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Criterion Stakes 2026 Betting Odds

Saturday 27 June 2026 · Newmarket · By Matthew Glazier

There are lots of potential winners of the Criterion Stakes at York Racecourse. Lake Forest is among them and the four-year-old has looked in solid form in his past two encounters. However, there are several of the field of thirteen that can also land a victory. This includes Formal who was successful last time out and could be ready to follow up that performance.

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Audience needs to find improvement based on his previous two showings. Perhaps there’s a better chance for Paborus who won on his seasonal debut. Edward Bethell’s four-year-old has a decent chance if he can reproduce this form, while Prague returns to the track after a successful season as a four-year-old.

Criterion Stakes Runners & Odds

11 runners

Odds are supplied directly by the bookmakers and can move quickly - check all details of your bet before placing it. How we compare odds

2025 Criterion Stakes Betting Tips

Lake Forest is likely to go off as favourite for the Criterion Stakes. William Haggas trains a four-year-old who was last seen finishing fifth at Ascot. Sent off at 14/1 in the Queen Anne Stakes at the royal meeting, it was a very solid effort from the runner, with this coming after finishing fourth out of seven when appearing in the Prix du Palais-Royal.

Back in November, the horse produced a strong effort when obliging in the James Squire Golden Eagle. This took place at Rosehill in Australia, with the 18/1 shot stunning everyone with a solid effort. However, some punters might be in search of a bigger price and Formal was an impressive winner at Epsom in a previous effort.

That victory came in the Surrey Stakes where the horse was able to score over seven furlongs. That was after failing to make an impression in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, with Audience another one for consideration. It’s been a while since the horse won and it was a slightly disappointing effort when finishing seventh as 15/8 favourite in the John of Gaunt Stakes.

Paborus is the horse that catches the eye at a decent price. Edward Bethell saddles a four-year-old who was impressive when scoring at Thirsk in April. The 6/4 favourite was able to oblige over seven furlongs when scoring by over two lengths. That came after an October success on the all-weather at Southwell, with the horse now bidding for a hat-trick.


2023 Criterion Stakes Tips

Aldaary could take all the beating when it comes to the 2023 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket, with the five-year-old having the potential to shine on the July course. Over seven furlongs, there should be a strong performance from a horse returning to the track after a year’s absence, although it was plain sailing in the Pertemps Network Spring Trophy at Haydock.

Back in October 2021, there was a victory in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot, with that coming after a previous success at the same course. Indeed, the horse has won its previous three outings although such a lengthy absence might compel punters to look for an alternative selection and Pogo ticks a lot of boxes.

The Charles Hills-trained runner isn’t necessarily going to be a warm order with customers who look at the horse’s form, although tenth place in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot was understandable at odds of 125/1, while the horse was also in esteemed company when finishing well down the order in the Al Quoz Sprint.

Indeed, this is a horse that has lined up in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and there’s also Berkshire Shadow who could be a real force as a four-year-old. There were wins at Wolverhampton and Newcastle earlier in the season before a third placed finish at Newbury and then a fifth-placed finish in the Queen Anne Stakes which means he could be a good each-way selection.

Other ante-post races at Newmarket

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  1. Falmouth Stakes Fri 10 Jul 2026
    Fav: Precise
    +175 Bet365
  2. Bunbury Cup Sat 11 Jul 2026
    Fav: Mezcala
    +800 Bet365
  3. July Cup Sat 11 Jul 2026
    Fav: Venetian Sun
    +250 Bet365
  4. Old Rowley Cup Handicap Fri 9 Oct 2026
    Fav: Radiant Light
    +280 Unibet
  5. 2000 Guineas Sat 1 May 2027
    Fav: Great Barrier Reef
    +1400 Bet365
  6. 1000 Guineas Sun 2 May 2027
    Fav: Victorious
    +1200 Bet365

Criterion Stakes FAQ

When does the 2026 Criterion Stakes take place?
The 2026 Criterion Stakes is scheduled to start at 2.58pm on Saturday 27 June 2026.
Where does the 2026 Criterion Stakes take place?
The Criterion Stakes is run at Newmarket Racecourse in England.
Who is the favourite for the 2026 Criterion Stakes?
Never So Brave is the current favourite for the 2026 Criterion Stakes at 1/1 with Bet365, from 11 entries in the ante-post market. Prices move daily, so compare the latest odds in the table above.
What are the latest odds for the 2026 Criterion Stakes?
The current 2026 Criterion Stakes market is led by Never So Brave at 1/1, Saber Strike at 7/4 and Paborus at 6/1. Compare every bookmaker's price in the table above.
Which bookmaker has the best odds for the Criterion Stakes?
In the current market, Bet365 offers the biggest price about Never So Brave at 1/1. We compare every bookmaker's Criterion Stakes odds in the table above so you can always take the top price.
Can I bet each-way on the Criterion Stakes?
Yes. An each-way bet on the Criterion Stakes is two bets in one, a win and a place. The number of places paid and the place fraction are set by each bookmaker and confirmed when the final field is declared, so check the each-way terms before betting.
Are there free bets or offers for the 2026 Criterion Stakes?
Yes. Sign up with the bookmakers listed at Racing-Odds.com, place a qualifying bet on the Criterion Stakes and claim free bets and betting offers once it settles.
Can I watch the 2026 Criterion Stakes live?
Several bookmakers stream the Criterion Stakes live from Newmarket. Fund your account or place a qualifying bet, then watch the Criterion Stakes in-play from start to finish.