The Copper Horse Stakes is a handicap run over 1m6f. It takes place at 18:10 on Tuesday 17th June, which is the first day of Royal Ascot 2025. 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

1⁽¹⁷⁾

1-64P0

Prydwen

J: Hector Crouch

T: George Scott

9-12

105

109

Pulled up in Saudi Arabia in February (heart issue) and soundly beaten on sole run since in handicap at Haydock last month; however, he may have needed that latest run and is 2lb lower than when winning a handicap at Killarney last August; followed up in 1m6f Group 3 in Germany; not ruled out.

15⁽¹⁸⁾

3/40-4

Jesse Evans

J: Oisin Orr

T: Noel Meade

9-3

107

9yo who is without a Flat win since August 2023; however, he won in fine style over hurdles three weeks ago and ran well when fourth at Gowran Park in April on his latest Flat outing, when he was denied a clear run and could have done with a stronger gallop; not discounted each-way.

13⁽⁶⁾

5/390-

My Mate Mozzie

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Gavin Cromwell

9-4

112

No threat on his last two Flat starts last August/September but was third of 16 in this 12 months ago (good to firm) when 1lb lower; ran well at the Cheltenham Festival in March; holds each-way claims once more.

6⁽¹²⁾

257-34

Real Dream

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

9-8

101

113

Five runs in the last two seasons and the two good performances came on his reappearances; tailed-off fourth at Nottingham in April last time and something to prove after that, but this C&D winner had previously made a very encouraging stable debut at Kempton (1m3f, AW); capable if back on song in a reapplied tongue-tie (worn throughout career apart from last two starts).

5⁽¹⁵⁾

644-68

Crypto Force

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

9-9

102

110

0-8, all in Group races, since winning 2yo Group 2 at the Curragh in September 2022; could be on a fair mark for this first handicap and there's some stamina in his pedigree, but it remains to be seen if he'll stay this new trip and others arrive with more pressing claims.

4⁽¹⁹⁾

61204-

Fairbanks

J: Chris Hayes

T: William Durkan

9-9

102

112

Progressive for Andrew Balding last year, winning two handicaps (1m4f/1m6f, AW/good); went over hurdles last month for his new yard and won a maiden at Ballinrobe three weeks ago; could go well now back on the Flat.

11⁽¹¹⁾

57-337

Loughville

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

9-5

108

Three handicap wins last year (various ground) and reappeared with close third at Musselburgh (1m6f) in April; creditable Listed third at Goodwood (1m4f) next time; failed to settle when down the field off revised mark in Goodwood handicap (1m6f) latest, however, and needs to be better than ever.

3⁽⁵⁾

2320-5

Samui

J: Colin Keane

T: Gordon Elliott

9-9

102

104

In rude health last summer, including when second off this mark in competitive handicap at York (2m, good to firm); won over hurdles in January but his form has been mixed since across both codes; below best back on Flat last time.

9⁽¹⁾

1/112-

Charlus

J: Ryan Moore

T: W P Mullins

9-5

105

Won in France on first three starts (1m2f/9.5f, AW/heavy) before Listed third there last May (9.5f, heavy); won on hurdle/stable debut at Naas (2m, soft to heavy) in January before heavy defeat in the Triumph Hurdle; unraced on good/good to firm but his top Irish jumps trainer has won the last two runnings and this 4yo has potential off this mark now back on the Flat; player.

8⁽³⁾

235-44

Barnso

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Miss Natalia Lupini

9-5

112

Progressive 3yo last year, close third in Listed race at Leopardstown (1m6f, good) in August and fifth of 22 in handicap there (1m5f, good) in September when on the wrong end of a pace bias; fair fourth of six in slowly run Group 3 in April; could run on to good effect if getting a strong gallop.

10⁽¹³⁾

47-541

Lavender Hill Mob

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

9-5

113

Rallied to win by just over 3l in a small field at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; this trip could be within range and a 4lb rise could have been worse, but he needs another career best in this much hotter race.

7⁽⁷⁾

911-21

French Master

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-7

100

114

Made it three wins from his five starts when upped in trip and scoring by a neck at Goodwood (1m6f, good) last month; ran in snatches and was denied a clear run, and he deserves extra credit for that win; could have more to offer now in blinkers and he's firmly in calculations up 4lb.

14⁽¹⁶⁾

121-14

Champagne Prince

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

9-4

113

Best form has come on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including Listed win) as opposed to 0-5 on turf; however, he has a lower mark in this sphere and his best run on grass came here (1m4f, good to firm) last August, when keeping on for a neck second; not ruled out now back here after a break.

2⁽¹⁴⁾

591-39

Endless Victory

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

9-11

104

109

Weakened when upped to 1m4f at Meydan in February last time, so stamina is a doubt; however, this lightly raced 4yo was progressive over 1m2f previously (good to firm/good to soft) and his brother Cross Counter won the 2m Melbourne Cup for his top connections; retains potential; interesting.

16⁽²⁾

5114-0

Aeronautic

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-3

110

Two wins (10.6f/1m5f, AW/good to yielding) last July from first three starts before creditable Listed fourth at Leopardstown (1m6f, good); down the field in handicap at the Curragh (1m2f, good) on reappearance but in excellent hands and this unexposed 4yo could bounce back with a big run.

12⁽⁹⁾

-11121

Caballo De Mar

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

9-4

112

Completed a five-timer (1m5f-2m) in April before close second of 15 in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) last month; returned to winning ways in small field at Haydock (2m, good) last time; he's 9lb higher than at Chester but has been highly progressive and could still have more left in the tank.

RACING POST TIP

Charlus

Willie Mullins has won the last two runnings and CHARLUS, who showed considerable promise during his short Flat career in France, has potential off his current mark. The progressive Gosden contender French Master could be a big danger, however, especially as he might be just the type to benefit from blinkers. A strong pace in this big field would aid Barnso, who is next on the list. The progressive Caballo De Mar could also be involved, along with the unexposed Aeronautic.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2024	Belloccio [14]	6	9-7	SP	Willie Mullins	William Buick
2023	Vauban [7]	5	9-8	EvensF	W P Mullins	Ryan Moore
2022	Get Shirty [7]	6	9-6	16/1	David O’Meara	Daniel Tudhope
2021	Amtiyaz [9]	4	9-1	33/1	John & Thady Gosden	Hollie Doyle
2020	Fujaira Prince [16]	6	9-4	3/1F	Roger Varian	Andrea Atzeni

Key race stats 2025

Key trends

Aged five or six, 4/5
Official rating of 99 or higher, 4/5
Carried 9st 6lb or more, 3/5
In the top two in the betting, 3/5
Won last start, 2/5

Other factor

Willie Mullins-trained runners in the five-year history of this race have recorded form figures of 5121, winning the last two editions with Vauban and Belloccio.

What happened in the Copper Horse Stakes last year?

Willie Mullins enjoys festival winners all year round and was successful at the royal meeting with BELLOCCIO in this 1m6f handicap. Belloccio was progressive on the Flat for David Menuisier in Britain before joining Mullins and struck on his hurdling debut for new connections at Punchestown a month before the royal meeting. He switched back to the Flat to run in his first handicap since October 2022 and proved a class apart, winning by a length and a quarter under William Buick. He was a second straight winner in the race for Mullins, who saddled Vauban to victory the previous year.

Copper Horse Stakes Handicap

18:10 Royal Ascot