2026 Tattersalls Stakes Tips - Spencer's colt to set Newmarket alight
The 2026 Tattersalls Stakes, a Group Three race for juveniles at Newmarket's Rowley Mile, headlines the opening day of the Cambridgeshire Meeting. This year's field appears less star-studded compared to recent editions, though William Haggas' Mezzo Forte leads the betting. Our analysis favors Great Balls O'Fire, impressive on debut and expected to capitalize on a strong pace. While the race may lack a clear future Classic contender, Great Balls O'Fire's profile suggests he’s primed to best more experienced rivals.
- Tips and odds for the 2026 Tattersalls Stakes
- This Group Three headlines day one of the Cambridgeshire Meeting at Newmarket on Thursday 24th September
- Great Balls O'Fire is our best bet at 11/2
The opening day of action at the Cambridgeshire Meeting is headlined by the Tattersalls Stakes. Registered as the Somerville Stakes, this Group Three was first held on the Rowley Mile in 1977, and juveniles who pass this test often go on to run in the Dewhurst Stakes staged here at Newmarket in October.
We've taken a look through the betting for this year's Tattersalls Stakes and picked out our best betting tips.
2026 Tattersalls Stakes Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mezzo Forte | 3/1 |
| Fuel The Jet | 5/1 |
| Jimtrott | 5/1 |
| Great Balls O'Fire | 11/2 |
| Varzi | 6/1 |
| Sontsivka | 7/1 |
| Bar | 10/1 |
2026 Tattersalls Stakes Runners
Given this race has been won by horses from superpower stables in recent years, there's a fairly low-key feel to Thursday's Tattersalls Stakes. The favourite is William Haggas' Mezzo Forte, who won his maiden at York earlier this month and will be ridden for the first time by Ryan Moore.
Tom Clover will step Doncaster handicap winner Fuel The Jet back into Pattern company. Charlie Bishop and Eve Johnson Houghton team up with Leicester winner Jimtrott, while Saffie Osborne jumps into the saddle aboard Richard Spencer's once-raced colt Great Balls O'Fire.
Karl Burke's Varzi is out quickly after a fifth-place finish in the Flying Scotsman Stakes. Superlative Stakes sixth Notable Dream has been drawn in stall one. Hugo Palmer's Sontsivka steps up in class after a maiden win at Kempton. Brian Meehan's Cilician and Ralph Beckett's gelding Undiscovered will be hoping to make their experience count in Thursday's juvenile feature.
2026 Tattersalls Stakes Tips
Distant Storm and Wichita both won this Group Three before placing in the following year's 2000 Guineas, while 2021 winner Modern Games landed the French Guineas on his return the following season. It's hard to imagine that there's a Classic contender in Thursday's field, but we've still got an interesting race to enjoy nonetheless.
GREAT BALLS O'FIRE looked potentially smart when winning on debut here at Newmarket. George Wood allowed his debuting mount time to find his feet on the July Course, and the early pace wasn't particularly frenetic. Richard Spencer's newcomer took a little while to hit top gear, but once he did, Great Balls O'Fire quickened up nicely to pass the entire field and win by a length and a half.
Spencer's colt was backed into 6/4 before the off that day, and owner Phil Cunningham said after his victory that he was probably the best juvenile in the stable at that time. Words Of Truth won the same maiden before ending his 2025 campaign with victory in the Middle Park Stakes, but this colt is by Too Darn Hot and his dam won her maiden over seven furlongs, so Great Balls O'Fire's future looks to be over this sort of trip.
Mezzo Forte, Jimtrott and Varzi all like to go forward, so Saffie Osborne should get a fairly strong pace to settle behind. Great Balls O'Fire made a lovely impression on debut, and I fancy he could be the one to side with against more exposed rivals.
Live Stream
Visit our Tattersalls Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Thursday's races at Newmarket via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Great Balls O'Fire is our selection in the 2026 Tattersalls Stakes.
Great Balls O'Fire
2026 Tattersalls Stakes Tips
@11/2 - 5 Units
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