August 20 / 16.10 York

16.10

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV
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Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 620-24 D

Last run: 123 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Easily his best Flat run of 2024 was at this track; also ran well when a close fourth of 14 at Musselburgh (again 1m6f) this April and returning to 2m may well suit him; it's striking, however, that his top six RPRs on Flat turf have been delivered on softer than good; cheekpieces (which he's often worn) return and he's tongue tied first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Looked better than ever when third in the Morebattle Hurdle here in February and posted a good third on the Flat at Musselburgh last month; must enter calculations in refitted cheekpieces.

3/1

3rd

1

(11)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Wise Eagle

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Adam Nicol

Won this prize in 2023 and had a fruitful Flat/hurdles campaign last winter before his close fourth in this; while he did not make an impact in either of his Flat runs this winter, latest hurdles form was his best in that sphere; 8lb lower than the 2025 renewal and a case can certainly be made.

13/2

3rd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Runner-up here (2m, soft) last February and back on song when third at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; he's lightly raced over hurdles and is on an attractive mark judged on his very useful Flat form, but he needs to raise his game if he's to take this.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: -74025

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably on good to firm ground on his first and penultimate turf attempts this season; beaten a neck by Almuhit over 2m in the latter but in just a four-runner race; edging down the weights but others are a bit more persuasive; no win since May 2023 and connections turn to headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:45 Salisbury

Artistic Star

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Without a win since May 2023 and only four ran when second in a 2m Newbury handicap in July; new cheekpieces did nothing for him when down the field at York last time and he now goes in blinkers.

6/1

2

(8)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Artistic Star

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Ran creditably on good to firm ground on his first and penultimate turf attempts this season; beaten a neck by Almuhit over 2m in the latter but in just a four-runner race; edging down the weights but others are a bit more persuasive; no win since May 2023 and connections turn to headgear.

14/1

5th

5

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Goodwood

Artistic Star

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Ran respectably on soft here two years ago; downgraded from Group contests to handicaps for last five outings, running creditably on first and latest attempts this season; they were over 1m6f and 2m, beaten a neck last time but in just a four-runner race; this event is more competitive.

18/1

Form: -51144

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won three (one on good to firm) of her four handicaps; improvement has stalled in Listed race and Irish Group 3 but she came from last to fourth in a steadily run, nine-runner race for the latter over 1m6f, despite hanging right, and that gave encouragement for 2m on today's return to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Newmarket

Santorini Star

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Upped to 2m for a handicap win at York Ebor meeting (good to firm) last August; tried front-running to positive effect against her own sex over about 1m6f on her subsequent two starts when winning the Group 2 Park Hill at Doncaster (good to soft) and second in Group 1 at Longchamp (very soft); has a form chance on this return but the stayer's mantle will have to be shed.

5/1

1st

5

(4)

11th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Santorini Star

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Unraced on softer than good; fourth when she tried a Listed race and Irish Group 3 this summer, coming from last to fourth in a steadily run race for the latter over 1m6f, despite hanging right; 2m duly proved just the ticket back in a handicap at York three weeks ago, asserting late on; perhaps testing ground will offset today's shorter distance; chance if so.

6/1

3

(10)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Santorini Star

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won three (one on good to firm) of her four handicaps; improvement has stalled in Listed race and Irish Group 3 but she came from last to fourth in a steadily run, nine-runner race for the latter over 1m6f, despite hanging right, and that gave encouragement for 2m on today's return to a handicap.

5/1

Form: 250321 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Fifth in this race in 2023; third of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in June, followed by a creditable second of three at Beverley and a narrow win from off the pace when claimer ridden at Wolverhampton; that's a solid sequence and no problems with trip/ground but he now has his highest mark for over two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Charging Thunder

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player.

9/4

7th

9

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Charging Thunder

8st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Had underwhelming hurdle and AW campaigns before his second of five when returned to Flat turf at Beverley (2m) 18 days ago; this demands markedly better and his 2024 and 2025 turf records aren't that persuasive.

25/1

2nd

1

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 32y

Class 3

16:00 Beverley

Charging Thunder

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Second to Sax Appeal over C&D and successful over 1m6f at Wolverhampton (both off 2lb higher than today) last July; it's hard to be enthused by his more recent efforts, including well held at Newcastle on Good Friday, but this is a much less competitive scenario.

