July 15 / 16.55 York

16.55

Good

John Smith’s Stayers’ Handicap

  • Prize money: £10468
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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John Smith’s Stayers’ Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 011411 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Big improver who made it four wins from his last five starts when staying on well to score over 2m at Musselburgh last time; 3lb higher in this deeper race but he still looks feasibly treated and is versatile ground-wise; major player again in hat-trick bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(6)

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Newbury

Robert Johnson

9st 5lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Tracy Waggott

Not straightforward but his record for current stable features a useful win at Newmarket (2m2f) last September; creditable second (off 1lb lower) in this race last year; place possibilities.

7/1

3rd

6

(6)

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Newbury

Robert Johnson

9st 5lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Tracy Waggott

Not straightforward but his record for current stable features a useful win at Newmarket (2m2f) last September; creditable second (off 1lb lower) in this race last year; place possibilities.

7/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 611-32 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner who is 3-10 on the Flat, with her last win gained at Newmarket (2m, good to soft) in October; still 3lb higher than for that success but she was a clear second behind a well-handicapped rival at Chester (2m, good) two weeks ago and has each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(1)

19th Aug 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Newmarket (July)

Malakahna

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Ian Williams

Came good on Flat last autumn with 2m wins at Ascot (good) and Newmarket (good to soft); more to prove on soft, as her latest start (heavy defeat at Ascot) confirms but she was in good form going into that; usual cheekpieces are replaced by a visor.

10/1

6th

7

(9)

28th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 3

14:25 Ascot

Malakahna

9st 11lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Came good on Flat last autumn with 2m wins here (good) and at Newmarket (good to soft; more to prove on soft); seconds this month at Chester and York confirm she's a big player if the ground is okay.

6/1

2nd

3

(8)

15th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:55 York

Malakahna

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Ian Williams

slightly awkward start, towards rear on outer, pushed along briefly halfway

6/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 622-63

Last run: 38 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
0-11 but runner-up three times on AW, including an eyecatching third over 2m at Kempton on his return last month; still unexposed on turf and he needs a close look back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(3)

5th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

20:47 Kempton (AW)

Sharp Distinction

9st 9lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Lemos De Souza

3-34, with latest win last November on Lingfield Polytrack; shot back to some form when beaten a neck off career-low mark in six-runner race on turf at Leicester (1m4f) on latest outing and he's notched up a few placed efforts at this track, so he's one to consider back up 2lb.

100/30

2

(5)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:30 Leicester

Sharp Distinction

10st 0lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Lemos De Souza

3-33 and has shown little in two runs since switching to current yard; has dropped to a career-low mark but needs to raise his game.

14/1

6

(7)

21st Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Sharp Distinction

8st 9lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Lemos De Souza

Has struggled on AW in recent starts but has dropped back to a winning mark if staging a revival back on turf.

10/1

10/1

Form: 864-52 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Two wins (1m6f/2m) in 2022 and she got right back on track with a close second at Carlisle (2m1f, good to firm) last month; this is a big step back up in grade but is only 1lb higher than last time and she seems effective on most ground; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

29th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

12:30 Kelso

Hellenista

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

midfield, mistake 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out

25/1

6th

7

18th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:29 Wetherby

Hellenista

10st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

held up in rear

100/1

8th

2

(7)

16th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

16:40 Musselburgh

Hellenista

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Beaten on her last 15 starts going back to last June but she's been running well of late in the main and could be thereabouts.

11/2

13/2

Form: 6-6453 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
His last win was at Nottingham (2m, soft) in November 2021 but that was off 2lb higher and he's run some good races this season including when a fading third over 2m2f at Pontefract (good to firm) last time; has possibilities on this drop back in trip and it would be bonus if rain arrives.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(7)

3rd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Newmarket

Land Of Winter

9st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Rae Guest

Won four-runner race at Beverley (2m, soft) in July but out of form since; soundly beaten last time in the Cesarewitch here for the third year running; well handicapped if this proved one of his good days.

14/1

0

26

(11)

14th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newmarket

Land Of Winter

8st 5lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Rae Guest

Well beaten in this race in 2021 and 2022 and even further adrift in the Trial three weeks ago on his only other race at Newmarket; good ground for all three of those was probably not ideal and he'd be well handicapped if this proved one of his best days, but others look more solid.

100/1

Form: 795035

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Bumper, hurdle and chase winner; opened his Flat account when landing a 1m4f AW maiden in December but he's been generally disappointing since and was beaten 9l at Beverley (2m good to firm) last time; mark continues to fall but others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:25 Musselburgh

Punxsutawney Phil

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won over C&D in December and by 16l at Newcastle (extended 2m4f) in February, both from the front on good to soft; disappointing in his two runs in between and again on latest start but he was brought out quickly under a penalty in the latter; visor replaces his usual cheekpieces.

14/1

3

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Punxsutawney Phil

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won at Musselburgh (3m) in December and by 16l at Newcastle (extended 2m4f) last Thursday, both from the front on good to soft; disappointing in his two runs in between but he'd have a huge chance under this penalty if that form from last week (a narrow career best) is repeated.

2/1

3

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

Punxsutawney Phil

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won over 3m at Musselburgh in December (good to soft); rather disappointing in his two runs since and needs to bounce back.

16/1

Form: 04208- D

Last run: 285 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Made a bold bid when a close second off this mark at Thirsk (2m, good) last August but he struggled in his final two runs last season; record now stands at 1-10 and has something to prove back up in grade after 285 days off; cheekpieces removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(1)

10th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

14:45 York

Tendentious

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Began the season with two heavy defeats but he bounced back to form when scoring at Redcar a fortnight ago (1m6f, good to firm; cheekpieces back on); consistency hasn't been his strong suit so no guarantee he'll be in the same form; non-runner at Thirsk yesterday.

