July 12 / 16.20 York

16.20

Good To Soft

George Blades Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 0m 7f 192y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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George Blades Memorial Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

1st
1 (2)
Sisyphean

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 524-17 D

Last run: 87 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Merely mid-division on handicap debut at Newmarket in April (bled from nose) but has had wind surgery since and he showed considerable promise previously, including here and on good to soft ground; could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(8)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:35 Kempton (AW)

Sisyphean

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Richard Spencer

Down the field in Dubai on his stable debut in December (1m1f, good to firm); can go well fresh so a 106-day absence no bad thing; hasn't run over 7f since his debut but he lurks on a dangerous mark and new cheekpieces could give him a lift.

8/1

8

(12)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Sisyphean

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

Four starts at 1m this term have yielded good seconds in competitive York handicaps but his two goes over C&D don't match them; that's enough to put him down the pecking order.

10/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 03-426

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten at Hamilton (1m1f) last month on good ground that should have been fine; however, prior to that he was second to a handicap blot at Doncaster (1m, soft) and could be in the mix if bouncing back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Keep Warm

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Awarded the Pontefract handicap last month in which Valentine Catcher passed the post first; not so good in either run since, the latest at Doncaster on Saturday, and others appeal more.

12/1

8

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Keep Warm

9st 3lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Awarded the Pontefract handicap last month in which Valentine Catcher passed the post first; not so good in either run since, the latest at Doncaster on Saturday, and others appeal more.

12/1

7th

13

(9)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

17:00 Doncaster

Keep Warm

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

All three wins over 6f at Pontefract on good and good to soft, most recently when awarded a race last month, but he was never involved in a higher grade there since and recent 7f attempts suggest others will have the legs of him late on.

20/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 27-1

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Made virtually all to win big-field novice on turf/seasonal debut at Wetherby (7f, good) in June; her attractive pedigree suggests she'll be fine now upped to 1m and she has plenty of potential off her opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(3)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

16:20 York

Tiaraqueen

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

led, headed after 2f

7/2

1st

16

(10)

11th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Wetherby

Tiaraqueen

8st 13lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

ducked right start, made virtually all

11/4

OUR TIP

11/4

Form: 964321

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) in Nottingham handicap (1m, good to firm) last month then got off the mark in Beverley maiden (1m, good to firm; odds-on); unraced on slow ground; he's 4lb higher than two starts ago but was behind a progressive winner and could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(10)

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Ripon

Drink Dry

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

in touch with leaders in centre of group

12/1

11th

4

(10)

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:35 Ripon

Drink Dry

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

in touch with leaders in centre of group

12/1

10th

6

(11)

19th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Drink Dry

9st 9lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Marco Botti

Pretty consistent since cheekpieces have gone on, including winning a Beverley maiden (8.5f) in June; creditable third of six at Sandown (1m) on latest start in August; makes AW debut back from seven weeks off.

7/1

14/1

Form: 516594

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Two-time French winner (5.5f/7.5f) who has posted fair performances in defeat on his first two runs for this yard; however, he needs to find something extra if he's to come out on top today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(7)

11th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Golden Pharaoh

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Ended 2025 in good order and he was a good second over 1m here on his return in January; three heavy defeats have followed and there is likely to be other pace for him to contend with today; drops in class but others appeal more.

16/1

8th

9

(3)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Golden Pharaoh

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Scott Dixon

Has had a couple of close calls over C&D this winter but he's lost his way in last two starts and was tailed off at Newcastle (1m) three weeks ago; has something to prove and he needs a major revival.

25/1

12th

11

(2)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Pharaoh

9st 1lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Scott Dixon

Had been in a consistent vein of form but needs to rebound from his disappointing show when favourite at Southwell most recently.

14/1

Form: 403862

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Early days with this yard and he was second at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) last Wednesday in a first-time visor (now left off); however, he was no match for the winner and is now 0-17 since making a winning debut last June; needs a bigger performance now back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(9)

21st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Bits And Bobs

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Mark Walford

Turf winner for a previous yard; 0-8 for current stable and has posted two duck eggs since returned to AW; not the percentage call.

25/1

11th

7

(11)

7th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bits And Bobs

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Mark Walford

Placed at Musselburgh and Thirsk in July but has finished last on his two most recent starts; hard to fancy.

25/1

12th

8

(11)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

Bits And Bobs

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

Just one win to his name from 21 starts; chance on this summer's best efforts but his last two runs have been over 1m1f and 1m2f and he now drops to sprinting; others are safer.

14/1

Form: 78616

Last run: 9 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Took a big step forward when winning cosily on handicap debut at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in May; disappointing at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) and will have something to prove if slow ground prevails, but he retains potential and is not discounted in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(9)

18th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:15 Pontefract

Georgie Wooster

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tim Easterby

in rear, some headway inside final furlong, never on terms

25/1

7th

8

(9)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

16:20 York

Georgie Wooster

8st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

ran without hind shoes, towards rear

14/1

6/1

Form: 74521

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Went close on handicap debut at Redcar (7f, good to firm) last month and drew clear for convincing win at Newcastle (7f, AW) six days later; unproven on slow ground; could continue to improve now upped to 1m; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(8)

21st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

20:50 Beverley

Titainium

10st 2lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Got back on the scoresheet when making virtually all for a narrow success at Wetherby (1m2f) last month; finished a tailed-off last of five at Nottingham seven days later but that may have come soon and it was an experiment at 1m6f; now drops back in trip and has claims if he can bounce back.

8/1

5th

2

(5)

26th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:07 Nottingham

Titainium

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Has won at 7f and twice over 1m2f, latterly last week when beating his three rivals at Wetherby (good to firm); stays 1m4f but unraced over this far.

2/1

2

(2)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:50 Wetherby

Titainium

9st 10lb

J: Archie Young

T: Grant Tuer

Got back on track when fourth of nine in 1m4f Catterick handicap nine days ago; he must enter calculations off the same mark.

15/8

20/1

Form: 28-9

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Handicap newcomer who has been disappointing the last twice, but he kept on for a good second on his debut at Thirsk (6f, good) last August and could be a contender if tapping back into that promise; watch the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(8)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:10 Newcastle (AW)

Apocalyx

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Chased home a useful sort on debut last August; no progress since and he was well beaten at 100-1 over C&D three weeks ago; headgear off now; not a solid option.

25/1

13th

13

(3)

10th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Apocalyx

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

Three poor runs this summer, latterly in cheekpieces; Oisin Orr, up for three of his five runs, has unsurprisingly opted for stablemate Eminent Jewel.

25/1

7th

4

(9)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 5

20:15 Ayr

Apocalyx

9st 10lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Richard Fahey

in touch with leaders

25/1

Non-runners

Moon Man

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.30
Straight Forecast £21.93
Tricast £43.83
Trifecta £51.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tiaraqueen

TOPSPEED:

Drink Dry

RP RATINGS:

Sisyphean

D Express:

Titainium

POSTDATA:

Golden Pharaoh

Telegraph:

Tiaraqueen

Daily Mail:

Tiaraqueen

The Sun:

Tiaraqueen

The Star:

Tiaraqueen

Daily Record:

Tiaraqueen

The Times:

Sisyphean

NEWMARKET:

Drink Dry

The Guardian:

Drink Dry

Daily Mirror:

Drink Dry