4/1

Form: 074757

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Final leg of last summer's handicap hat-trick was at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f) and he ran well in Listed event on return; not in the best of form in handicaps since, the closest of those finishes coming three starts back when seventh of 20 over 2m4f at Royal Ascot in first-time cheekpieces (kept since but now discarded); others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

2024 C&D winner who broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared with restored cheekpieces at Kempton (2m, AW) in March; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) confirmed that he's turned a corner and must remain in serious calculations.

3/1

2nd

5

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Align The Stars

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Thereabouts on occasions in 2025, crept down the weights and broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared five weeks ago wearing restored cheekpieces in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW); back up 4lb but showed plenty of bottle in that win and may have turned a corner.

6/1

1st

4

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 9lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

On a losing run of 13 since his hat-trick in summer 2024; has dropped in the weights, was thereabouts on occasions in 2025 and it can be argued that today's headgear switch will help, but there's a bit for him to prove on AW (it's only his third AW race) and others have more pressing claims.

12/1

Form: -43282 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Career-best form this season, beaten a neck by Spirit Mixer in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) in June and another close second at Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) 18 days ago; ran poorly when he tried front-running on penultimate start; up 2lb to another career-high mark, with a slight question about good to firm ground, but he has to be in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(4)

6th Sep 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Dancing In Paris

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ian Williams

Consistent sort who was third in this last year (good) and has gone close three times this season, including at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) last month; another good run when fourth of 13 at York (2m, good to firm) last time and he's a solid each-way contender.

8/1

6

(12)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Dancing In Paris

9st 3lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ian Williams

Career-best form this season, beaten a neck by Spirit Mixer in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) in June and another close second at Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) 18 days ago; ran poorly when he tried front-running on penultimate start; up 2lb to another career-high mark, with a slight question about good to firm ground, but he has to be in serious calculations.

5/1

Form: -57215 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Eighth in this race last year on his only visit to York; while his peak form was in 2022, he was virtually at that level when 25-1 winner of the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) in June by a neck from Dancing In Paris; back up another 5lb with arguably more to prove on good to firm these days, including after his fair fifth to Fireblade at Ascot 11 days ago but that was a muddling race at the Shergar Cup; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(10)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Spirit Mixer

9st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

One of three for the yard; won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) last June and has a 4-7 record at Chester, although his two performances in this race were muted (from double-figure draws); reappearance six weeks ago matched his best 2025 form but a bit extra will be needed.

14/1

3rd

3

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Spirit Mixer

9st 13lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last June and bagged a second valuable 2m handicap success of the year at Chester in September; however, disappointing in this race in 2024 on his only race at Kempton and this stage of the season may not be the time to catch him.

7/1

5

(1)

25th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Newmarket

Spirit Mixer

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Held on determinedly in the Northumberland Plate in June and bagged a second valuable 2m handicap success of the year when leading late on at Chester (good to soft) 12 days ago; should give another good account but would struggle to live with an on-song Palladium and/or Live Your Dream.

10/1

Form: 081-08 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Visits to Britain last year provided a rich haul with wins in the Chester Plate (2m2f, good to firm), Northumberland Vase at Newcastle (2m, AW) and Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, soft); Royal Ascot (2m4f) two months ago was a nightmare as he tried to come from the back, finishing 3l eighth of 20, but it reinforced the view that he has another big handicap in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

15

(14)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Alphonse Le Grande

8st 9lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: A J Martin

Held up; an excellent 2024 included wins in the Chester Plate on this card (his only run here) and the Cesarewitch at Newmarket; 2025 campaign was initially promising then frustrating, including with trouble in running, but ended up being disappointing; has a recent 1m2f run under his belt and would be competitive off this slightly reduced mark if back on song.

14/1

13th

5

(17)

24th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 100y

19:45 Cork

Alphonse Le Grande

9st 6lb

J: James Ryan

T: A J Martin

2024 Cesarewitch winner was winless in light campaign last year; absent since November and this trip on the short side for seasonal return.

16/1

8

(15)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Alphonse Le Grande

8st 13lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: A J Martin

Three big-race wins in Britain last year included the Chester Plate (2m2f, good to firm) and this race (soft; 6lb higher today); while nothing like that impact this term, trying to come from the back at Royal Ascot was a nightmare and it wasn't much better at York's Ebor meeting, beaten 3l in both; they suggested he could still have another big handicap win in him.

