August 26 / 17.20 York

17.20

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 1m 2f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Sky Bet Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 60-402

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Horse

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and good to soft; couple of very positive performances at York for new yard this season, catching the eye over 1m at the Dante meeting and nearly landing the John Smith's Cup over this trip (came from difficult position; failed only narrowly) six weeks ago; strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Newmarket

Astro King

9st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Excelled in top handicaps at York and Newmarket in 2023, including with a C&D win in the Cambridgeshire (good to firm; 3lb lower today); however, he only once threatened to hit those heights in 2024 and, after wind surgery, missed all of 2025; that leaves him with a 658-day absence to overcome but his handicap mark has been slashed.

40/1

12th

1

(14)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Astro King

9st 13lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Has a very lofty mark and hasn't been at his best the last twice but he excelled in big-field handicaps last year, finishing second in this (good to soft) and posting wins over C&D (good to firm) and in the Cesarewitch (1m1f, good to firm; off 4lb lower); not necessarily handicapped out of things.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 8-6193 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Useful colt who has York form having finished third in the Acomb at this meeting last year; filled same position in Listed grade at Newbury most recently; successful in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) on sole handicap attempt and is interesting back at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(5)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Chepstow

Oviedo

8st 10lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Alexandra Dunn

Very useful over middle-distances in his prime but was badly out of sorts on AW when last seen in the winter; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekieces; considered if lively in the betting.

20/1

9th

8

(1)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

16:45 Southwell (AW)

Oviedo

9st 5lb

J: George Wood

T: Alexandra Dunn

Started out for this yard last August rated 40lb higher; will find his level at some point but only of interest if backed.

33/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: -10232 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and good to soft; only 1-14 on turf, compared to 4-6 on AW, but is consistent in the main and brings strong recent form; ties in with Astro King on John Smith's Cup running and performed very well in similar event at Glorious Goodwood since; holds solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Haunted Dream

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Won a strong conditions event over 1m1f at Goodwood last year on good to firm but missed the same race last week when the rain arrived; career-best RPR when fourth in 1m2f Saudi Group 2 in February and although he came last to Haatem in Royal Ascot Listed race (second in it last year) in June, getting badly hampered accounts for that; major player if the ground is okay.

10/1

16th

10

(4)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Haunted Dream

9st 5lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Edged out the same owner's Torito for second in this last year and recorded a career-best RPR when fourth in 1m2f Saudi Group 2 (good to firm) in February when last seen; another who has to enter the reckoning.

12/1

Form: 369010 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Perhaps unsuited by soft ground at Glorious Goodwood; sole win this term came at the Newmarket July festival in a race that the Johnston yard has farmed; faces a harder task off this 5lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

Killybegs Warrior

9st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Placed twice in a row in Bahrain earlier this year and didn't run badly when fifth of seven at Windsor in June following a three-month break; could build on that latest run and continues to drop down the weights, but he's without a win since July 2023 and others are more compelling.

40/1

1

(3)

30th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Killybegs Warrior

10st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Well treated on old form but his last win was almost two years ago; two placed efforts in Bahrain (1m1f/1m2f) earlier this year but he returned to Britain with a heavy defeat at Kempton in March; now drops back in grade but he's hard to predict and comes with risks attached after a break.

16/1

11th

12

(12)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Killybegs Warrior

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

Made most when second in this race last year off 11lb higher, the last of only three ventures on AW; that has to catch the eye and he also has a chance on turf form for Charlie Johnston as recent as September; fit from placed efforts in Bahrain for new yard this year and a case can be made.

16/1

Form: 21-802

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
AW scorer last autumn; unable to land a blow at Royal Ascot on handicap debut but fared much better at the Newmarket July festival (1m2f, good to firm; second to Killybegs Warrior) and could well build on that effort; from top stable and retains low mileage; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(13)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Obelix

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Lacks both consistency and recent match practice (absent for 200 days) but holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form; has gained both handicap wins off 2lb higher, including over C&D (good) last July.

