Bunbury Cup 2026
The Bunbury Cup is one of the most competitive seven-furlong handicaps of the season, demanding the right combination of speed, class, race fitness and the ability to handle Newmarket’s straight course.
This year’s principal runners are Royal Zabeel, Two Tribes, Elarak, Great Acclaim, Colombier, Dark Tornado, The Fingal Raven, Back In Black, Supido, Nostrum, Aalto, Physique and Dapper Guest.
From a trends perspective, Colombier and Two Tribes are the standouts after achieving perfect 15/15 matches. Back In Black, Dark Tornado, Elarak, Aalto and Royal Zabeel all score an excellent 14/15.
Key Bunbury Cup Trends
- Market Position: 20/20 winners were within the first 11 in the betting.
- Seasonal Topspeed: 20/20 winners achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 78 during the season.
- Starting Price: 20/20 winners were no bigger than 25/1.
- Seasonal RPR: 20/20 winners achieved an RPR of at least 96 during the season.
- Highest Placing: 20/20 winners’ highest placing was not in Group 1-2 or Class 3-4 company.
- Handicap Experience: 20/20 winners had contested between four and 37 handicaps.
- Recent Break: 20/20 winners returned from an absence of between eight and 42 days.
- Class Placings: 20/20 winners had recorded between one and nine placings at the class level.
- Last-Time-Out Price: 20/20 winners started no bigger than 33/1 last time out.
- Recent Placings: 20/20 winners had fewer than six placings during the previous year.
- Recent Runs: 20/20 winners had contested between three and 13 races during the previous year.
- Handicap Wins: 20/20 winners had recorded between one and eight handicap victories.
- Handicap Topspeed: 18/20 winners achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 92 in handicaps.
- Debut Price: 18/20 winners started no bigger than 14/1 on debut.
- Career RPR: 18/20 winners achieved a career RPR of at least 103.
The strongest trends horses are Colombier and Two Tribes on perfect 15/15 scores. Back In Black, Dark Tornado, Elarak, Aalto and Royal Zabeel are close behind on 14/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends | Rating | RPR/TS | Profile | Speed | Trainer/Jockey | Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombier | 15/15 | 416 | 113 / 104 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Perfect trends profile, joint-second-best Topspeed figure, proven seven-furlong record and James Doyle is an excellent booking. | Returns after a disappointing latest run and has no previous Newmarket form. | Main Selection |
| Back In Black | 14/15 | 408 | 112 / 105 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Excellent trends score, strongest recent Topspeed figure among the leading contenders and arrives in consistent form from a strong yard. | Unproven at Newmarket and has not yet won at this exact class level. | Main Danger |
| Aalto | 14/15 | 401 | 109 / 112 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Highest Topspeed figure in the field, previous Bunbury Cup winner, course-and-distance scorer and William Buick is booked. | Recent form is mixed and he has won only once from 13 attempts over seven furlongs. | Each-Way Chance |
| Elarak | 14/15 | 395 | 114 / 101 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Highest RPR in the race, strong trends match, course winner and represents an in-form Charles Hills yard. | Carries a significant weight and has won only once from five starts over seven furlongs. | Class Threat |
| Great Acclaim | 13/15 | 389 | 113 / 104 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Strong RPR and Topspeed combination, consistent seven-furlong profile and the trainer is in good recent form. | Yet to win at Newmarket and has a modest strike rate at the distance. | Place Claims |
| Two Tribes | 15/15 | 383 | 110 / 102 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Perfect trends profile, strong overall figures and Oisin Murphy is a major positive. | Winless in nine starts on the going, only one win from six at the trip and has been below his best recently. | Trends Threat |
| Royal Zabeel | 14/15 | 378 | 112 / 97 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Course-and-distance winner, excellent Newmarket record and carries one of the strongest official ratings. | Must shoulder a huge weight and is partnered by an inexperienced apprentice in a demanding handicap. | Weight Concern |
| Dark Tornado | 14/15 | 372 | 108 / 101 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Course-and-distance winner, strong going record and arrives after a recent victory. | Steps into a much stronger race and his peak RPR is below several leading rivals. | Improver |
| Supido | 13/15 | 366 | 110 / 99 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Ryan Moore booking, respectable trends score and capable RPR and Topspeed figures. | Limited seven-furlong strike rate and needs to improve on his latest effort. | Possible Rebound |
| Nostrum | 11/15 | 361 | 109 / 100 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Course winner with proven class and useful seven-furlong form. | Has become inconsistent and his trends score is weaker than the leading contenders. | Needs Revival |
| The Fingal Raven | 10/15 | 354 | 105 / 97 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Reasonable recent figures and effective over seven furlongs. | Winless on the going and weak trends profile compared with the principals. | Needs More |
| Physique | 10/15 | 348 | 113 / 97 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Course-and-distance winner, well weighted and owns a competitive RPR. | Trainer and jockey form are concerns and he sits outside the ideal trends profile. | Outsider Claims |
| Dapper Guest | 7/15 | 329 | 108 / 91 | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | Course-and-distance winner and receives substantial weight from the leading runners. | Weakest trends profile among the declared field and poor recent trainer and jockey statistics. | Oppose |
Key: ★★★★★ excellent, ★★★★☆ strong, ★★★☆☆ fair, ★★☆☆☆ below ideal, ★☆☆☆☆ concern.
Final Turf Talk Filter
The Bunbury Cup filter points towards Colombier. He is one of only two runners to achieve a perfect 15/15 trends score and also owns one of the strongest combined RPR and Topspeed profiles in the field at 113 and 104.
His record over seven furlongs is particularly encouraging, with three wins from six attempts, and James Doyle is a significant booking. Although his latest run was disappointing, his overall trends, ratings and distance profile make him the most balanced contender.
Back In Black is the strongest danger. He scores 14/15 on the trends, arrives with an RPR of 112 and owns the best recent Topspeed figure among the leading contenders at 105. He remains open to further improvement.
Aalto has the strongest each-way case. He won this race in 2024, is a course-and-distance scorer and owns the highest Topspeed figure in the field at 112. The William Buick booking adds further confidence.
Elarak has the highest RPR in the field at 114 and scores an excellent 14/15 on the trends, although his weight and modest strike rate over seven furlongs slightly weaken his overall case.
Bunbury Cup 2026 Tips
1. Colombier 33/1
Colombier is the Turf Talk selection after achieving a perfect 15/15 trends score.
He combines a strong RPR and Topspeed profile with three wins from six attempts over seven furlongs, while the James Doyle booking is another major positive.
2. Back In Black 7/1
Back In Black is the main danger.
He scores an excellent 14/15 on the trends, owns a strong RPR of 112 and arrives with the best recent Topspeed figure among the leading contenders.
3. Aalto 4/1
Aalto completes the top three.
He won this race in 2024, is proven over the course and distance and owns the highest Topspeed figure in the field. William Buick is also an eye-catching booking.
Turf Talk Verdict
Colombier gets the vote in the Bunbury Cup. He combines a perfect trends profile with strong ratings and an excellent record over seven furlongs. Back In Black is the clear danger on recent speed and progressive form, while former winner Aalto is the strongest each-way option.
Final Selection
Colombier
1st: Colombier 33/1
2nd: Back In Black 7/1
3rd: Aalto 4/1
Ousider to watch: Two Tribes 20/1
