The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes is a handicap run over 5f. It takes place at 18:15 on Friday 21st June, which is the fourth day of Royal Ascot 2024. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

2⁽²⁷⁾

11-292

Sommelier

J: Ryan Moore

T: Marco Botti

9-8

109

Impressive in two AW events last November (6f); good second at Newcastle on his handicap debut in January before a lesser effort back there on Good Friday; showed turf was no problem when chasing home Big Evs at the York Dante meeting (5f, good; cheekpieces first time); today's stiffer test should suit; still capable of better.

14⁽¹²⁾

21-031

Pilgrim

J: Joe Fanning

T: David & Nicola Barron

9-1

115

Couldn't live with Jubilee Walk late on at York last month but his third there still represented improvement; has since given that form real ballast by routing his rivals at Musselburgh three weeks ago (5f, good to soft); finds himself 4lb worse off with Jubliee Walk as a consequence and fast ground is not sure to suit so well.

27⁽¹⁴⁾

150-12

Vantheman

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

8-11

115

Big improvement for a gelding operation and switch to handicaps this year, winning decisively at Newcastle last month before chasing home Jubilee Walk at York five weeks ago; that effort can be marked up - three of the first four home were drawn 1, 2 and 3 while he was in stall 13 and thrashed the others drawn high - and he's 5lb better off with the winner today; has lots of speed and still open to further progress.

5⁽⁷⁾

378-06

Symbology

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Clive Cox

9-6

104

Won a fillies' novice at York on her debut last July (6f, good); acquitted herself with credit in Group races afterwards, best effort when a close third in the Lowther at York's Ebor meeting (6f, good to firm); has a fair bit to prove after two modest runs in Listed races this season.

28⁽²⁴⁾

18562-

Markakol

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

8-11

104

Highly tried after his novice win (5f, AW) last summer and came up short; absent since October (gelded soon after latest start) and others look more persuasive.

12⁽¹⁷⁾

431-41

Blue Storm

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Gemma Tutty

9-3

112

Improving for Gemma Tutty and he took his form to a new level when picking up smartly to win the 3yo Dash at Epsom on Derby day (5f, good to soft); hit with a 6lb hike and he has yet to race on turf faster than good; today's race will present a different test and others have stronger credentials.

10⁽⁶⁾

1269-2

Matters Most

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

9-4

112

Came up just short in Listed race at Ripon after winning a Windsor nursery (6f, good) last July; gelded prior to his reappearance 18 days ago when he again ran well at Windsor, finding one too strong but clear of the third; has the early speed to deal with the return to 5f; apart from a couple of blips on heavy ground, his profile is one of steady improvement; there could well be more to come from him.

25⁽²⁰⁾

1-1557

Billy Webster

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

8-12

111

Looked an exciting prospect when winning two Tapeta handicaps (5f) this winter; possible to excuse his three defeats since (poorly drawn first two and then ended up in the middle of the track at Epsom three weeks ago); has something to prove on fast ground but it's unlikely this mark will be beyond him; usual cheekpieces are back on after one go in blinkers.

4⁽²⁵⁾

5-1674

Got To Love A Grey

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

9-6

111

Came to hand early as a 2yo, winning at Nottingham and York (Listed) before her fifth of 26 here in the Queen Mary; improved to win Chantilly Listed event in March (5.5f, heavy) but put in her place in Group 3s and Listed race since; others look more favourably handicapped.

9⁽³⁰⁾

11-916

Brave Empire

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Roger Varian

9-4

109

Two wins over 6f on turf last June; three runs in AW handicaps early this year, winning small-field event at Lingfield in February (6f) but no real excuses at Newcastle or Lingfield either side of it; first 5f run since finishing down the field on his 2yo debut.

6⁽⁴⁾

541-11

Jubilee Walk

J: Oisin Murphy

T: James Ferguson

9-6

115

Each of his five starts has seen him take a significant step forward, winning his last three and creating a big impression when powering clear in a 17-runner handicap at York's Dante meeting (5f, good; from Vantheman); looked a smart sprinter in the making on that occasion and a 7lb rise may still underestimate him; this stiffer test at 5f should be ideal; entered in the July Cup and looks a Group-race performer in the making.