25/1

4

(11)

27th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Obelix

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Won a 1m novice here easily as a 2yo when trained by the Gosdens; back off the same mark as when successful at York (7f, good) in July and wasn't beaten far, albeit only eighth of 14, at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) 19 days ago; not ruled out.

12/1

25/1

Form: 51-956

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Scored twice over 1m last season; no progress in 3yo handicaps this term but appeared to be outstayed over 1m3f at Glorious Goodwood latest; combination of return to 1m2f and first-time headgear may spark extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

17:20 Clonmel

Loyal Touch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

Five-time Flat winner is rated 70 in that sphere; beaten 21l on hurdling debut at Down Royal recently; can do better.

14/1

10th

3

4th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 88y

13:35 Down Royal

Loyal Touch

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

One of two runners for yard; five Flat wins when trained in UK; regressive for this yard, though running well at times; could go well on hurdles debut if jumping holds up.

20/1

7/1

Form: 31-442 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft and good to firm; solid performer who has proved consistent in notable 3yo handicaps over 1m2f this term, finishing fourth at Newbury (London Gold Cup) and Royal Ascot (Golden Gates) then runner-up at Glorious Goodwood; form suggests there's a nice prize in him; highly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(6)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Have Secret

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

6yo who is on a career-high mark but he looked better than ever when winning by just over 2l at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last month; close third in this last year (good to firm) and could again be thereabouts.

10/1

1st

7

(3)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Have Secret

9st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won at Redcar (1m2f, good) last November and not beaten far when fifth of 12 at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) last month; could show the benefit of that latest outing today and he's one to consider.

7/1

20/1

Form: 533431 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Regained the winning thread in Class 5 event at Ayr (1m2f, good) two weeks ago; proving consistent and could go well despite racing off a career-high mark upped in grade; runs off a low weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(4)

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Redcar

Innse Gall

11st 2lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Ivan Furtado

Record of 0-4 this term for new yard but was placed under Shay Halton at Ripon on penultimate start and latest race didn't pan out favourably; has slipped to an attractive mark.

10/1

8

(13)

4th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

14:00 Haydock

Innse Gall

10st 13lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Ivan Furtado

Has dropped 11lb below his last winning mark but that was from August 2023; third at Ripon ten days ago was his best result this term but he needs much better than that form if he's to turn the tables on Spartan Times.

16/1

1

(2)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 190y

Class 6

17:33 Ripon

Innse Gall

11st 2lb

J: Mr Shay Halton

T: Ivan Furtado

Has dropped 11lb below his last winning mark, but his abbreviated career since the start of last year (including two starts for this yard) suggests he hasn't been easy to train; needs the switch to a visor to help him get back on track.

12/1

Form: 052600

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Horse

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
On a two-year losing run and far from consistent in 2023; went close in C&D contest at the Dante meeting but is by no means guaranteed to reproduce that effort; duck eggs the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

14th Oct 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:45 York

Maries Diamond

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

led, headed under 3f out, kept on until no extra inside final 110yds

20/1

10th

2

(4)

7th Sep 2023

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 3

19:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Maries Diamond

9st 8lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Ran a cracker from the front at York in May (extended 1m2f) and he turns up here off a 7lb lower mark after some struggles in classy company; ran well in one start at this track and a more positive showing is expected in this weaker race.

14/1

25/1

Form: 2-6996

Last run: 68 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Capable of useful form at two and three; however, badly out of sorts this season; chance depends on whether the combination of wind surgery and first-time headgear prompts a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:08 Cartmel

Masekela

11st 4lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Low-grade Flat performer who joined this yard for £5,000; 25-1 and tailed off in a good-ground maiden at Hexham.

14/1

6th

2

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:45 Hexham

Masekela

11st 4lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

On a long losing run on the Flat but he ran creditably when last seen, finishing second at Redcar (1m2f, good; final outing for Tim Easterby) in October; changed hands for £5,000 soon after; going hurdling rather late but not without hope.