7/1

Form: 172231 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Winner on good to firm of his first and latest starts this season, the latter when seizing the initiative 4f out in steadily run Shergar Cup race at Ascot 11 days ago on his second attempt at 2m (four of these rivals, headed by Almuhit, behind him); raised another 5lb but reliable and progressive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(4)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Fireblade

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Dylan Cunha

Did well last season, including a win over 1m4f in April but he was best later on at about 2m (including at York); reappearance this term was pretty encouraging, considering it was over just 1m2f, and he looks a serious each-way contender.

14/1

4th

8

(5)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Fireblade

8st 13lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Dylan Cunha

Did well for his new yard last season, winning twice (1m4f/2m, good to firm); his current mark maybe isn't beyond him but he's never run over a trip this short and he's probably vulnerable on his reappearance.

12/1

10

(3)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Fireblade

8st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Dylan Cunha

Regular improvement for new yard, including a win at the Shergar Cup at Ascot (2m, good to firm) in August and going oh so close off this mark in three-way photo at York (2m, good) on latest outing; he's well handicapped and, with a good chance that 2m2f will help with further progress, another bold show should be on its way.

33/1

16/1

Form: -P4112 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Bar one blip, this 6yo has been a tremendous success story this year since wind surgery; dictated the pace when gamely seeing off the challengers at Newbury (2m, good to firm) in two four-runner races this summer; he couldn't do the same against Fireblade at Ascot 11 days ago, again setting a steady pace, but kept on stoutly to beat the rest and he has each-way claims again in what could be a more strongly run affair this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Almuhit

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Faye Bramley

Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.

16/1

4th

15

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Almuhit

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Four-time Flat winner is 2-19 over hurdles; 8l behind Laughing John when runner up in qualifier for this at Wincanton on penultimate; modest run on the level at Musselburgh on latest; others make more appeal.

12/1

Form: -42857

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Regularly switches between Flat and hurdle races, beaten a neck in the latter sphere on penultimate outing; close second at York in May was easily his most competitive show on the Flat this season but that was over 1m4f and his seventh of nine behind several of these at Ascot 11 days ago failed to prove that this is his trip on the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.

12/1

6th

3

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

Ended his time with Adrian Keatley below par last autumn but a winner over fences at Southwell for his new yard before being pulled up at Market Rasen in December; needs to bounce back after a layoff.

16/1

Form: 333073 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won at Ripon (2m) in April in a pretty consistent campaign; arguably has a bit more to prove on ground firmer than good, but he's usually held up and that put him at a disadvantage when third of nine to two of these in Shergar Cup race at Ascot 11 days ago; has a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Artisan Dancer

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f but turf strike-rate is 1-19; not discredited on latest start (1m5f) but others are preferred.

16/1

4th

6

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Artisan Dancer

9st 6lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and dependable sort over 1m6f-2m2f but his turf strike-rate is just 1-18 and return to turf last time saw him well held.

25/1

10th

11

(3)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Artisan Dancer

8st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and dependable sort over 1m6f-2m2f, who's fit from AW, but his turf strike-rate is just 1-17 and that makes him look vulnerable.

20/1

Form: 049-51 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Tenth of 16 in the 1m6f Melrose at this meeting last year; got up close home in a novice hurdle in May and registered his best Flat performance when going on 2f out for a 4l win at this track (good to firm) on latest outing; 8lb higher today (1lb out of the handicap) but that win was his first attempt at 2m on the Flat and he did it in good style.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

(6)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Terrorise

9st 5lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Ended last season in poor form and, despite a subsequent wind op, also looked out of sorts when back in action last month; needs to get career back on track and is probably better suited by longer trips than this now.

20/1

13th

7

(9)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Terrorise

9st 4lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won a novice hurdle last May and convincingly at York (2m, good to firm; 4lb higher today) in July; however, comfortably held twice off his revised mark, before a heavy defeat in October when last seen; had wind surgery last month and perhaps best watched this time.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.20
Straight Forecast £107.66
Tricast £1812.98
Trifecta £2163.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Alphonse Le Grande

The Times:

Santorini Star

Telegraph:

Terrorise

NEWMARKET:

Fireblade

TOPSPEED:

Align The Stars

RP RATINGS:

Artistic Star

The Guardian:

Dancing In Paris

POSTDATA:

Maghlaak

LAMBOURN:

Almuhit

D Express:

Wise Eagle

The Sun:

Santorini Star

The Star:

Terrorise

Daily Mail:

Alphonse Le Grande

Daily Mirror:

Alphonse Le Grande

Daily Record:

Alphonse Le Grande