The Data Detective: why Lambourn looks vulnerable
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Thu 7 May 2026
Andy Stephens (The Data Detective) has two selections for the final day of the Boodles May Festival plus is taking on the Derby winner.
✅ JOULANY
2.05 Boodles Darley EBF Maiden Stakes
Highest Ever Speed: 40.17mph. Lowest Finishing Speed Percentage: 102.50%.
Maximum length of stride latest start: 8.23 metres.
The long striding Joulany has run solid races in defeat at Kempton, York and Newbury, with this race offering a golden opportunity for him to lose his maiden tag.
The form of his latest third at Newbury looks rock solid and the Time Index was 6.7 when the meeting average was 5.3. He also hit the Top Speed of more than 40mph on his penultimate start.
❌ LAMBOURN
2.35 Deepbridge Huxley Stakes
Highest Ever Speed over 10f+: 39.65mph.
Finishing Speed Percentages over 12f+: never lower than 101%.
Taking on Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore at Chester is like playing with fire, but Lambourn drops in trip for his return and the Derby winner looks a vulnerable favourite, even if cheekpieces add some sharpness,.
None of his RaceiQ numbers indicate he wants a sharp ten furlongs, including when he won at Epsom and when fourth in the St Leger. He did not hit his top speed at Doncaster until the 12th furlong. At the prices, Royal Rhyme makes more appeal.
✅ MAXI KING
3.05 Ladbrokes Chester Cup
Highest Ever Speed: 40.32mph. Recent 0-20mph form: 412434.
Doncaster Finishing Speed Percentage (1m 7f): 105.12%.
Maxi King lacks a recent run, but he looks an each-way player, at ageneral 18-1, in the Chester Cup as he goes well fresh and is unexposed over staying trips.
He ran well at Epsom on Derby Day last year, and when making the frame over almost one mile seven furlongs at Doncaster in September, when his Finishing Speed Percentage of more than 105% hinted he could stay further. The time of that race was also very good.
Maxi King like a bit of dig on the foot and Chester's Clerk of the Course suggested she could add 10mm of water overnight after the issues at the track on Friday.
Enjoy more RaceiQ clues via The Verdict
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