May 16 / 18.45 Sandown

18.45

Good To Soft

Heron Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £28355
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
RTV
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Heron Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.00

Form: 2135-4

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Showed further improvement to finish third in Haydock Listed event (1m, good to firm) last September; however, progress has stalled in two subsequent starts, 10l behind Finn's Charm at Musselburgh latest (seasonal debut; wore cheekpieces); bottom of this pack on ratings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

6

(15)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Captain Winters

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Left his previous form behind when winning a Listed race at Sandown (1m, good to soft) last month; beat just three rivals and untested at today's trip, but he's hinted 1m2f may suit and his excellent pedigree (half-brother to connections' Queen Anne winner Triple Time, among others) provides optimism that he has even more to offer; one to consider.

20/1

1st

1

(1)

16th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

18:45 Sandown

Captain Winters

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

Showed further improvement to finish third in Haydock Listed event (1m, good to firm) last September; however, progress has stalled in two subsequent starts, 10l behind Finn's Charm at Musselburgh latest (seasonal debut; wore cheekpieces); bottom of this pack on ratings.

20/1

4th

1

(3)

8th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 2y

Class 3

13:50 Musselburgh

Captain Winters

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Runner-up at Haydock (7f, soft) last June on second start then won at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) before a creditable Listed third at Haydock (1m, good to firm); below par in October when last seen but his illustrious pedigree hints he could be a 3yo to follow; wears first-time cheekpieces.

6/1

Form: 7112-8 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Took really well to blinkers last autumn, winning two nurseries (7f/1m, good to soft) in great style then good second in the Horris Hill (7f, heavy); form dipped in the Greenham on reappearance but may bounce back with that outing under his belt; headgear is again retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

15:18 Doncaster

Greys Monument

9st 13lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Ralph Beckett

Suited by ground softer than good; proved resurgent last time in Redcar Listed contest he'd won a year earlier; on a workable mark returned to handicap level and Jack Dace takes off a bonus 5lb; shortlisted.

13/2

4th

1

(1)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:56 Redcar

Greys Monument

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

Came good in the mud last autumn, winning an Ascot handicap in September and following up in this race; hasn't come close to that level this season, including back on soft ground in that same Ascot handicap four weeks ago, but still no surprise were he to revive in refitted blinkers.

11/2

1

(7)

5th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Greys Monument

10st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Two 7f soft-ground wins last term were kicked off in a similar handicap on the Saturday of this meeting one year ago; followed that up with a Redcar Listed success under Rossa Ryan one month later; hasn't matched that in two starts this term but this tends to be his time of year and he stays 1m; respected down to his last winning mark.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Very promising colt who is unbeaten in two starts, both at Kempton (1m, AW); easily stretched clear in the closing stages on debut, then comfortably followed up in a conditions race that threw up the Heron winners in 2017 and 2021; stable has a good record in this contest; respected with further progress firmly on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(12)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Slipofthepen

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Career started with two AW wins at Kempton, looking the type to develop into a smart sort; hasn't lived up to expectations in two turf events since but perhaps needed the latest one, having been absent for 11 months; lightly raced and can't be written off.

13/2

5th

6

(12)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Slipofthepen

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Career started with two AW wins at Kempton, looking the type to develop into a smart sort; hasn't lived up to expectations in two turf events since but perhaps needed the latest one, having been absent for 11 months; lightly raced and can't be written off.

13/2

13th

3

(12)

16th Apr 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Slipofthepen

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

Absent since being beaten at 4-9 in Listed race at Sandown (1m, good to soft) last May, finishing third of four on his turf debut; however, he went there unbeaten following two 1m AW wins and this very lightly raced 4yo retains considerable potential for his top stable; intriguing contender.

5/1

Form: 1459-1 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Ran well in the Chesham then proved disappointing in last two juvenile starts; bounced back with an impressive win from the front in Musselburgh handicap (1m, good to soft) on reappearance, recording a very useful RPR; that bare figure gives him a leading chance back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(9)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

18:25 Haydock

Finns Charm

10st 4lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Seemingly back in prime form when making all at Goodwood (7f, good) in June but cut little ice in major handicaps on next two outings; sure to appreciate this ease in grade but still has something to prove.

11/2

17th

8

(15)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Finns Charm

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Holds poor claims, having trailed home last of 26 in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot most recently; again incurs a penalty for his Goodwood success earlier in June.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £49.80
Straight Forecast £72.99
Trifecta £83.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Finn's Charm

SPOTLIGHT:

Slipofthepen

TOPSPEED:

Finn's Charm

POSTDATA:

Finn's Charm

The Guardian:

Finn's Charm

Daily Mail:

Finn's Charm

D Express:

Finn's Charm

The Sun:

Finn's Charm

The Star:

Finn's Charm

NEWMARKET:

Slipofthepen

The Times:

Slipofthepen

Telegraph:

Slipofthepen

Daily Mirror:

Slipofthepen

Daily Record:

Slipofthepen