2:55 Ascot – International Stakes Heritage Handicap 2026
The International Stakes is a typically competitive seven-furlong heritage handicap, with a mixture of proven course performers, established handicappers and younger runners who may still have further improvement to come.
Back In Black brings one of the strongest overall profiles, combining a perfect 15/15 trends score with the best current Topspeed figure in the field. Amazing Journey is the clear ratings improver, while Mezcala, Great Acclaim and Aalto all have strong claims on different parts of the analysis.
Key International Stakes Trends
- Handicap Experience: All of the last 20 winners had contested between five and 32 handicaps.
- Course Experience: All 20 winners had made between one and 11 previous appearances at Ascot.
- Class Experience: All 20 winners had contested between two and 23 races at this level.
- Previous Winning Field: All 20 had recorded their previous victory in a field containing between five and 18 runners.
- Highest Winning Level: None had recorded their highest success in a Group 3, Class 3 or Class 4 contest.
- Career Experience: All 20 had made between six and 43 career appearances.
- Class RPR: All 20 had achieved a Racing Post Rating of at least 92 at the level.
- Recent Run: All 20 returned after a break of between seven and 38 days.
- Recent Race Type: None of the last 20 winners had contested a Group 1–3, Listed, Class 4 or Class 5 race last time.
- Class Topspeed: All 20 had achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 69 in the class.
- Handicap RPR: Nineteen of the last 20 had recorded a handicap RPR of 98 or higher.
- Official Rating: Nineteen of the last 20 had been rated at least 89 before their latest start.
- Latest Price: Nineteen of the last 20 had started at no bigger than 25/1 last time.
Back In Black is the only remaining runner with a perfect 15/15 trends match. Great Acclaim, Completely Random and Mezcala are close behind on 14/15, while Aalto, Leadman and Two Tribes score 13/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends | Rating | RPR / TS | Profile | Speed | Trainer/Jockey | Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back In Black | 15/15 | 428 | 113 / 104 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Perfect trends match, field-leading current Topspeed figure, two wins from seven starts over seven furlongs and arrives after another solid placed performance. | Yet to win at Ascot and Daniel Muscutt has been quiet recently. | Main Selection |
| Amazing Journey | 11/15 | 419 | 117 / 105 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Best RPR in the field, second-best Topspeed figure, three wins from five starts on the going and already a course winner. Carries a low weight as a progressive three-year-old. | Has not yet won in three attempts over seven furlongs and falls short of the strongest trends profiles. | Main Danger |
| Mezcala | 14/15 | 407 | 112 / 97 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Course-and-distance winner, won his only previous start over seven furlongs and arrives after winning two of his last three races. | Steps into a much more competitive handicap and his peak figures are below the two leading ratings contenders. | Strong Each-Way Chance |
| Great Acclaim | 14/15 | 398 | 110 / 101 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Excellent trends score, strong current Topspeed figure and three wins from 15 starts on the going. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton is operating at a solid strike rate. | Has yet to win in six visits to Ascot and was below his best on his latest start. | Major Contender |
| Aalto | 13/15 | 391 | 114 / 100 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Strong RPR and Topspeed combination, arrives after returning to form and benefits from the booking of an exceptionally in-form William Buick. | Only two wins from 14 starts over the distance and is zero from four at Ascot. | Ratings Threat |
| Completely Random | 14/15 | 383 | 111 / 94 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Excellent trends profile, has previously achieved an RPR of 118 and represents an in-form Harry Charlton yard with Ryan Moore booked. | Winless from seven starts on the going, zero from two over the distance and yet to win in three appearances at Ascot. | Capable but Risky |
| Golden Mind | 12/15 | 376 | 111 / 103 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | One of the strongest Topspeed figures in the field, well treated on previous form and has sufficient recent form to be competitive. | Only one win from 16 attempts over seven furlongs, zero from eight at Ascot and Ryan Sexton is without a recent winner. | Speed Chance |
| Leadman | 13/15 | 369 | 110 / 103 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | Strong trends score, shares one of the best Topspeed figures and carries a low weight. | Only three wins from 21 starts at the trip, was beaten last time and jockey Jack Doughty is currently without a recent winner. | Well-Weighted Outsider |