2/1

1st

7

(3)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

18:30 Redcar

Tendentious

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Sole win came at Doncaster (2m Class 5, good to firm) in April 2022, although he did also go close at Thirsk (2m) later in the season; bit to prove after finishing down the field in his two outings this year.

20/1

Form: 117-83 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won three of his first five handicaps last summer and last success was off 2lb lower at Lingfield (2m, AW); lost his way with two major blowouts but he turned things around with a staying-on third at Newmarket (2m, good to soft) two weeks ago; that was much more like it and has claims if he can build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

11th Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:20 Sedgefield

At The Double

11st 3lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Adam Nicol

took keen hold, prominent, awkward jump and dropped to rear 1st, detached 3rd, soon struggling

16/1

6th

4

(5)

20th Aug 2023

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 5

16:00 Pontefract

At The Double

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Adam Nicol

Won three of his first five handicaps (1m6f-2m) last summer in these colours when trained by Sir Mark Prescott; a 4l third over 2m at Newmarket in June divides two complete no-shows and it's not clear what to expect.

8/1

8th

9

(7)

15th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:55 York

At The Double

8st 10lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

raced in last, pushed along before halfway, struggling and reminders 6f out

7/1

16/1

Form: 480135

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Won at Musselburgh (12.4f, good) last month but she was only fifth of six in a Class 4 event at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) last week; looks weighted near her best off this sort of mark and she goes into unknown territory on this step up to 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(4)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Sophiesticate

9st 5lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Third in 1m4f handicaps at Musselburgh on her last two starts, staying on nicely on both occasions; drop back in trip on faster ground isn't sure to suit.

10/1

3rd

2

(6)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

16:30 Musselburgh

Sophiesticate

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: R Mike Smith

Last three wins came over C&D; hit flat spot but rallied for third under these conditions last week; obvious claims of turning the tables on winner Gemini Man given she was beaten two necks and has a 4lb pull; 7lb claimer Kyle McHugh enlisted too.

11/4

3rd

6

(2)

22nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

15:45 Musselburgh

Sophiesticate

8st 10lb

J: William Pyle

T: R Mike Smith

A three-time C&D winner for Jim Goldie; much better signs for her new yard with sixth of 11 in 1m4f Hamilton handicap 18 days ago when set a lot to do; well in the mix if building on that here.

12/1

OUR TIP

9/1

Form: 0-5544

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has ordinary strike-rate of 3-45 but she's a generally reliable type who ran into some trouble before staying on well to finish fourth at Newmarket (1m6f, good) last time; could be dangerous on this step back up in trip and she won't mind what the weather does.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

18

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 4f 97y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Single

8st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Not proven over this far (stiff tasks at 2m5f); won at Nottingham (1m6f) in June; not quite so potent in her three runs since and although she's a highly consistent sort, effective at this track, her strike-rate is just 4-50.

33/1

6th

6

(3)

19th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Single

9st 0lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Won six-runner handicap on reappearance at Nottingham last month (1m6f, good to firm; from 3lb lower); however, she's been soundly beaten the next twice and needs to raise her game today.

16/1

8th

2

(3)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:35 Newcastle (AW)

Single

9st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Faces a tough task under 5lb penalty for Nottingham reappearance win (penultimate start) and has not raced on AW for over three years; effectively back on a career-high mark; opposed.

16/1

Form: 745254

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who was recording his 12th win at the track when leading close home over 1m5f last week; able to race off a 3lb lower mark today and he has to be of interest from a handicapping perspective.

5/1

1st

6

(3)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:05 Ayr

Glasses Up

8st 4lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: R Mike Smith

Long in the tooth now and needs to better his recent efforts but was close third off 4lb higher at Hamilton (1m1f, good to firm) in May and is probably better suited by today's trip; can't rule out.

10/1

5th

3

(1)

5th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:25 Ayr

Glasses Up

9st 11lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: R Mike Smith

Veteran who last May gained a ninth C&D win; his more recent form is not so encouraging, though, just fifth of eight over C&D 16 days ago; needs to bounce back.

20/1

Form: /111-5 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 8st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

10

(11)

5th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

15:05 Lingfield (AW)

Kalamity Kitty

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed de Giles

Yet to win this year but there has been a recent upturn in her form, and she would probably have preferred a stronger pace to aim at when a staying-on second behind Fair Dinkum over C&D last month; up in grade today but has the services of Oisin Murphy; shortlisted.

6/1

2nd

4

(9)

18th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

12:16 Lingfield (AW)

Kalamity Kitty

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ed de Giles

dwelt start, in rear

13/2

4th

6

(2)

2nd Nov 2023

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 5

15:20 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kalamity Kitty

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ed de Giles

Won all three races last season but seems badly to have lost her way since an encouraging reappearance in June; leap of faith is required to support her at present.

20/1

Non-runners

Single, Glasses Up, Kalamity Kitty

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.40
Straight Forecast £12.33
Tricast £67.57
Trifecta £76.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Single

SPOTLIGHT:

Robert Johnson

TOPSPEED:

Hellenista

The Times:

Sharp Distinction

NEWMARKET:

At The Double

Daily Mirror:

Malakahna

RP RATINGS:

Kalamity Kitty

D Express:

Land Of Winter

The Star:

Robert Johnson

Daily Record:

Robert Johnson

The Sun:

Hellenista

Telegraph:

Single

The Guardian:

Single

Daily Mail:

Single