Ten Pounds Out to Strike in the Wokingham Stakes
The Wokingham Stakes is a highly competitive, Class 2 Heritage Handicap flat horse race in Great Britain held annually in June on the fifth and final day of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting.
Open to horses aged three years or older, the race is an absolute “cavalry charge” contested over a sprint distance of six furlongs on turf.
First established in 1813, it holds the distinction of being the oldest handicap race at Royal Ascot.
Race Specifications & Structure
- Distance: 6 furlongs (Straight turf track)
- Eligibility: Horses aged 3 years old and upwards
- Rating/Weights: Handicap format typically capped at official ratings of 0–110
- Field Size: Notoriously large field with a maximum safety limit of 30 runners
- Prize Fund: Total prize money stands at over £175,000, with the winner securing roughly £90,195
Let’s get into today’s preview and tips.
Ten Pounds Out to Strike in the Wokingham Stakes
A field of twenty eight runners line up for the Wokingham Stakes Heritage Handicap!
The Wokingham Stakes is one of the best sprint handicaps of the season. The bookies have priced up the four-year-olds Double Rush and Binhareer as favourites. They have an obvious chance however we want a bit of value in a 28-runner handicap!
Ten Pounds looks to be the best handicapped horse in the race. He ran a cracker in this race last year when third beaten only half a length. Conditions are similar this year with good to firm ground. Six furlongs on fast ground suit best as he faded near the line when fourth in the Bunbury Cup at the Newmarket July meeting last year.
Valmont bought him at the autumn in training sales for 320,000 guineas. Joey Ramsden looks to have laid this horse out all year for this race. The handicapper dropped him down from a rating of 104 to 99 following four runs. Once they knew Ten Pounds’ handicap mark the put-on pieces are ran him over five furlongs to see what they had. Ten Pounds showed plenty coming home strong form last to take second place (avoided a win penalty). He has a big chance with Jamie Spencer booked.
Soldier’s Tree is a very interesting runner for James Owen. This five-year-old only had his first course run in December 2025 at Dundalk. Matt Tynan dropped him down from a mile to seven furlongs and he won by six lengths at Dundalk in January. Highly regarded they ran him in a listed stakes race on turf at Cork. He did well to finish second on soft ground to Navassa Island who was in receipt of five pounds. Roxholme racing stepped in to buy Soldier’s Tree and sent him to be trained by James Owen.
Soldier’s Tree’s latest run came at Salisbury when beaten less than a length by Almeraq and Spy Chief in a listed stakes race. Soldier’s Tree met trouble in running which cost him victory. The handicapper was impressed as he raised Soldier’s Tree six pounds to a mark of 107!
James Owens says he has improved following his first run and really, he is like an unexposed four-year-old having his fifth run. This horse is a group sprinter in a handicap which is what is required to win this race. Silvester De Sousa who rode him at Salisbury retains the ride which is good news. Run Boy Run is drawn close by, drawn 16 and should provide good pace up the middle of the course.
Ascot 5:00
0.5 point each way Ten Pounds 10/1 generally, use bookies paying 6 places & BOG.
0.5 point each way Soldier’s Tree 18/1 generally, use bookies paying 6 places & BOG.
Best of Luck, Nicky
Latest winner: Urban Lion @ 12/1
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