August 22 / 13.50 York

13.50

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £61848
  • 1m 3f 188y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV
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Sky Bet Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.35
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 140375 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Clearcut win off 4lb lower at Epsom (1m4f, good) in April and creditable third at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) in July; made late headway, 1l behind Insanity, when fifth in the muddling 1m4f Shergar Cup race at Ascot 13 days ago, shaping as if in form; considered each-way given that this race looks less competitive than usual.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Asgards Captain

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f so perhaps unwise to read all that much into last two defeats over 2m and 1m6f; not impossibly treated on his solid 1m4f form earlier this season, and last year's efforts included a 2l defeat in this (not seen to best effect) and a victory over Insanity at York (1m4f, good to firm); in the mix.

13/2

6th

5

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.

33/1

12th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Three wins at this track but he came 13th in this race last year; that was his only appearance over this long a trip and he was also below form when he had a crack at 1m6f, so he's unproven beyond 1m4f, over which he's contested his last nine starts; stamina is the big doubt.

16/1

2nd
4 (8)
Insanity

7/1

  • Place: £2.25

Form: 0-6103 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Disappointing in his two starts at York, latterly in this race last year; back to his best on two of his last three outings when winning at Ayr (1m5f, good) in June and close third in a Shergar Cup race at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) 13 days ago; contender if the form is transferred to York this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Insanity

10st 1lb

J: Mme Marie Velon

T: Alan King

Has history in this race, having won it two seasons ago and only a length behind Night Breeze last year (good to firm; could have done with a truer gallop); just 2lb higher than 12 months ago and perhaps unwise to come down too harshly on his defeat at Royal Ascot, especially when his comeback run was so encouraging; shortlisted.

11/2

13th

14

(3)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Insanity

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

C&D winner who mostly ran well last season and did so again when second at Pontefract (1m2f) on reappearance this April; each-way chance if he can avoid trouble from an inside stall.

25/1

2nd

2

(9)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Insanity

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Soundly beaten on final run last term but on heavy ground, and it was a campaign in which he frequently ran really well, going close off this mark at York (1m2f, good) in October; won on his reappearance in 2024; respected.

11/2

9/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 612-80 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won in a hood (kept since) over 1m4f at Glorious Goodwood last July; never-nearer eighth when racing a bit freely at Royal Ascot on 2025 reappearance and although he settled better when trying 1m6f back at Goodwood three weeks ago, his progress from the back 3f out proved very short-lived; returns to 1m4f and, having been among the market leaders for both those races this term, there's a feeling of unfinished business with this lightly raced 4yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(11)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

French Duke

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Made a winning stable debut from off the pace at Meydan (1m4f, good; acts on soft) in January but has finished no better than mid-division in his four starts since; has edged back to that last winning mark, which he also had when a close third in this race last year.

8/1

6th

4

(11)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 2

20:26 Southwell (AW)

French Duke

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Made a winning stable debut at Meydan (12.5f, good) in January, but held in three starts since; ran with credit in one previous go on the AW, but others are more compelling.

16/1

6th

1

(1)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:05 Ascot

French Duke

10st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Performed respectably in three starts over C&D for Roger Varian and he made a winning stable debut at Meydan (1m4f, good) in January; lesser show at Abu Dhabi followed and he once again raced freely when beaten 17l in the Duke Of Edinburgh over C&D at last month's Royal meeting; hood makes a reappearance, which can be viewed positively.

9/1

12/1

Form: 366-70

Last run: 55 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
No win since 2022 in his French days but his close, strong-finishing third off today's mark in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good to firm) last May was unlucky considering where he had to come from; he's not quite lived up to that, best results since when second twice over hurdles, including latest start, and none of his races since leaving France have been over less than 1m6f, so this trip gives him a major question to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

(1)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

Zanndabad

9st 1lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: A J Martin

Two hurdle wins last autumn seem a pretty meagre return for his respected yard but he was unlucky when a strong-finishing third in the 2024 Chester Cup (2m2f) and much the same can be argued for his fourth in this race last year when denied a clear run at crucial stage (3lb lower today); usually makes inroads far too late, as in the Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate last two outings, and stall 1 demands some luck here, but a sound pace up front could bring him into the equation.

14/1

8th

18

(18)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Zanndabad

8st 13lb

J: N G McCullagh

T: A J Martin

Two novice hurdles last autumn seem a pretty meagre return for respected yard but he was an unlucky, strong-finishing third in the 2024 Chester Cup; glimpses of that Flat ability on occasions since, but he made inroads far too late from out the back in this last year (11th at 13-2) and it was a similar story in last month's Chester Cup (8th at 11-1); something needs to change and such a wide draw probably means he tries to come from the back again.

14/1

8th

11

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Zanndabad

8st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: A J Martin

An unlucky, strong-finishing third in this race in 2024 (good to firm; his only run here) and has a 1lb lower mark today; flickers of that ability on occasions since, though had to have his sights lowered for two hurdle wins last autumn; tailed off at 40-1 in a Grade 1 novice hurdle four weeks ago, after a winter break, and could be more interesting this time.

