Can Wave Rider continue Charlton stable's outstanding record? Analysis and key quotes for London Gold Cup at Newbury

The London Gold Cup is one of the easiest non-Pattern races of the season to sell. It is simply a breeding ground for future Group performers.

Three of the past nine winners are now stallions. Two of the others (Defoe and Israr) scored at Royal Ascot, and that would have been three had King’s Gambit enjoyed a smoother run in last year's Hampton Court. 

We will learn plenty with eight handicap debutants lining up and one of those, Genealogy, is attracting plenty of attention with bookmakers. 

Notwithstanding the high-profile blowout of The Lion In Winter in the Dante, Aidan O’Brien has been mopping up middle-distance three-year-old races and Genealogy could be well handicapped on his return. That lack of recent match practice, however, tempers enthusiasm as O’Brien’s runners have been coming forward for a run. We may see more from Genealogy in a Royal Ascot handicap next month. 

The list of alternatives to the favourite is extensive. The excellent record of the Charlton stable in this race gives Wave Rider an obvious shout for Harry Charlton. He should have won at Wolverhampton on his final run to qualify for a mark after a wide trip, although the application of a first-time hood on this rise in distance may put some off.

Almaqam’s half-brother Saddadd gave himself a taste of this course and distance when running well in the face of a potentially impossible task behind the Arc-entered Gethin last time. 

The Listed form of John and Thady Gosden’s pair Nebras and Ernst Blofeld took a hit after Alpine Trail finished last in the Dante. They have the pedigrees to be well treated, though, with Nebras closely related to Nashwa and Frankel colt Ernst Blofeld out of a dam who was top class on firm ground in the US.

He is one for Placepot and Scoop6 consideration on this bumper day and so is Asmen Warrior for Richard Newland and Jamie Insole, whose runners are often underestimated. 

Asmen Warrior is bred for a quick surface and recorded a rock-solid time on his return at Redcar behind Chester Vase third Convergent, who would be conceding 20lb to Asmen Warrior if the pair met in a handicap now. 

The gut feeling is Asmen Warrior’s close second to a well-bred Juddmonte newcomer in a Leicester novice last month will provide a meaningful formline. That may become apparent after this informative handicap.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Harry Charlton: would be happier if some rain were forecast for Wave RiderCredit: Edward Whitaker

'Wave Rider will have to relax to get the distance'

Four of the last nine runnings of this handicap have gone to the Charlton stable via Time Test (2015), Imperial Aviator (2016), Headman (2019) and King’s Gambit (2024).

Wave Rider is the Beckhampton representative this year, and Harry Charlton, not surprisingly a keen student of the race, believes his three-year-old will go well in what he feels might not be a vintage running.

“He’s stepping up to a mile and two furlongs from seven furlongs,” he said. “The trip was definitely too short for him at Wolverhampton. He’s bred to stay further, but he’ll have to relax to get the distance. I'd be happier if there was some rain forecast, but we're all in the same boat.”

Wave Rider graduates to handicaps after three runs in novice events off a mark of 83, which Charlton believes is fair.

“He’s ready to run,” he added. “His form is very solid. We’ve had success in this race, including with Al Kazeem, so I’ve become a bit of a student of the race. I might be wrong, but I don’t think it is a vintage London Gold Cup this year.”

What they say

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Nebras and Ernst Blofeld
Nebras ran a great race to be second in the Newmarket Stakes last time. He's come out of that well and this looks a natural stepping stone. Ernst Blofeld is learning all the time and there should be more to come.

Roger Varian, trainer of Saddadd
I'm a big fan as I think he's progressing. I was pleased with his run last time when the winner [Gethin] looked very good. He's going back over the course and distance and I hope he's okay on the ground – he might be better with a bit of juice. He's training very well and I wouldn't swap him.

Richard Hughes, trainer of Circus Of Rome
This year's running doesn't look as strong as it could be and he's got a great chance. He had no luck in running at Sandown and he's got a good each-way chance.

Jamie Insole, joint-trainer of Asmen Warrior
He's run two nice races this season. Convergent, who beat him at Redcar, is clearly a good horse [officially rated 102], and he then found only a first-time-out Juddmonte runner [Skimmer] too strong for him at Leicester. I’m sure that run will have sharpened him up, and he’s got a really nice mark of 82 and a low weight. He’ll love the ground, the galloping track, and the fact Newbury is flatter than Leicester.

Jack Channon, trainer of Lightening Mann
I'm really happy with him. He’s progressed nicely through the spring, loves top of the ground and stays a mile and a quarter well. He meets some unexposed types, but I’m sure he’ll run well.

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