10/1

4

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Redcar

Masekela

11st 1lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Tim Easterby

Runner-up in similar event at Ripon in August and has place claims if back to that form; far from certain to go one better, however, with losing sequence stretching back four years.

13/2

11/1

Form: -06122 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Scored at Chester (good) in June and runner-up in both outings since, latest over C&D (good to soft) behind a subsequent winner; goes into a much bigger field but can't be dismissed in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Box To Box

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

Has record of 4-10 at Chester and he won this race in 2023; no joy in Bahrain last winter and has mixed record since returned to Britain but he won at Haydock (1m2f, good) in June and was only just caught at Chelmsford last time; remains feasibly treated on his best form and he's respected back at this track.

4/1

8

(2)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Box To Box

8st 11lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Hugo Palmer

Ended a long losing run when scoring off a reduced mark at Haydock (1m2f, good) in June but he dropped right out in his follow-up bid there two weeks later; now drops back in trip but he's not easy to predict and has had only three AW runs in his 42-race career; others preferred.

13/2

12th

9

(16)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 175y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Box To Box

8st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Hugo Palmer

Snapped a long losing run and capitalised on a reduced mark over 10.4f here (good) a fortnight ago; enjoyed the run of the race in front and it might be the case this longer trip stretches him nowadays, but he did it nicely last time and remains well treated on old form back up 6lb; not discounted.

20/1

12th
16 (17)
Eeetee

25/1

Form: 101666 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Most recent win came at Redcar in May; consistent form since but was only midfield in those races, latest over C&D, and needs to raise his game; faces a stiffer assignment back up in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(5)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Ripon

Eeetee

9st 5lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

Two wins at Redcar (1m, good to firm/good to soft) last summer, the latest off today's mark; however, it was a tame end to the season and this 8yo needs to get back on track on his reappearance.

50/1

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Eeetee

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: John Wainwright

Has gained all wins on turf, mostly at Redcar; has gone off the boil since last success and this return to AW seems unlikely to help, with record in this sphere far from solid.

20/1

12

(13)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 2

16:30 Redcar

Eeetee

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: John Wainwright

Showed his liking for Redcar with C&D wins in June and July; things haven't gone to plan since but he met trouble here in August and a heavy defeat last time came in the Legends race at Doncaster; not inconceivable he'll bounce back.

20/1

33/1

Form: 30-860 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Held by a couple of these rivals on John Smith's Cup running here last time when 150-1; again can be opposed on the balance of this year's form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(4)

29th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 2

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Postmark

8st 12lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Anthony Charlton

led, headed and raced in second after 2f

14/1

3rd

3

(2)

14th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Postmark

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Anthony Charlton

The handicapper was in command on the Flat this summer and although his latest hurdle second (October) was respectable, he will need to raise his game to win here.

14/1

2nd

4

17th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:00 Huntingdon

Postmark

11st 9lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Milton Harris

in touch with leaders, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, no match for winner

15/2

20/1

Form: 8-5047

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Good second over 1m4f at this meeting 12 months ago but was in better form at the time; less appealing on 2023 results and beaten in lower grade when dropped back to 1m2f on penultimate run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(8)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Newbury

Thundering

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

Two wins from 24 starts; heavy defeats in four of seven races this term but also now placed in three of his last four; more to prove on soft or heavy.

8/1

2nd

5

(8)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

17:05 Newcastle (AW)

Thundering

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

held up in rear, smooth headway on outer over 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on

7/1

Non-runners

Certain Lad, Gaassee, Symbol Of Light, If Not Now

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.40
Straight Forecast £21.63
Tricast £63.54
Trifecta £106.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

Astro King

SPOTLIGHT:

Have Secret

The Times:

Masekela

RP RATINGS:

Certain Lad

Daily Record:

Oviedo

NEWMARKET:

Haunted Dream

The Guardian:

Innse Gall

TOPSPEED:

Marie's Diamond

D Express:

Have Secret

The Star:

Have Secret

Daily Mail:

Masekela

LAMBOURN:

Astro King

Daily Mirror:

Astro King

The Sun:

Astro King

Telegraph:

Certain Lad