15.10
GoodJohn Smith’s Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
- Prize money: £103080
- 1m 2f 56y
- Class 2
- 18 runners
Runners: 18 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Sunny
6/1
Form: 314-01 CD
Last run: 57 days
W: 9st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 104
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 (13) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
His two wins here came on good to firm but he also acts on soft; respectable seventh of 22 to Raammee in the John Smith's Cup over C&D (good to firm) latest; being eased 2lb is a help but it may not be quite enough. |
22/1 |
|
7th 4 (8) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
Dual winner here (both on good to firm) who was sixth in this last year and was runner-up to Warrant Holder over C&D (good) this May; soundly beaten at Royal Ascot since but he's an each-way possible back at York. |
18/1 |
|
15th 10 (28) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 5lb |
Back to form with second at the York Dante festival (good) in the 1m2f event he'd won 12 months earlier; before racing over longer trips he was a three-time 1m winner and ran creditably in major handicap over C&D once; may remain competitive. |
20/1 |
8/1
Form: 00-653
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 11lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 (9) |
29th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Has form over a variety of trips; Goodwood record (1m2f) reads 212, the last two performances at Listed level, including an effort that ties him in closely with Boiling Point; only 2l behind Seagulls Eleven over 1m at Ascot most recently; could go well. |
10/1 |
18/1
Form: -70903 D
Last run: 7 days
W: 9st 10lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 19 (2) |
31st Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 0lb |
Landed the Chesterfield Cup at this meeting in 2023, initiating a notable double; however, has failed to score since and current mark reflects a broad decline in his form; drop to Class 3 had no effect last time and he looks a shadow of his former self. |
33/1 |
|
9th 5 (3) |
9th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 3 |
10st 0lb |
He's fully 7lb lower than when a close third at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) last July but was soundly beaten on his final three outings last season and it's been the same story on his two starts this term. |
33/1 |
|
7th 3 (8) |
25th Jun 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 0f 5y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Often held up in rear, so he saw very little daylight when 50-1 off career-low mark in the Spring Cup at Newbury in April; dropped another 2lb since but he last won in September 2023 and failed to make an impact in all but one of his races in 2025, so does not look the percentage call. |
12/1 |
8/1
Form: /11-96 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 10lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 7 (1) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
5yo who has raced only ten times; looked very promising in the first part of the 2024 season and things clicked again with a 2l win at Newbury (1m2f, good) two months ago; possible player after a 5lb rise. |
9/1 |
|
1st 1 (3) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 2f 0y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Talented 5yo, but has endured some lengthy absences in his career and was returning from another 280 days off when seventh of 24 in the Spring Cup here (1m, good) last month; return to this trip is not a problem and he's interesting down in grade. |
9/2 |
50/1
Form: 424140 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 9lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 101
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (10) |
24th Aug 2025 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 3 |
10st 2lb |
Gained his wins in Ireland and during a spell in Bahrain; has struggled in Britain this summer and needs to derive significant benefit from this drop back in class. |
33/1 |
|
2 (8) |
7th Aug 2025 Standard To Slow 1m 2f 0y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Won in Bahrain (1m2f, good to firm) in March; returned from break with mid-division finish in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) and he was always in rear at York (1m2f) last month; dropped 3lb and this return to Polytrack is no problem but others are more compelling. |
10/1 |
|
5 (4) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 9lb |
Won in Bahrain (1m2f, good to firm) in March; returned from break with mid-division finish in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month and this step back up in trip could help, but others are more compelling. |
50/1 |
40/1
Form: 77000-
Last run: 347 days
W: 9st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 98
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 3 (11) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
Fourth in the John Smith's Cup over C&D and Cambridgeshire over 1m1f at Newmarket (both good to firm) on joining this yard last year and opened the current campaign with a win back at Newmarket (1m1f, good to firm again) in May; another creditable effort when sixth of 28 in Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot since, despite leaving the impression even a stiff 1m was a little on the short side; had winning form on softer than good in Ireland much earlier in his career; likely to be on the premises. |
7/1 |
|
6th 18 (24) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Campaigned over 1m1f/1m2f for current yard; beat Fifth Column by half a length at Newmarket (good to firm) in sole run this season, ending a five-year losing spell and showing he retains plenty of ability aged eight; has form claims but doesn't seem to be crying out for this return to 1m. |
12/1 |
|
1st 6 (8) |
2nd May 2026 Good 1m 1f 0y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Easily first home in his near-side group when strong-finishing fourth of 23 in the Cambridgeshire over C&D (good to firm) in September; just 1lb higher today and that wasn't his only solid performance in a good handicap last term, so he could be a major each-way player. |
10/1 |
33/1
Form: 143-20 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 (4) |
13th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 0y Class 3 |
10st 2lb |