3⁽¹⁶⁾

311-11

Woodhay Wonder

J: Tom Marquand

T: Tom Ward

9-7

112

5-6 on turf, the only defeat coming in a Group 2 at Newmarket last summer; two good efforts at Newmarket this season, latterly pulling clear with one other four weeks ago (6f, good to firm); 5lb higher in a deeper race but she's uncomplicated, tough and still improving; 5f asks a new question but she's not short of speed; contender.

7⁽³⁾

256-42

Majestic Beauty

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

9-5

110

Two wins for Alice Haynes as a 2yo as well as a Listed second at Newbury; switched to Adrian Murray for her 3yo campaign and after a fair fourth at Cork last month she recorded a personal best when second of 11 on handicap debut at the Curragh 16 days ago (clear with Kendall Roy); up 4lb and has more on her plate this time; unraced on faster than good.

23⁽¹⁾

21115

No Half Measures

J: George Rooke

T: Richard Hughes

8-13

112

Two AW wins this spring and she completed her hat-trick when easily seeing off three rivals in a 5f handicap at Goodwood last month; came up just short in Listed race at Sandown (5f, good to soft) last week but it was still a sound effort; should win more races but she may prove vulnerable in this field now faced with fast ground for the first time.

16⁽¹⁵⁾

1314-1

Scorchio

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Jack W Davison

9-0

108

Big improver when switched to the AW at Dundalk in late 2023, winning two 5f handicaps and climbing over 20lb in the weights; showed she isn't a one-trick pony when beating Kendall Roy at Cork on her return to turf 31 days ago (5f, good; after five months off), strong in the closing stages; that form has been boosted by the runner-up but this filly has a 7lb higher mark to deal with this time.

18⁽¹⁰⁾

1854-5

Mon Na Slieve

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Kevin Ryan

9-0

105

Knew his job when making all in a York maiden (5f, good) on debut last May; his limitations have been exposed in Group and Listed races since and his stable looks to have stronger claims with Vantheman.

17⁽²²⁾

2122-2

Two Tribes

J: Jason Hart

T: Richard Spencer

9-0

113

Just one win from his seven starts but he looked better than ever at Newmarket (6f, good) last month on his return from a 225-day break, surging to the front 1f out but not seeing things out quite so well as the winner; that represents strong form and he won't be inconvenienced by the return to a stiff 5f; each-way shout.

24⁽²¹⁾

892-74

Thunder Blue

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

8-13

106

Highly tried after winning a 6f novice at Goodwood one year ago (for Dominic Ffrench Davis); changed hands for 110,000gns last month; gelded since last seen; something to prove on a rare 5f run.

1⁽⁸⁾

31033-

Toca Madera

J: Joe Leavy

T: Brian Meehan

9-9

100

Won a firm-ground novice (5.5f) at Bath last June before finding the Norfolk Stakes here all too much for him; Group 2 placed in the July Stakes and Richmond Stakes on final two starts as a 2yo; makes his seasonal/handicap debut in a hot race and others bring more persuasive claims.

13⁽¹⁹⁾

265-23

Shagraan

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Michael Appleby

9-3

112

Useful 2yo for Clive Cox without quite making the grade at Listed/Group 3 level; has run well in two sprint handicaps for his new connections and his latest Newmarket third (good form) strongly pointed to this drop in trip looking the right move; may yet rate higher.

22⁽³¹⁾

24-230

Hedge Fund

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

8-13

110

Two wins in Class 5 company as a 2yo; good placed efforts in useful 5f handicaps to start his 3yo campaign but he flopped behind Jubilee Walk at York and others bring far greater potential.

19⁽¹¹⁾

1-17

Airman

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

8-13

108

Justified odds-on favouritism on his 2yo debut at Beverley last July (5f, heavy); absent for 286 days prior to defying a penalty at Hamilton last month (5f, good to soft); upped to Group 2 for his third outing (6f, heavy) where he was always on the back foot after another tardy start; his July Cup entry is notable and it's highly likely he's better than his opening mark, but he's not alone in that regard and has something to prove on today's faster surface.

