Steve Ryder's Ante-Post Tip for Friday's Joel Stakes

The Joel Stakes a Group 2 run at Newmarket over a mile and is held on the second day of the Cambridgeshire meeting. There are currently 12 entries for the race which this scheduled to be run on Friday 25 th September at 3:00.

Joel Stakes Winners, Trends & Stats

The Joel Stakes is often a pointer towards either the Breeder’s Cup Mile or Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champion’s Day with 8 of the previous 12 winners running in either race, although none have won.

• 11 of the previous 12 winners had a rating of 111 or higher
• 10 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Group race
• 10 of the previous 12 winners had at least 3 previous flat wins
• 8 of the previous 12 winners were aged 4 or older
• 8 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 run at Newmarket
   

Joel Stakes Runners Guide

TALK OF NEW YORK

Well bred Godolphin colt who finished 3 rd beaten only 1 ½ lengths by Bow Echo and Gstaad in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. He had previously won impressively over 7f at this course but raced too keenly last time when 2 nd beaten ½ length in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

ZEUS OLYMPIOS

Last year’s winner as a three-year-old who was running well in defeat prior to winning the Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot on his penultimate start. His neck 2 nd in the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois was a career best last time despite Clifford Lee dropping his whip in the final furlong.

PERSICA

Consistent five-year-old who recorded his ninth career victory when winning the Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock last time. He beat The Lost King by a nose that day showing a good attitude when ridden by James Doyle for the first time who retains the ride once again.

THE LOST KING

Progressive four-year-old who won two York handicaps before finishing a nose 2 nd behind Persica in the Group 3 Superior Mile at Haydock last time. His revised rating of 110 doesn’t give him a huge amount to find on ratings.

HANKELOW

Talented three-year-old who is yet to win in his four starts this season but has run to a good level including when 3 rd in the French 2000 Guineas on his reappearance. He was 4 th beaten only 1 ½ lengths by both Persica and The Lost King in the Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock and meets that pair on 1lb worse terms.

Joel Stakes Jockeys To Watch

Oisin Murphy has won this race a record four times on board Beat The Bank (2017), Benbatl (2019 & 2021) and Kameko in 2020. He looks set to ride The Lost King this year.

Betting Insights for the Joel Stakes

Three-year-olds have only won two of the previous eight renewals of the Joel Stakes and there has to be slight question marks about the temperament of the short priced favourite Talk Of New York.

Last year’s winner ZEUS OLYMPIOS (best priced at 3/1) was unbeaten in his four starts last season as a three-year-old and ran well in defeat on his first three starts this season including when 3 rd in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Zeus Olympios got back to winning ways in the Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot in July before running a career best when a neck 2 nd in the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville last time.

This was despite Clifford Lee dropping his whip entering the final furlong of the race. He proved last season that he handles this course and distance well, the ground won’t be an inconvenience to him and he should be able to successfully concede weight to this field.

Recommended Bet: Zeus Olympios - 1pt

Best odds of 3/1 at William Hill at the time of publishing.