| Philanthropist | 10/15 | 361 | 111 / 98 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Three-time winner over the distance, carries a low weight and has a competitive combination of RPR and Topspeed figures. | Below the leading trends contenders and has yet to win at Ascot. | Place Possibility |
| Two Tribes | 13/15 | 354 | 110 / 84 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Won this race last year, has proven course-and-distance form and retains a strong trends profile. | Recent form is poor, zero from ten on the going and is racing from a much higher position in the handicap than when successful last year. | Course Specialist |
| Saytarr | 9/15 | 347 | 113 / 90 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Two wins from four starts over seven furlongs, comes here after winning and Mickael Barzalona is riding particularly well. | The trends score is below the principal contenders and he faces a considerable rise in grade. | Progressive Outsider |
| Stellar Sunrise | 10/15 | 338 | 110 / 93 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Two wins from five starts at the distance, retains scope as a three-year-old and Oisin Murphy is in excellent form. | Returns from 50 days off, slightly outside the strongest historical break range, and was well beaten last time. | Improvement Needed |
| Arctic Dawn | 10/15 | 329 | 108 / 90 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Three-time winner over the trip, solid record on the going and Colin Keane takes the ride. | Needs to leave his latest run behind and has yet to win at Ascot. | Needs a Revival |
| Ata Rangi | 8/15 | 321 | 111 / 97 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Two wins from four over seven furlongs, competitive speed figure and represents an Ed Walker stable in excellent recent form. | Returns after 44 days, lacks Ascot experience and scores only 8/15 on the principal trends. | Interesting Outsider |
| Sword | 11/15 | 313 | 110 / 82 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Carries a low weight, has a respectable trends profile and has previously produced figures capable of competing. | Only one win from ten starts at the distance and was well beaten on his latest appearance. | Others Preferred |
| Extremely Zain | 5/15 | 306 | 113 / 80 | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Unbeaten in two starts over seven furlongs, lightly raced and has the potential to progress beyond his current figures. | Very weak trends score, limited experience and his current Topspeed figure is below the leading contenders. | Unexposed Wildcard |
Key: ★★★★★ excellent, ★★★★☆ strong, ★★★☆☆ fair, ★★☆☆☆ below ideal, ★☆☆☆☆ concern.
Final Turf Talk Filter
Back In Black comes out narrowly on top after combining the strongest trends profile with a field-leading current Topspeed figure of 104. He remains relatively lightly raced for a major handicap of this nature and his recent placed form suggests he arrives in competitive condition.
Amazing Journey is the most dangerous ratings rival. His RPR of 117 and Topspeed figure of 105 are the best combined figures in the race, while three wins from five starts on the going and a previous Ascot success strengthen his case. His main question is whether he is equally effective over seven furlongs.
Mezcala has an ideal progressive handicap profile. He is a course-and-distance winner, scores 14/15 on the trends and arrives after winning two of his last three starts. This is a significant rise in competition, but he retains scope for further improvement.
Great Acclaim has an excellent trends and speed profile, while Aalto is another credible contender after showing renewed form and securing the services of William Buick.
International Stakes 2026 Tips
1. Back In Black 8/1
Back In Black is the Turf Talk selection.
He is the only remaining runner with a perfect 15/15 trends score and brings the strongest current Topspeed figure of 104.
His two-from-seven distance record and consistent recent performances suggest he has the right blend of speed, form and profile for this competitive handicap.
2. Amazing Journey 9/2
Amazing Journey is the main danger.
He owns the strongest combined performance figures in the field, with an RPR of 117 and Topspeed figure of 105.
He is already an Ascot winner, has won three of his five starts on the going and receives a valuable weight allowance as a three-year-old.
3. Mezcala 5/1
Mezcala completes the top three.
He scores an excellent 14/15 on the trends and is unbeaten over this course and distance.
Two victories from his last three starts mark him down as a progressive handicapper who may still be ahead of his current rating.
Turf Talk Verdict
Back In Black receives the narrow vote after combining a perfect trends score with the strongest current Topspeed figure. Amazing Journey is the major danger on raw ratings and may have the greatest remaining potential, while course-and-distance winner Mezcala is the strongest progressive each-way contender. Great Acclaim and Aalto also merit respect in a highly competitive renewal.
Final Selection
Back In Black
1st: Back In Black 8/1
2nd: Amazing Journey 9/2
3rd: Mezcala 5/1
Outsider to watch: Aalto
