The Stage Is Set at the Home of Racing

There are race days, and then there are Ascot race days. Friday 24 July 2026 brings one of the most compelling juvenile contests of the summer to the Royal Berkshire turf — the Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes, a Listed race run over seven furlongs and carrying a prize fund of £65,000. Named in honour of the legendary Pat Eddery, one of the greatest jockeys ever to grace these shores, this race demands something special. And with ten two-year-old colts and one gutsy filly lining up, it just might deliver exactly that.

Seven furlongs on good to firm ground (goingstick reading 8 on the straight) — this is a test of both speed and stamina for horses still learning their trade. The cream rises quickly at this level, and by the time the stalls crash open at 14:55, we'll be watching tomorrow's Classic generation announce themselves to the world. Check out the full Ascot racecard for the complete day's action.

Going and Draw: Key Factors on the Straight Mile

With the goingstick reading a firm 8, this is fast ground — proper summer Ascot fare. The good to firm surface will suit horses with a clean, fluent action and will likely sort out any youngsters who haven't quite got their technique together yet. Don't expect any grinding finishes; this will be a race run at a ferocious pace, with the winner needing to sprint home in style.

On Ascot's straight seven-furlong course, the draw is always worth discussing. Historically, low draws have held a slight edge as horses can get a good position on the stands rail, but in a field of ten, mid-draws are perfectly workable. Firehorse in stall 1 and Gymbaazy in stall 2 will be keen to use that low draw to maximum effect. Meanwhile, Time For The Moon out wide in stall 10 will need his jockey to work hard early to avoid getting isolated. On fast ground with a big field, that wide draw is a genuine concern.

Contender-by-Contender Breakdown

Silver Dominion (Draw 5) — The One to Beat

Trained by Oliver Cole and ridden by Hector Crouch, Silver Dominion heads the ratings on 98 and arrives here with the air of a horse who knows exactly what he's doing. A mid-draw in stall 5 is ideal — he can slot in, travel comfortably, and unleash whatever he's got in the final two furlongs. Cole has been quietly assembling a strong juvenile team this season and this looks like his big moment. On fast ground, expect Silver Dominion to be travelling powerfully. The marginal ratings favourite and our idea of the horse to beat.

Alfred Wallace (Draw 6) — Murphy Magic Could Decide It

Here's where it gets interesting. Alfred Wallace is rated 97 — just a pound below Silver Dominion — and he's a proven seven-furlong winner. That distance form flag is crucial in a race like this. Ed Walker has him primed, and crucially, Oisin Murphy takes the ride. Murphy is the kind of jockey who wins Listed races on talent alone, and drawing right next to Silver Dominion in stall 6 sets up a fascinating duel between the two highest-rated horses in the field. If Alfred Wallace is anywhere near his best, he's a serious, serious threat.

Gymbaazy (Draw 2) — The Unrated Wildcard

No official rating, but a distance winner — that combination always sets the pulse racing in a juvenile race. Trainer Owen Burrows knows exactly how to place a horse, and sending Gymbaazy here suggests real confidence. Daniel Muscutt gets the leg up, and from stall 2, he'll be able to dictate his own destiny on the stands rail. If Gymbaazy is as good as Burrows believes, the lack of a rating could mean the market is dramatically underestimating him. A serious each-way proposition.

Firehorse (Draw 1) — Tom Marquand Loves a Challenge

Another unrated runner, but Tom Marquand in the saddle from stall 1 demands attention. Marquand is an elite operator who rarely takes rides without genuine expectation, and trainer S. P. C. Woods has clearly spotted an opportunity here. The low draw is a gift on this track. Keep an eye on the market — if Firehorse is backed with intent in the morning, he could easily be a factor at a big price.

Time For The Moon (Draw 10) — Distance Form but a Tricky Draw

Charlie Johnston's charge carries the distance winner form flag and is ridden by Billy Loughnane — a combination that commands respect. The problem? Stall 10 on a straight track with fast ground is far from ideal. He'll need to use his early pace to get across and find cover, or risk racing in isolation all the way up the straight. The talent is clearly there, but the draw makes him a frustrating proposition for punters.

Kach Above (Draw 3) — Value in the Ratings?

Officially rated just 81, Kach Above is the lowest-rated runner with an official mark in the field. But he's a seven-furlong winner, he draws nicely in stall 3, and Laura Pearson is an increasingly impressive rider who punches above her weight in competitive fields. Trainer David Loughnane is no stranger to placing horses shrewdly. At a big price, Kach Above could sneak into the frame and reward each-way backers handsomely.

Value Picks and Dangers

The value play of the race is almost certainly Gymbaazy. An unrated horse with a proven seven-furlong win, a top trainer, a top jockey, and a low draw — if the market hasn't cottoned on, there's money to be made. Firehorse is a similar profile and worth a small each-way flutter at the right odds.

The biggest danger to the front two in the ratings is the pace scenario. If Silver Dominion and Alfred Wallace cancel each other out in a head-to-head duel, a fresh, unrated horse with a low draw could sprint past them in the final furlong. Watch the early market moves on Gymbaazy and Firehorse very carefully.

  • Best bet: Alfred Wallace — proven distance form, elite jockey, outstanding draw
  • Each-way value: Gymbaazy — unrated but unexposed, ideal draw, strong connections
  • Speculative punt: Firehorse — Marquand + low draw = danger at a price

Our Selection: Alfred Wallace

This is a race that could go several ways, but when the dust settles, we're siding with Alfred Wallace. The combination of proven seven-furlong form, a rock-solid rating of 97, an ideal draw in stall 6, and the genius of Oisin Murphy in the saddle is simply too compelling to ignore. Ed Walker will have had this race circled on the calendar, and Alfred Wallace arrives as a horse who has already shown he can win at this trip.

Silver Dominion is the only horse rated above him and deserves enormous respect — but Murphy versus Crouch at Ascot in a Listed race? We'll take Murphy every time. Alfred Wallace is our selection for the 14:55 at Ascot.

Who Is the Favourite for the Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes 2026?

Based on official ratings, Silver Dominion heads the field on a mark of 98, making him the marginal market leader ahead of Alfred Wallace (97). However, with Oisin Murphy booked for Alfred Wallace, many punters will be drawn to that pairing, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the two horses share favouritism come race morning. Keep a close eye on the unrated runners — Gymbaazy and Firehorse in particular — as any significant market moves in their direction could shake up the betting picture entirely.

Is Ascot a Good Track for Low-Drawn Horses Over Seven Furlongs?

Yes — historically, the straight seven-furlong course at Ascot has shown a mild bias towards low-drawn horses, particularly on fast ground when the stands rail can offer a slight advantage. In a field of ten, stalls 1 through 5 are generally considered favourable, which bodes well for Firehorse (1), Gymbaazy (2), Kach Above (3), Treasurer (4) and Silver Dominion (5). That said, a quality horse with a high draw — like Time For The Moon in stall 10 — can still win if the jockey rides intelligently and finds a good position early.

What Is the Prize Money for the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot?

The Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes carries a total prize fund of £65,000, making it one of the more valuable juvenile contests of the summer Flat calendar. As a Listed race at Class 1 level, it also offers crucial black-type for connections — meaning even placed horses can significantly enhance their value and reputation. For a two-year-old colt or filly, getting your name in the frame here is a statement of intent ahead of the autumn Classics campaign.