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Warrant Holder hunting John Smith’s Cup glory for King and Queen
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 10 Jul 2026
Warrant Holder just failed to record a famous Royal Ascot success for the King and Queen and while the John Smith’s Cup does not have the same profile, he will be the centre of attention at York in his bid to go one better.
A length and three-quarters was all that separated John and Thady Gosden’s four-year-old from glory in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap over a mile and a half, and now he returns to a course and distance he was successful over on his penultimate start.
“He’s a very interesting horse because he won up there over a mile and a quarter and he’s going back to that this weekend,” said the King and Queen’s racing manager John Warren.
“At Ascot he did well over a mile and a half so he’s quite a versatile horse and John reports he’s in really good order.
“He goes in as favourite, whatever that really means. He’s got a sporting chance.”
Ed Bethell, meanwhile, is also dreaming of going one better as he prepares to saddle the progressive Danger Bay.
The Middleham handler had to settle for second with See That Storm in last year’s running of the prestigious £200,000 handicap, but this time hopes to have a real improver on his side.
Bethell said: “Firstly, the John Smith’s Cup is a seriously difficult handicap to win and I’d rather be running in it off 94 than 102! But he’s progressive, a lovely horse and I’m looking forward to running him.
“It’s a race I’ve always wanted to try to win. I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be a very difficult race to win. I went close in it last year with See That Storm and I’m hoping I’ll go a bit closer this year.
“He looked fantastic this week in a piece of work. And he looked fantastic when I looked at him last night. Physically, I don’t think I can have him in any better shape, hopefully.”
James Owen is preparing his Old Newton Cup hero Sportingsilvermine for a quick return to action
The in-form five-year-old was winning for the second time in his last three when winning on Newmarket’s July course last Saturday.
That win was was the fourth in the career of Sportingsilvermine and now rated a career-high 91, he heads north from Newmarket at the peak of his powers for Owen and owner Gordon McDowall.
“He’s a little cash-machine for the owners,” said Owen.
“He’s the perfect horse really, as he didn’t cost a lot of money but is in a position now where he can just keep going to these big meetings.”
Washington Heights will put his love of York to the test when he defends his John Smith’s City Walls Stakes crown.
Kevin Ryan’s in-form sprinter often saves his best for the Knavesmire and will head back there in rude health having claimed the Listed Achilles Stakes at Carlisle last time.
Cosmo Charlton, racing manager for owners Hambleton Racing, said: “He’s like the perfect sprinter and wears his heart on his sleeve. He tries his hardest all the time and has a touch of quality as well, so he’s just perfect really.
“He’s six and shows no signs of stopping. Sprinters can be at their best at that age and he certainly did a good figure at Carlisle. There’s no reason to think he won’t run well again and hopefully goes there with every chance.”
After a career-best when second in the Coral Charge at Sandown, Luna A Inbhir Nis is poised for a quick return to action as part of a two-pronged Katie Scott assault on the race.
The bargain 1,000 guineas purchase quickly become the pride of Scott’s Galashiels base last season with her sharp rise through the ranks and has continued to thrive this term.
It was the Scottish handler’s first placed runner in a Group race and Scott said: “It was a bit of a roll of the dice to be honest going to Sandown, but we went for it and she did us proud picking up some good prize-money and black type.”
Not only has Luna A Inbhir Nis’ stock continued to rise this term, but so has that of her Highlands handler, who will also send Naana’s Shadow to the Listed event.
“They are both course winners at York and obviously running both in the same race is not something we really want to be doing, but to give them every chance of winning one of these races I think they both have to go.”
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