Close third over C&D in May since when he's been up against it in Class 2s won by a Group horse and then the John Smith's Cup, in which he ran perfectly well for a 66-1 chance; very capable of a big show, though the cheekpieces are new and so too is Donagh Murphy claiming 7lb. |
8/1 |
|
8th 10 (17) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Back to form with close third of six at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in May; however, only seventh of 16 at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) last time on ground he should have handled; can be slowly away; others preferred. |
33/1 |
|
7th 11 (5) |
5th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 1m 2f 17y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
Failed to figure from the widest draw behind Respond at Chester (went well there previously) on reappearance but a close third of six when favourite at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) 11 days ago; with a good soft-ground record too, he could be a major player. |
12/1 |
9/1
Form: 174-16 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 4lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 (2) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Record of 3-4 this season for new stable includes two wins in major handicaps; took his form to an even higher level with impressive performance in a conditions race at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f, good to soft) on last appearance; one of two Andrew Balding-trained runners who are going into deeper waters but may be capable of further improvement. |
20/1 |
|
1st 3 (9) |
1st Aug 2025 Good 1m 1f 11y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
Won in style at Newmarket (1m1f) in May, first home in the centre group in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m) in June and tidy winner of the valuable John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f) three weeks ago; more to prove on ground softer than good, which he tried four times in previous seasons; going great guns but needs markedly better form to upstage all of today's rivals. |
11/2 |
|
8 (19) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Won over 1m2f for Sir Michael Stoute and scored in style on his stable and seasonal debut at Newmarket (1m1f, good) in May; first home in the centre group when sixth of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; interesting contender for connections who won this in 2019 and 2021. |
9/1 |
22/1
Form: 116535 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 4lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (8) |
22nd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 4f 15y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
9yo who was well beaten in the John Smith's Cup at York last month but won two in a row here (1m5f/1m4f, good to firm) in May and continued in good form until his blip last time; not ruled out now back here. |
12/1 |
|
9 (12) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Two wins at Hamilton (1m5f/1m4f, good to firm) in May and creditable fifth in the Northumberland Plate a fortnight ago (2m, AW); he's a 9yo who has never won off a mark this high but is versatile in terms of trip and ran well over C&D last month; not ruled out each-way. |
22/1 |
|
5th 7 (2) |
28th Jun 2025 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Third and sixth in last two runnings of the C&D Vase on this card; in the groove with successive wins at Hamilton (1m5f/1m4f) this May; however, he's been held off this mark when back up to Class 2 in his three starts since, still in form but suggesting that others will have the edge today. |
18/1 |
14/1
Form: 10-881 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 9st 4lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 2 (8) |
28th Sep 2025 Good 1m 2f 17y Class 3 |
10st 2lb |
Has become inconsistent but looks interesting back down in grade, having recorded 1m2f wins at Ascot and Sandown in last two attempts in Class 3; admittedly on a tougher mark now. |
8/1 |
|
7th 6 (14) |
30th Aug 2025 Good 1m 1f 209y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
4yo who won twice last year and got back on track to score over C&D (good; acts on soft) this June in first-time cheekpieces, which have been kept since; did not get run of the race in a top York handicap seven weeks ago and not discredited; needs a second look. |
16/1 |
|
10 (18) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
4yo who won twice last year and got back on track to win in first-time cheekpieces at Sandown (1m2f, good) last month; appeared to have more in hand than the 1l winning margin suggests and he might have more to offer in the headgear; could be in the mix under a 5lb penalty. |
14/1 |
5/1
Form: 11-122 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 (10) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Made it 4-4 in handicaps (and for this yard) when winning at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) in May and he's been a very creditable second on his next two starts, most recently over C&D when behind an exciting prospect from the Gosden yard; has the same mark as last time and could play a leading role. |
5/1 |
|
4 (1) |
13th Jun 2025 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Improving 4yo who tasted his first defeat in handicaps (had been 4-4) when unable to reel in the front-running Liberty Coach in Redcar's Zetland Gold Cup (1m2f, good to firm); that was no backward step and the 4lb rise is fair enough; considered. |
11/2 |
|
2nd 6 (3) |
26th May 2025 Good 1m 2f 1y Class 2 |
9st 11lb |
Reappeared over C&D this month having been gelded, and in winning he made it 4-4 in handicaps and for this yard (the other wins were also over 1m2f on good to firm; two here); remains to be seen where the ceiling of his ability lies and a modest 3lb rise for last time could underestimate him. |
7/2 |
25/1
Form: -01320 D
Last run: 36 days
W: 9st 1lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20th 10 (12) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
Won at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April; respectable fifth of 15 over C&D (good) at the Dante meeting in May but well held twice since, latterly at 100-1 in the John Smith's Cup. |
28/1 |
|
