John Smith’s Cup Tips: Runner-By-Runner Preview & Prediction (2025)

All eyes will be on York for the 2025 running of the John Smith’s Cup and we look at the declared field ahead of Saturday’s big race on The Knavesmire.

On Saturday, who will land the six-figure prize money and unique Wedgwood trophy at the 66th time of asking? Learn more about horse racing with our helpful guide ahead of Saturday’s feature.

In the past finding the answer has produced some of the biggest gambles to hit York Racecourse, and when the fancied runner hits the front, the roar from the crowd is spine tingling.

Thunder Run

Course and distance winner here in May. Will do well to defy top weight but will give it his best shot.

Naqeeb

Creditable third in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and that effort bodes well for today.

Ancient Rome

Formerly trained by Andre Fabre in France and probably has another big race in him somewhere. A lively outsider in our horse racing odds.

Hand Of God

Golden Gates scorer in 2024 and is gradually coming back to his best after a long layoff.

Soldier’s Empire

The gelding was extremely busy over the winter racing in Bahrain, but has yet to fire back in the UK.

Erzindjan

Finished stone last in Ireland after a spell in the Middle East. Easy to look elsewhere.

Auld Toon Loon

Showed some form at Chester in May and wasn’t beaten too far at Ascot. Place potential.

Fox Legacy

Relocated to Andrew Balding after Sir Michael Stoute retired. Won the Suffolk Stakes in May followed up by a good showing in the Royal Hunt Cup. He’s definitely a player.

Faylaq

Goes well over a variety of distances and drops back in trip after a fair effort in the Northumberland Plate. Another who can make the podium.

Brioni

Alan King knows the time of day when it comes to these big handicaps and his four-year-old will have learned a lot from Sandown. Probably won’t feature in any NAP tables though.

See That Storm

Hasn’t really put a hoof wrong this season and should make his presence felt once again at this higher level. Worryingly however, Bethell and Rodriguez are both on the cold list.

Have Secret

Richard Fahey has been the king of the handicaps down the years, and his Have Secret has good form behind Thunder Run this term, which gives him a live chance.

Romieu

Jockey Elizabeth Gale is riding winners galore at the moment and must be fancying her chances on this lightly-weighted ex-Andre Fabre horse. Adrian Keatley providing the ammunition today.

Dark Moon Rising

Surprised to see this one trading at such a big price given his fairly decent record at York. Out of form in 2025 however.

Mirabeau

Won here last October over seven furlongs but hasn’t proved himself over a 1m2f trip as yet. Probably not one for a horse racing accumulator this weekend.

Austrian Theory

The in form six-year-old hasn’t been beaten that far in his last couple of runs and represents a yard with an excellent record at York.

Archivist

The three-year-old is rapidly improving and carries a 5lb penalty following a facile victory at the track in late June. Given the manner of that victory, he’s the obvious pick on paper and will be short in the betting.

Qitaal

Plenty of placed efforts of late but hasn’t registered a victory now since September 2024.

• John Smith’s Cup Prediction: Romieu (14/1, E/W)

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*