• Home
  • Horse Racing

2026 Middle Park Stakes Tips - Ascot winner to bounce back at Newmarket

jon-vine
Editor
Last updated: Thu 24 Sep 2026 15:27
The 2026 Middle Park Stakes features a competitive line-up of talented colts, highlighted by Inner City Blues, Orthodox, and Push The Boat Out. With former favorite Great Barrier Reef absent, Inner City Blues heads the betting. However, the article's expert tip is Orthodox, who impressed at Royal Ascot but struggled on softer ground in the Prix Morny. Trainer Clive Cox has a strong Middle Park record, and Orthodox is expected to thrive on better conditions. Punters are recommended to back Orthodox to claim victory this year.
Jon Vine 1 hour ago
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Middle Park Stakes
  • This Group One takes place at Newmarket on Saturday 26th September
  • Orthodox is our best bet at 11/4
orthodox ascot
Rossa Ryan celebrates after riding Orthodox to win the Norfolk Stakes on Day Five during Royal Ascot 2026. (Getty)

Once the winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes has been crowned, a field of talented colts will take to the Rowley Mile ahead of the Middle Park Stakes. Like the Cheveley Park, several legends of the sport have landed this huge juvenile prize, including the likes of Sun Chariot, Abernant, Brigadier Gerard and Dark Angel.

Here's our free guide to the 2026 Middle Park Stakes, including our best betting tips.

2026 Middle Park Stakes Odds


Name
Odds
Inner City Blues15/8
Orthodox11/4
Push The Boat Out7/2
Marco Polo7/1
Bar12/1

2026 Middle Park Stakes Runners


After ante-post favourite Great Barrier Reef was left out of the final field, Inner City Blues has jumped to the head of the betting. Charlie Appleby's colt is unbeaten in two career starts and will be looking to hand the boys in blue a third successive Middle Park, following victories for Shadow Of Light and Wise Approach.

Orthodox was hugely impressive when scoring at Royal Ascot, and connections are keen to put a line through a poor effort in the Prix Morny last time out. The leading Irish challenger is Mick O'Callaghan's Push The Boat Out, who chased down Great Barrier Reef to land the Round Tower Stakes on his most recent outing.

In Great Barrier Reef's absence, Aidan O'Brien's leading contender looks to be recent Cork maiden winner Marco Polo. Confucius will also represent Ballydoyle, despite being beaten at short prices on his last three starts.

Robson De Aguiar steps Force Noir up to six furlongs following an impressive victory at Dundalk last week. Saturday's field is completed by Adrian Keatley's Gimcrack Stakes third Hell Of A Spin.

2026 Middle Park Stakes Tips


Inner City Blues will be all the rage in the betting, given Charlie Appleby's recent record. However, William Buick's mount hasn't been seen since a fairly workmanlike victory in the July Stakes, and the two rivals he beat that day have been comprehensively beaten in seven starts between them since.

The only runner that I'm really keen to back here is ORTHODOX (11/4). Clive Cox's star was simply superb at Royal Ascot, flying home from off the pace to beat some – let's face it – pretty average rivals in the Norfolk Stakes.

Cox then had some reservations about running Orthodox on slower ground in the Prix Morny, and it was clear from an early stage that his raider didn't take to the surface. Rossa Ryan's mount always seemed to be doing a little too much through the first four furlongs of the contest, and Orthodox didn't really pick up at all as he attempted to match Senorita Bonita's winning burst.

Ryan spoke to the press earlier in the week, stating that his mount hated the ground at Deauville, and there was a twinkle in his eye when asked how Orthodox had been working since. Clive Cox is excellent at nurturing speedy young colts. He's won the Middle Park on two occasions, and I see no reason why Orthodox won't add to his tally this weekend.

Live Stream


Visit our Middle Park Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch this Group One via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

Orthodox is our selection in the 2026 Middle Park Stakes.

Best Bet1: Orthodox 2026 Middle Park Stakes Tips @11/4 at bet365 - 5 Units
Orthodox
2026 Middle Park Stakes Tips
@11/4 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
jon-vine
Jon Vine

Horse Racing Editor • 15+ Years of Experience, Horse Racing Analyst & Tipster

Jon has been a sports writer and tipster for over 15 years. Over the last decade, he has become completely immersed in all things horse racing. Every race is a puzzle that he is eager to solve.

Favourite races over jumps would include the Brown Advisory Chase (RSA) at the Cheltenham Festival and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. On the flat, the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is the race that excites most each season.

Favourite horses of all time include Vautour, Laurens, Road To Respect, Topofthegame, Saint Calvados and Elegant Escape.


You can follow Jon at Muckrack or on Linkedin.

Read More

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

26 Sep 2026

2026 Middle Park Stakes

days

hours

min

Add to Calendar
Hear more from Freetips.com