21⁽²⁾

5-11

Dorney Lake

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

8-13

113

Beaten just under 4l at Goodwood on debut last August (6f, good to soft); had a wind operation prior to his easy reappearance win at Yarmouth last month (6f, good; fine Topspeed figure) and not extended to land odds of 1-8 at Lingfield three weeks ago (tongue tied for the first time); exuberant colt for whom 5f should suit; one to consider.

15⁽⁹⁾

41-61

Mukaafah

J: Jim Crowley

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

9-1

116

Beaten favourite on his 2yo debut (6f, soft) but he was a different proposition at Kempton in November on his second start, ridden aggressively and coming home clear of his rivals in a good time; too free on his seasonal return and he was fitted with a hood for his handicap debut at Doncaster five weeks ago (6f, good to firm), a race he won in the manner of a sprinter with a lot more to offer; now 8lb higher but he looks fast enough for 5f and, if anything, this trip could bring about further improvement; high on the list.

26⁽⁵⁾

313-85

Moswaat

J: Sean Levey

T: Roger Varian

8-12

108

His 2yo win came on soft ground over 6f; showed he could handle faster conditions when a close fifth at Windsor 18 days ago, but hard pressed to say he's well-enough treated to win a race like this.

8⁽¹⁸⁾

122-63

Dark Vintage

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

9-4

108

Raced in the US as a 2yo, winning on firm ground at Del Mar; no headgear on his British debut in April but fared better when third of seven behind Big Evs at York five weeks ago (5f, good; visored); this more thorough 5f test on faster ground should be in his favour but he will need to take a step forward to win.

11⁽²⁹⁾

322-12

Tazara

J: Maxime Guyon

T: C Ferland

9-3

102

Prominent racer; won a Deauville fillies' maiden in April (6f, heavy) before showing much better form in a Listed race at Chelmsford seven weeks ago, getting to the front from her wide stall but unable to cope with a rapid improver late on; seen to maximum effect there and not sure she's well handicapped; new trip and ground too; wears a hood for the first time.

20⁽²⁶⁾

111

Dyrholaey

J: James Doyle

T: Archie Watson

8-13

117

3-3 on AW this year, overcoming inexperience to win at Chelmsford in January (6f) before an emphatic success at Wolverhampton in March; drop to 5f proved no bother at Newcastle in April, pulling well clear with the runner-up; showed a fine attitude on that latest start and although turf is an unknown factor, the yard won this 12 months ago with one who'd cut his teeth on AW; acquired by Wathnan Racing since last seen; unexposed.

RACING POST TIP

Jubilee Walk

This is just the fifth running of this 5f handicap in its current guise but it looks comfortably the most intriguing renewal with a host of interesting sprinters locking horns. Dyrholaey and Dorney Lake are unbeaten this year and make their handicap debut with potential but this will be a stiffer test of their credentials. Mukaafah saw off a subsequent winner in fine style on his handicap debut and this exuberant colt could be even better suited by 5f. He looks ahead of his mark, as does Vantheman whose York second last month can be upgraded, but even at today's revised weights JUBILEE WALK, his conqueror at the Dante meeting, is preferred. James Ferguson's colt has improved with each start and he produced a power-packed finish when winning at York, a victory achieved in spite of the sharp track rather than because of it. He looked a Group horse in the making there and can take the 7lb rise in his stride. Of those at bigger prices, Billy Webster and Matters Most are likely to go well.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2023	Rhythm N Hooves [25]	3	8-8	12/1	Archie Watson	Hollie Doyle
2022	Latin Lover [11]	3	8-2	5/1	Harry Eustace	Hayley Turner
2021	Significantly [24]	3	9-1	10/1	K R Burke	Clifford Lee
2020	Art Power [19]	3	9-0	6/4F	Tim Easterby	Silvestre De Sousa

What happened in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes last year?

RHYTHM N HOOVES was well backed here and he got up late on what was just his second appearance on turf. Kerdos travelled smoothly to the lead, getting a good tow into contention, but drifted to his left and was collared in the latter stages. Well supported favourite Jer Batt, a place ahead of Kerdos at Chester the month before, made no impact despite a decent draw, and looked in need of easier ground.

Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap

18:15 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

What happened in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes last year?

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