Sky Sports Racing’s senior form analyst has picked ten horses to add to your ATR Tracker for the 2026 Flat season. Each selection represents a different category to give a balanced, thought-provoking list of prospects to watch.
Classic boy: Benevenuto Cellini
Aidan O’Brien’s colt impressed for a staying mile to 1½m when tested at Doncaster, posting the fastest third-last furlong split (12.18 sec). He ran well in the Champions Juvenile Stakes, prompting talk of a Prix du Jockey Club route, but Epsom remains an obvious Derby option given the family connection to Classic form through his sister Giselle.
Classic girl: Mubasimah
Currently 50-1 for the 1,000 Guineas, Mubasimah did plenty in short time as a two-year-old and looks well suited to Newmarket. After an 11-1 debut win she went back to Newmarket for the Oh So Sharp and was beaten only a neck by Calendar Girl. By Frankel out of a mare who improved with age, she could shorten markedly for the Guineas and is expected to head to the Nell Gwyn on April 15.
Three-year-old sprint handicapper: Return Of The Gods
By a son of Showcasing out of Dutch Monument and closely related to the in-form Cool Hoof Luke, this colt began life on a mark of 77 after showing a lot late last season. He was keen and immature in two juvenile runs at Wolverhampton but still won, hinting at raw ability that should be converted as he matures. Trainer Ed Bethell’s handicap record suggests he could climb the weights quickly.
Three-year-old mile handicapper: Go Rimbaud
Promising across three juvenile starts and beaten only by high-class Godolphin types such as Talk Of New York, Go Rimbaud carries a pedigree to improve. By Palace Pier and out of a half-sister to Friendly Soul (Prix de l’Opéra winner), he starts the season on 82 and could be aimed at contests like Sandown’s Esher Cup as a three-year-old.
Three-year-old middle-distance handicapper: Joulany
A Sea The Stars colt and full brother to Al Aasy, Joulany sold for up to 800,000 guineas and looked above average in two juvenile runs. He was odds-on both times but was undone more by race shape than ability. With added maturity and longer trips to exploit, he should become a leading contender in three-year-old middle-distance handicaps.
Group graduate: Realign
The sprint division often sees upwardly mobile types move from handicaps into Group company, and Realign fits that profile. He started favourite for the Palace of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot without delivering, but after gelding he landed a strong 0-90 contest at Haydock and looks as if he has been building toward a breakthrough in 2026.
Could be anything colt: Raaheeb
From one of the strongest families in training and a full-brother to top performers, Raaheeb made a workmanlike winning debut at Ascot without ever needing to show full throttle. His natural laid-back demeanour adds to the intrigue given his pedigree, and at 25-1 for the Derby he has the profile of a colt who could develop into a Classic performer.
Could be anything filly: My Ophelia
A high-priced yearling at 1.7 million guineas and trained by William Haggas, My Ophelia made a powerful first impression on heavy ground at Newbury, winning comfortably without needing a hard ride. She looks raw and scopey and at 16-1 for the Oaks has the attributes to progress well beyond her debut.
Stable switcher: Military Air
A Frankel colt once with Juddmonte and now in David O’Meara’s care, Military Air may need time to settle after his move from France. He was placed at Listed level at ParisLongchamp last spring but tailed off later in the year. Rated 95 on best form, he looks well treated and could respond to O’Meara’s good record with French imports.
Wildcard: Montezuma
A four-year-old maiden makes an unconventional follow pick, but Montezuma is the wildcard worth watching. After two juvenile runs for Godolphin he was sold to Jim Goldie for 55,000 guineas and while his first season for the yard didn’t explode, six runs produced repeated signs that a breakthrough was near, including being beaten as favourite on his last two starts. When Goldie gets him right he could deliver a sprint sequence similar to other recent stable improvers.