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International Handicap: read what connections say
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 24 Jul 2026
Connections of Extremely Zain are hoping their unbeaten colt will justify warm favouritism in the Moet & Chandon International Handicap on his way to Pattern races in the second half of the season.
The William Haggas-trained three-year-old tops the market in a fiercely competitive seven-furlong charge with Tom Marquand on board in the navy blue and yellow silks of Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum.
And racing manager to the owner, Philip Robinson, said everyone associated with the colt hope he proves he is worth a crack at bigger targets by landing this valuable prize en route.
“Obviously there are 17 runners and we are drawn right in the middle. Anything can happen as it is a very competitive race, but I’m hoping that he comes out of it with flying colours,” said Robinson.
“It is a competitive race and you can’t take anything for granted. I’m hoping he is better than a handicapper and I believe in my heart he is, but we will see.”
Extremely Zain faces stiff competition for the £77,000 first prize with last year’s winner, the Richard Spencer-trained Two Tribes returning to defend his crown albeit off a 12lb higher mark.
Two Tribes duly followed up in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood a week later and owner Phil Cunningham confirmed that was the plan again.
“In the Wokingham, he pretty much won his side and it was really interesting to see, from the headcam, how close he really was. So I think if drawn correctly, he’d have a very good chance.
“He was a lovely winner of the race last year and then followed up a week later in the Stewards’ Cup.
“That will be the plan now, all being well that he comes out of it well. He takes his racing well and it’s only from this time of year that he clicks into gear, so it’s very exciting.”
Bunbury Cup winner Aalto (right) is another in with a chance of landing the Moet & Chandon International Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Jack Channon’s Mezcala brings solid form to the table with a win over course and distance in the Buckingham Palace Stakes last time out and the trainer believes a 4lb rise for a neck victory may not be enough to contain him.
“He put in a fantastic performance the last day at Ascot and we hope he is not done there,” said Channon. “He has come out of Royal Ascot in good form and we go into the weekend thinking we’ve got an outstanding chance in another big race.
“He is up 4lb which I think was a very fair assessment from the handicapper. It was probably all he could give him to be honest but I still think that is a mark off which he can be very, very competitive.
“There will be a couple of unexposed ones in there for sure but I think he sets the marker. He has won over course and distance in a big field and others have it to prove. He goes there with a big chance.”
Fellow Lambourn trainer Jamie Osborne is even more sure he has pounds in hand with his bottom-weight Amazing Journey, set to be ridden by his in-form daughter Saffie.
“He is a 95-rated horse running off 90 and I don’t think the market really cottoned on to that initially,” said Osborne.
“Some could say his best form is at six furlongs or that there was an element of fluke about that last win.
“But I was impressed with him the last day. Six or seven will come alike to him and when you have a horse at 8st 4lb it is a big benefit having Saffie.
“This horse was 20-1. I know plenty backed him at that price when it was obvious he was going to get in. While you can never come to a race like this with confidence, we know we are 5lb well in, have no doubt about the seventh furlong, and I am very happy with how the horse is.
“All in all he goes there very live in my opinion.”
There are dangers throughout the field as Bunbury Cup one-two, Ian Williams’ Aalto and James Fanshawe’s Back In Black, reoppose with the latter 1lb better off for a half-length beating.
Ryan Moore has stayed loyal to Harry Charlton’s Completely Random after the pair finished a head second to Double Rush in the Wokingham over a furlong shorter at the Royal meeting but will have to compete from a 4lb higher mark.
Akkadian Thunder, Stellar Sunrise and James Horton’s Saytarr, who will be ridden by Calandagan’s jockey Mickael Barzalona, will all have their supporters in a race where none can be confidently ruled out.
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