After rallying behind Daryz in the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the panel of Weekend Winners shifted its focus to the Challenge Cup at Ascot. This historic handicap over seven furlongs has attracted a full field of eighteen contenders, with the William Haggas‑trained Thunder Call entering the race as the early favorite according to the betting market. Among the challengers, Moonfall will be ridden by the promising partnership of Billy Loughnane and George Boughey, while the Royal Ascot winner Mezcala also lines up, hoping to add another accolade to its record.
The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 3.35 p.m. on Saturday, giving fans a front‑row seat to the action. "The Challenge Cup truly lives up to its name – it’s a tough test," one pundit explained.
"I thought Thunder Call was heavily overrated at 11/4, so I decided to take a chance elsewhere. It’s interesting that Richard Spencer has performed well in these kinds of contests throughout the season, even though he’s been a little quiet lately. He does have two runners here – Hawksbill and Two Tribes – and I was particularly intrigued by those two." The conversation then turned to a long‑shot contender, a horse currently priced around 20/1. "His form at Ascot is evident to anyone who watches," the analyst noted.
"He finished second in the International Stakes carrying a pound less, which is the performance that catches my eye. He’s a genuinely good horse and now has the advantage of a seven‑pound weight reduction thanks to jockey Toby Moore, a factor that could be decisive.
As for Ayr, I’ll say less is more, but in the International he was behind Extremely Zain, who has since won again at York in impressive fashion." "It could be a race that stretches his limits, but Toby Moore’s booking was eye‑catching, and I hope he can deliver a strong finish," the commentator added. The discussion later shifted back to Mezcala, with the panel recalling the horse’s previous triumphs. "It’s ‘once more unto the breach, dear friends’ for Mezcala," one voice declared.
"I just hope Port Master gets a decent run because the pace looks limited and the race could become chaotic. Remember, they rail off the straight track to keep the surface fresh for Champions Day later in the meeting. Even with a smaller field, the pack can split into two groups, so tactics will be crucial." Mezcala’s recent form was examined in detail.
"If he can replicate his performance from the Buckingham Palace Stakes, he has a wonderful chance here. The race set‑up suits a rail‑runner, giving him cover and allowing him to finish strongly. He was a touch lucky that the runner‑up seemed to idle a little, but if he returns to that level of form, he’ll be right in the mix. He also ran admirably at the Leger meeting under tough conditions.
George Bass needs to ensure he’s well‑covered throughout." The panelist continued, "I’m still backing Mezcala and hoping everything goes his way. His Doncaster run last time was respectable – low draws were a factor and he started from 14, which didn’t help his running style. I also think the 98‑pound assignment may have been a touch high, and he’s now been given a generous one‑pound allowance." "He remains above his Royal Ascot‑winning mark, but back on this track with the familiar partnership of George Bass, I like him at 15/2," the expert concluded. For viewers who want to catch every moment, the full Weekend Winners show will be available on the At The Races YouTube channel, alongside the live broadcast on Sky Sports Racing.
The Challenge Cup promises a blend of seasoned talent and emerging prospects, making it a must‑watch fixture for any racing enthusiast. With Thunder Call, Mezcala, Moonfall, and several dark horses all vying for the prize, the outcome remains anyone’s guess, and the strategic choices of trainers, jockeys, and bettors will shape the narrative of this storied contest.