengths second of 12 to Consent in Group 1 Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp (1¾m, good to soft) on final start.

Form: 144112-

Forecasts

Bay City Roller (9/4), Lion's Pride (7/2), Eydon (4/1), Santorini Star (6/1), Sunway (7/1), French Master (7/1), Paradias (33/1)

BAY CITY ROLLER has a near miss in a Group 2 and win in a Group 1 to show from his previous outings over 1½m and is selected to make light of a penalty on his return to action. Second choice is Sunway, who can be excused his latest run in Dubai and had been in good form there prior to that. Lion's Pride is also respected back at the scene of his easy listed success last autumn.