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The Verdict: Classic verdicts and an ante-post bet for the Albany
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Sat 9 May 2026
The Verdict presenters Angus McNae and Josh Kerr, armed with the RaceiQ data, unpick all the top action at Newmarket and in Ireland in recent days.
BOW ECHO: RUTHLESS, RELENTLESS
Win time: 1m 35.59s (-0.44s vs Par). Time Index: 6.2 (Meeting average: 5.1). Time Analysis: Par.
0-20mph: 2.55s (7th). Final 2f: 23.72sec. FSP: 100.73% (Par: 98.78%)
The World Pool race of the week was won by a horse who seemingly has the world at his feet.
Bow Echo was assessed as producing the best Guineas performance since Frankel, in 2011, and his official rating has zoomed to 126.
The field went a strong gallop and our experts observed that Bow Echo sat in eleventh place with cover early on. He was able to sustain his pace and kept rolling but others could not, waving the white flag three out, says Angus.
Ruthless, relentless, Josh adds.
Gstaad also emerged with credit but Angus was disappointed with Distant Storm. Maybe he wants a drop to 7f for the Jersey, he concludes.
TRUE LOVE BLOSSOMS
Win time: 1min 35.14sec FSP: 100.67%. 0-20mph: 2.51sec. Final 2f: 23.63sec
Time Index: 7.2 (Meeting Average 7.0 ) Vs.Par: -1.16s
True Love won the 1000 Guineas in a quicker time than Bow Echo won the 2000 Guineas, but don’t be deceived. The ground had dried up further, perhaps firm in places, and she was assisted by a tailwind.
The going may have been a slightly grey area but True Love’s exhibition of speed was not. “She’s a very fast filly and has done them for speed, seeing out the mile well,” says Angus.
Her stablemate, Precise, the favourite, who faded to be seventh, was worthy of a sectional upgrade, he adds, saying the data pointed to her needing the run. Expect much better from her next time.
NIGHT RAIDER STRIKES AT SPEED
Win time: 57.86s. FSP: 101.03%
0-20mph: 2.18sec (2nd). Final 2F: 22.91s. FSP: 101.03% (Par 100.86%).
Night Raidermade all in the Palace House courtesty of a brazen display of speed, says Angus, before he touched on some “remarkable data” produced by the five-year-old. “He blew them away early on before getting tired,” he added.
The Nunthorpe, in which he was third last year, should again be his No 1 aim, says Angus. And the faster the ground the better for a horse with a very long stride.
Miss Attitude? She does not help herself with poor breaks, say our experts.
CAUSEWAY IMPROVING FAST
Win time: 1min 37.4sec (-1.75s vs Par). Time Index: 8.4 (Meeting average: 8). FSP: 103.74%.
Could it be next stop Irish 2000 Guineas for Causeway. Will the Derby come into consideration?
One thing that Angus and Josh can agree on is that Causeway is getting better all the time, and that Ryan Moore excelled in keeping rivals in a pocket.
SABER STRIKE A PROPER HORSE
4.40 Newmarket: Pertemps Network King Charles II Stakes
0-20mph: 2.55sec. Final 2f: 22.60sec. FSP: 108.10% (Par: 100.41%)
Win time: 1min 25.52sec (+1.49s vs Par). Time Index: 3.4 (Meeting average: 4.5). Time Analysis: Slow.
“This is a proper horse, he has run them down as they are quickening,” concludes Angus after he and Josh drool over the way the colt overcame a positional disadvantage in a slow-run race to win with authority at Newmarket on Friday.
But is he a 6f horse or a miler? Or could the Jersey Stakes over 7f be perfect. His low stride cadence points to a mile not being out of reach, Josh reckons.
VICTORIOUS LOOKS ALBANY ACE
5.10 Naas:Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden
Win time: 1min 10.83sec (-1.75s vs Par). Time Index: 8.4 (Meeting average: 8). Time Analysis: Fast.
0-20mph: 2.71s (3rd). Final 2f: 22.64s. FSP: 105.47% (100.23%)
“Victorious got the hang of things through the race and I think there is loads more to come,” says Angus, before Josh salivates over her impeccable pedigree.
“She’s 5-1 for the Albany and I’m putting her up as an ante-post wager,” says Angus. “She is a proper filly and will be 5-2 if she wins again next time. Get on.”
And keep a close eye on Livenka, the well-backed favourite, who was third after a slow start.
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