It all Aad's up to a Haggas win

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Infraad is the favorite in the Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap, having shown strong recent performances and stamina that suit the increased race distance. The race features competitive contenders like Baltic Fleet, who has demonstrated solid form since moving to a new stable, setting up a key test for Infraad’s prospects.

Infraad is favored to win the Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap on the second day of racing, facing a competitive field of nine promising young stayers. Among the rivals are Cannes, who struggled to make an impact after a slow pace in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, and Bay Royale, noted for a decisive victory over Infraad and Hatteem in a Nottingham novice event.

Infraad entered the King George V Stakes as the 11-10 favorite, wearing a hood but failing to respond effectively to the stop-start pace, ultimately unable to match the winner’s acceleration. However, a subsequent race at Pontefract demonstrated his potential, where under jockey Tom Marquand he set his own pace and won by six and a half lengths. This performance earned him a handicap rating of 90.

In another recent outing at Chester, Infraad, ridden by Harry Davies and equipped with earplugs, was boxed in along the rail before a late effort was blocked by a closing gap, leaving him with unused speed despite being heavily backed. The increased distance for today’s race appears well suited to his style of running given these demonstrations of stamina and pace.

The leading threat to Infraad is Baltic Fleet, recently transferred to the stable of Ian Williams for £170,000. Baltic Fleet has indicated his handicap potential with solid runs, including a competitive effort behind Arc Ole Ole at York in May and a strong second place on Wolverhampton’s all-weather track. Jockey William Buick, who has secured 25 wins for Williams’ stable, retains the mount.

In the British Stallion Studs EBF Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at 2:25 p.m., Fast Track, a daughter of Blue Point, is seen as a strong contender thanks to her course experience. Although she must compensate for a slow start in the Queen Mary Stakes where she finished behind Wild Blossom and Miss Lizzy, she previously demonstrated front-running form with a commanding win at Beverley, maintaining a brisk pace throughout. Her yard aims to reclaim the title won last year by Flora Of Bermuda and boasts a strong recent track record with multiple winners here.

The Group Three Rolls-Royce Oak Tree Stakes features Flora Of Bermuda carrying joint top weight of 9st 9lb, including a 3lb penalty following a recent York victory. The step up to seven furlongs aligns with plans from her connections, who have also entered her in the Hungerford and City Of York Stakes. Notwithstanding her credentials, the race’s history suggests opportunities for outsiders, with several winners in recent years starting at odds of 12-1 or higher. Queen’s Reign, ridden by Kieran Shoemark, is considered an each-way contender. The filly, trained by Ed Walker, has placed in multiple listed races this season and secured a course win earlier this year. She was narrowly beaten at Deauville in December when ridden prominently.

El Floridita, noted for a strong second-place effort to the highly regarded juvenile Orthodox in the Norfolk Stakes, provides further intrigue heading into the Group Three Veuve Clicquot Molecomb Stakes.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.