14th 13 (19) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Won at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April and respectable fifth of 15 to Warrant Holder over this C&D (good) in May; the return to Epsom maybe didn't suit latest (well beaten) but he needs to bounce back with a career best. |
50/1 |
12/1
Form: 2-1502
Last run: 16 days
W: 8st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 (2) |
21st Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 2f 5y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
Very lightly raced, ex-French 5yo; up and down among his five British starts last season but ran some big races, including first time up, and he should be capable of winning off his current mark. |
9/1 |
|
13 (11) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
8st 12lb |
Ex-French 4yo who has raced only six times; ran well on first two stable starts (including over 1m here on fast ground) and bounced back from Redcar flop with close second at Newcastle (1m2f, AW), where he may well have won with a clear run; unexposed at the trip and could have a part to play. |
12/1 |
50/1
Form: 2-3870 C
Last run: 29 days
W: 8st 11lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 18 (2) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
8st 10lb |
Back to form with a bang when scoring comfortably over C&D (good to firm) six weeks ago, his 20th outing at this track; retains handicapping scope on old form after a 6lb rise but he's yet to win back to back. |
16/1 |
|
1st 4 (9) |
10th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 4 |
9st 12lb |
His 19 course starts have yielded five places and a win over 1m4f back in 2023 but he hasn't been at his best on turf here the last twice; back on a good mark but need to see more. |
20/1 |
25/1
Form: 115-35 C
Last run: 65 days
W: 8st 10lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 98
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 (3) |
5th Sep 2026 Good 0m 6f 0y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
Dropped to 6f in the autumn and won a 16-runner handicap at Newbury (good ground) in April; solid form when second back at Newbury in May but he ran poorly at York (7f, good) when last seen 12 weeks ago; not handicapped out of things if freshened up by his break. |
12/1 |
|
19th 2 (3) |
13th Jun 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
10st 2lb |
Snapped a losing sequence in big field at Newbury (6f, good) in April and good second there (6f, good) since; won over C&D in 2024 2yo campaign and he should be fine back up to 7f; bang in form and he's one to consider. |
8/1 |
|
2nd 7 (4) |
16th May 2026 Good 0m 6f 0y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
Narrowly regained the winning thread in big field over C&D (good) last time when dropped back to 6f for first time since debut; unexposed at this trip and still looks favourably treated back up just 3lb; respected. |
5/1 |
28/1
Form: 0-2277 D
Last run: 29 days
W: 8st 8lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 (4) |
3rd Sep 2026 Soft 1m 3f 140y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Just one win to his name since June 2023 and he failed to justify favouritism in a similar event at Catterick (1m4f, good) last time, with the reopposing Star Start a place ahead of him second; however, his record in recent years suggests that going softer than good is ideal for him nowadays and this is the first time he's faced such conditions since a respectable reappearance off a much higher mark in the spring; considered. |
5/1 |
|
3rd 1 (5) |
17th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 13y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Just one win to his name since June 2023 and he has found it tough going so far in 2026; he has slipped a long way in the weights though and today's drop in class will help; not discounted. |
9/2 |
|
5th 7 (4) |
25th Jul 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 4f 98y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Won once each in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 but has not scored since and this season he's not at all been the force of old; wore cheekpieces on last two outings, with a respectable show on first occasion; the last of his three AW races was in 2024; unpersuasive. |
25/1 |
9/4
Form: 22-211 C
Last run: 14 days
W: 8st 7lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 (9) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 0f 177y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Unplaced favourite in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) but bounced back to win the competitive Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago; defied joint-top weight last time and he could give a good account now up in grade; has shown promise on soft. |
14/1 |
|
1st 2 (20) |
31st Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Contrasting performances since fitted with hood, winning readily at Meydan but disappointing favourite in the Royal Hunt Cup returned to British soil; something to prove off an unchanged mark, which remains 10lb above the last one he raced off prior to UAE stint. |
16/1 |
|
20th 6 (18) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
In good form at Meydan this year for new yard, most recently scoring readily in first-time hood to take his 1m record to 22111 (all wins on good/firmer); may have even more to offer over this trip in the retained headgear; sound claims. |
10/1 |
50/1
Form: 475744 D
Last run: 6 days
W: 8st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 (8) |
3rd Sep 2026 Standard 1m 2f 42y Class 5 |
9st 6lb |
Has posted some good efforts this season but is without a win since September 2024, and finished behind Amidst The Chaos at Doncaster last time; visor returns and he has an each-way chance. |
7/1 |
|
5th 6 (1) |
15th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 43y Class 5 |
9st 5lb |
Winless since 2024 but in good form this season until last of six (in refitted cheekpieces) in 1m2f Epsom handicap 16 days ago; headgear is quickly dispensed with and this course scorer is the sort to bounce back. |
5/1 |
|
6th 1 (3) |
30th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 2f 17y Class 5 |
9st 12lb |
Without a win since 2024 but earns good marks for his consistency in recent months and lost out only by a head off today's mark at Ripon (1m2f, good) in June; probably won't be far away. |
3/1 |
Non-runners
Paddy The Squire
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £54.30 |
| Straight Forecast | £65.43 |
| Tricast | £157.71 |
| Trifecta | £379.50 |