12/1

Form: 1-1460 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a Listed win from the front) whereas 0-7 on turf; he now has a 10lb lower turf mark and managed sixth of 16 at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) on penultimate start, but that's easily his best turf form; gelded since a poor show on latest outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Champagne Prince

8st 13lb

J: George Wood

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Superior on AW but handicapped accordingly and he was a promising fifth over 1m4f here (good to firm) in August, when he raced wide early and was in the lead at the furlong pole; again faded when last of five in Listed race at Chester last time (1m4f, good to soft; tough task at weights) and this drop back in trip could prove ideal; drawn low and one to consider seriously.

9/1

2

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Champagne Prince

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a 1m4f Listed win from the front last December) whereas 0-8 on turf; has shown easily his best turf form in two of his last three starts (gelded before latest) but much better is seemingly required today.

33/1

5th

6

(10)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

Champagne Prince

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a Listed win from the front) whereas 0-7 on turf; he now has a 10lb lower turf mark and managed sixth of 16 at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) on penultimate start, but that's easily his best turf form; gelded since a poor show on latest outing.

9/1

Form: 0-0167 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Made up a lot of late ground when second in amateurs' event over C&D (good to firm) in June and awarded it because of whip misuse on the first past the post; first-time visor that day, kept since when he didn't get the best of runs at Haydock and never figured in a muddling race back at York; each-way chance assuming this is a more strongly run race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(2)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

16:17 York

Chillingham

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Micky Hammond

Awarded C&D Queen Mother's Cup last June and much lower in the weights now, but that's because his form has fallen off a cliff; dangerous if blinkers (replacing other headgear) spark a revival but carries clear risks.

40/1

9th

3

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Chillingham

10st 6lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Micky Hammond

Awarded this race last year when also ridden by Becky Smith, and 6lb lower this time around; can't be totally written off but he's gone the wrong way over the last 12 months and was well beaten at 100-1 here last month.

5/1

15th

8

(12)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Chillingham

9st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Promoted to first in 1m4f handicap here (good to firm) last June and he races off 2lb lower today; however, he wasn't at his best last year on his final few runs for Edward Bethell, and failed to threaten over hurdles in the winter on his first two starts for this yard; may be best watched.

50/1

25/1

Form: 48-792 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won twice on good to firm at York in 2023, latterly in this race; 3lb lower today, having mostly disappointed since, but he went down by a neck off another 4lb lower at Doncaster (1m2f) seven weeks ago; left Kevin Ryan's for 8,000gns five days later and needs this to be another of his good days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

19:15 Newton Abbot

Marhaba The Champ

11st 12lb

J: Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

Refused to race on the Flat last month and again looked unenthusiastic on recent handicap hurdle debut here (2m1f, good), albeit he eventually made headway into sixth (behind Warfleet); remains a risky option.

16/1

6th

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Marhaba The Champ

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

Largely disappointing for this stable under both codes and, after a brief respite on the Flat at Newbury in April, he refused to come out of the stalls at York last month, both times in this headgear; best hurdle effort when runner-up at Newcastle (2m1f, good) in October offers some hope on handicap switch, but current form is a clear concern.

11/2

7

(14)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Marhaba The Champ

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Sophie Leech

Formerly useful for Kevin Ryan but was sold last July and has been comfortably held since on the Flat and over hurdles; this tongue-tie (tried once in 2023) returned on latest outing, along with first-time hood; 17lb below his peak mark, but no win since he scored twice at York in 2023.

33/1

11/2

Form: -65382 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Had excuses for his two performances here this season but they were clearly his worst results this year and he was well below form in his two visits to York last term; that prompts a lingering concern but this season's third at Royal Ascot (1m4f) and second off this mark at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f) have shown his effectiveness in top handicaps elsewhere for his current yard.
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

15:10 Goodwood

Naqeeb

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

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

OUR TIP

Form: 2-4551 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Progressive in 2024 and better still this term, winning tidily in a six-runner race at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last time; up another 5lb, with further improvement needed, but he looks a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Mount Atlas

9st 5lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Close Listed third here (1m6f, good) on penultimate start and got up close home in a slowly run Group 3 over that same C&D (good to firm) on latest; he's never ventured beyond that and it's questionable whether it will suit; also needs a bit more improvement but he's regularly proved capable of that.

15/2

1st

4

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:55 York

Mount Atlas

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

5yo who is an improved performer this season and registered career-best form when a close third in C&D Listed race last time, a neck behind Tabletalk; should be bang there once again.

13/8

Form: 277550

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
One fourth from eight races at York; fifth of 18 in the John Smith's Cup here (1m2f, good to firm) three starts ago was one of his best efforts of recent seasons but well held since; well beaten in the 2024 November Handicap and it's disconcerting that that's his only foray at 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(4)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Austrian Theory

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

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

14:15 Catterick

Austrian Theory

11st 2lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

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

14:05 Newcastle (AW)

Austrian Theory

9st 8lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

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

Non-runners

This Songisforyou

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £132.10
Straight Forecast £156.48
Tricast £995.18
Trifecta £966.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mount Atlas

POSTDATA:

Naqeeb

RP RATINGS:

French Duke

Daily Mail:

This Songisforyou

TOPSPEED:

Champagne Prince

LAMBOURN:

Mount Atlas

D Express:

Mount Atlas

The Star:

Mount Atlas

NEWMARKET:

French Duke

The Guardian:

French Duke

Daily Mirror:

This Songisforyou

Daily Record:

This Songisforyou

The Times:

Naqeeb

Telegraph:

Naqeeb

The Sun:

Naqeeb