Newmarket Handicap Stakes 2026
The Newmarket Handicap Stakes is a competitive one-mile handicap for three-year-olds, where progressive profiles, proven speed and the ability to cope with Newmarket’s straight mile are all significant factors.
This year’s runners are Tales Of Wisdom, Moonfall, Iron Lily, Wechaad, Sunset On Leros, St Anton, Wild Thoughts, Alfaraz and Eklleem.
From a trends perspective, Tales Of Wisdom is the standout after achieving a perfect 15/15 match. Wild Thoughts scores an excellent 14/15, while Alfaraz and St Anton both record 13/15. Moonfall, Wechaad and Sunset On Leros each score 12/15.
Key Newmarket Handicap Stakes Trends
- Last-Time-Out Going: 20/20 winners did not run on heavy, soft, good, firm, standard-slow, standard or fibresand last time out.
- Market Position: 20/20 winners were within the first eight in the betting.
- Highest Win: 20/20 winners’ highest victory was not in Listed, Class 3 or Class 6 company.
- Recent Topspeed: 20/20 winners achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 70 in their previous three starts.
- Recent RPR: 20/20 winners achieved an RPR of at least 88 in their previous five starts.
- Distance RPR: 20/20 winners achieved an RPR of at least 80 over the trip.
- Distance Topspeed: 20/20 winners achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 50 over the trip.
- Last-Win Field Size: 20/20 winners last won in a field of between seven and 20 runners.
- Last-Win Class: 20/20 winners did not record their latest victory in Listed, Class 3 or Class 6 company.
- Highest Run: 20/20 winners’ highest race was not in Group 2 or Class 4 company.
- Debut Field Size: 20/20 winners debuted in a field of between eight and 17 runners.
- Career Topspeed: 20/20 winners achieved a career Topspeed figure of at least 71.
- Starting Price: 19/20 winners were no bigger than 12/1.
- Recent Form: 19/20 winners had placed within their previous three starts.
- Debut Performance: 18/20 winners were beaten by no more than eight lengths on debut.
The strongest trends horse is Tales Of Wisdom on a perfect 15/15. Wild Thoughts is next best on 14/15, with Alfaraz and St Anton both scoring 13/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends | Rating | RPR/TS | Profile | Speed | Trainer/Jockey | Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tales Of Wisdom | 15/15 | 414 | 108 / 95 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Perfect trends profile, top weight, strong RPR, proven mile form and the powerful Charlie Appleby and William Buick combination. | Must concede weight to the entire field and has something to prove after a below-par latest run. | Main Selection |
| Alfaraz | 13/15 | 407 | 109 / 107 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Highest Topspeed figure in the race, course-and-distance winner, strong handicap profile and partnered by Oisin Murphy. | Makes his handicap debut and needs to prove he can reproduce his best figure under race pressure. | Main Danger |
| Wild Thoughts | 14/15 | 399 | 107 / 95 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Second-best trends score, three wins from four starts over a mile and an excellent overall profile for Richard Spencer. | First-time cheekpieces introduce a small question and he has yet to race at Newmarket. | Each-Way Chance |
| St Anton | 13/15 | 393 | 109 / 95 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Strong trends profile, proven over a mile and brings one of the joint-best RPR figures into the race. | Yet to win at the course and must bounce back from a disappointing latest effort. | Place Claims |
| Moonfall | 12/15 | 387 | 106 / 99 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Solid trends score, proven over the distance and arrives with a strong recent speed figure. | Has been beaten at Newmarket before and does not possess the same peak RPR as the leading pair. | Ratings Threat |
| Wechaad | 12/15 | 381 | 105 / 99 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Strong trainer form, Ryan Moore booked and a balanced RPR and Topspeed profile. | Still seeking a first win on the going and over the distance. | Possible Rebound |
| Eklleem | 10/15 | 375 | 103 / 93 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Lightly raced, already a winner over a mile and receives weight from most of the field. | Handicap debut and lower overall trends and ratings figures than the principals. | Improver |
| Sunset On Leros | 12/15 | 369 | 105 / 92 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Respectable trends score and has shown enough ability to be competitive at this level. | Winless over the going, distance and course and arrives after a poor latest run. | Needs More |
| Iron Lily | 10/15 | 356 | 104 / 78 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Lightly raced, represents an in-form yard and James Doyle is a positive booking. | Lowest Topspeed figure among the main contenders and lacks proven mile form. | Oppose |
Key: ★★★★★ excellent, ★★★★☆ strong, ★★★☆☆ fair, ★★☆☆☆ below ideal, ★☆☆☆☆ concern.
Final Turf Talk Filter
The Newmarket Handicap Stakes filter points towards Tales Of Wisdom. He is the only runner to achieve a perfect 15/15 trends score and also owns one of the strongest overall Racing Post Rating profiles in the field.
The combination of Charlie Appleby and William Buick is particularly significant at Newmarket, while his proven mile form and top-weight status suggest that he is the class horse in the race. He must concede weight all round, but the overall evidence remains compelling.
Alfaraz is the strongest danger on the numbers. His Topspeed figure of 107 is the best in the field, he is already a course-and-distance winner and his 13/15 trends score is very solid. His handicap debut leaves room for further improvement.
Wild Thoughts has the best each-way profile. He scores 14/15 on the trends and has won three of his four starts over a mile. His progressive record and first-time cheekpieces make him an interesting contender.
St Anton also deserves respect with a 13/15 trends score and an RPR of 109, while Moonfall and Wechaad remain capable of reaching the places if reproducing their best figures.
Newmarket Handicap Stakes 2026 Tips
1. Tales Of Wisdom 12/1
Tales Of Wisdom is the Turf Talk selection after achieving a perfect 15/15 trends score.
He combines a strong RPR profile with proven mile form and represents the outstanding Newmarket partnership of Charlie Appleby and William Buick.
2. Alfaraz 7/1
Alfaraz is the main danger.
He is a course-and-distance winner, owns the highest Topspeed figure in the race and scores a strong 13/15 on the trends. He remains open to improvement on his handicap debut.
3. Wild Thoughts 11/1
Wild Thoughts completes the top three.
He scores an excellent 14/15 on the trends, has won three of his four starts over a mile and looks capable of progressing again in first-time cheekpieces.
Turf Talk Verdict
Tales Of Wisdom gets the vote in the Newmarket Handicap Stakes. He combines the only perfect trends profile with strong ratings and the most powerful course-specific trainer and jockey combination. Alfaraz is the clear danger on speed and course form, while Wild Thoughts is the strongest each-way option.
Final Selection
Tales Of Wisdom
1st: Tales Of Wisdom 12/1
2nd: Alfaraz 7/1
3rd: Wild Thoughts 11/1
