May 15 / 17.25 York

17.25

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £14173.5
  • 1m 3f 188y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Sky Bet Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 721-3 BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Edged it in the second of two very close finishes over about 1m on AW in December; failed to justify 11-10 favouritism in seven-runner handicap at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) on reappearance 11 days ago but kept edging closer to go down by a length and 1m4f now seems plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

14:30 Goodwood

Merchant

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Improving colt who has strong handicap form this term and is 2-2 since upped to 1m4f, last time winning at Royal Ascot (good to firm) where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up; very much a Group performer in the making and commands major respect upped further in class.

11/10

8

(20)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

Merchant

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Favourite for his two handicaps this season, both on good to firm and the win was never in doubt through the last 3f at York last time on his step up to 1m4f; 8lb rise demands more from him but he was impressive at York and the form has been boosted; Group 1 King George entry here next month.

11/4

1st

5

(8)

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

17:25 York

Merchant

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Edged it in the second of two very close finishes over about 1m on AW in December; failed to justify 11-10 favouritism in seven-runner handicap at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) on reappearance 11 days ago but kept edging closer to go down by a length and 1m4f now seems plausible.

2/1

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 122

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won debut at Newcastle (1m, AW) in March and runner-up in two more novice races; made most at Haydock (11.6f, good) latest but was picked off by a good prospect in the final strides; withdrawn from Lingfield Derby Trial last Saturday when the ground was officially good to firm; should figure prominently on handicap debut if the ground is suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Rahiebb

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Broadly progressive on a range of ground in his first season last year, despite being 0-6 after debut success; beaten a neck from off the pace in the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f, soft) on final start; that makes him one of the form picks in today's field and, although this trip may eventually turn out to be shorter than ideal, he should be a big player.

7/2

2nd

4

(2)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Rahiebb

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Progressive first five races, finishing bang there with Carmers, Furthur and Scandinavia when third in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and he came from significantly further back than the first two; that's his only attempt at 1m6f and he took his first backward step when fourth in the storm at Goodwood (1m4f Group 3) on latest outing; that can probably be forgiven but he needs to resume his progress.

25/1

11/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 351-15

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Ended last term with a 1m2f handicap win at Newmarket (soft; from Anniversary) and started this one with another at Doncaster (good; Pantile Warrior fourth); both were under Jack Doughty; up another 6lb to this mark when creditable fifth of 12 at Sandown (1m2f, good) three weeks ago, never nearer; 1m4f now looks well worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Many Men

9st 6lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Excellent progress last term included three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) in March-July and an agonisingly close call in the Melrose at York in August; close fourth in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot on final outing; well below that form on 2026 reappearance but that may have put him right.

6/1

4th

2

(6)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Many Men

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Excellent progress included three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) last March-July and an agonisingly close call in the Melrose at York in August; close fourth in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot on final outing; better still is required but his record of improvement demands respect.

7/1

5

(2)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Many Men

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Jim Boyle

Progressing well, including three handicap wins (1m2f, 1m6f and 2m) this season and he went agonisingly close in the 1m6f Melrose at York on latest outing; all 2025 races have been on good or firmer but he won on soft as 2yo; respected for that improvement but plenty more is needed at this level.

6/1

Form: 222-14

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
1-6 for a Chelmsford maiden (1m2f, AW) on reappearance but had to work to land the odds; last summer's form on turf (three seconds) was better but his return to good ground for handicap debut at Doncaster (1m2f) on latest start proved disappointing, leading until over 1f out; a revival is needed but he should stay if he settles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(3)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

Pantile Warrior

9st 1lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

His eight runs have yielded one win, in a 1m2f AW maiden in March; on last two outings he showed he stays 1m4f at York (behind Merchant) and 14.5f at Doncaster (hooded) but he needs to find more and faces a ton of rivals who are far less exposed.

33/1

2

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 115y

Class 2

18:15 Doncaster

Pantile Warrior

9st 3lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

His six runs have yielded one win, in a 1m2f AW maiden in March; improvement is needed but he stayed on well for fourth when upped to 1m4f in a handicap at York (good to firm) last time, and today's extra distance could be right up his street; unraced on slow ground; wears a first-time hood.

11/2

4th

3

(3)

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

17:25 York

Pantile Warrior

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: John & Thady Gosden

1-6 for a Chelmsford maiden (1m2f, AW) on reappearance but had to work to land the odds; last summer's form on turf (three seconds) was better but his return to good ground for handicap debut at Doncaster (1m2f) on latest start proved disappointing, leading until over 1f out; a revival is needed but he should stay if he settles.

9/1

16/1

Form: 21-6

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Made most and won by a neck in a good scrap at Ayr (1m, good) last October in his second novice event; 18-1 when put very firmly in his place in Listed event at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) on reappearance and this handicap debut looks far more realistic, with fair claims to stay the extra 3f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(8)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Last Galileo

8st 11lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Novice winner as 2yo; second in 1m4f course handicap at the end of May but could only manage fifth of six when 15-8 favourite at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) since; up in trip; others are more obvious.

14/1

1

(4)

20th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:25 Newmarket (July)

Last Galileo

9st 11lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: K R Burke

Made just about all when winning an Ayr novice (1m, good) last October and put up his best effort since when second of ten in a Haydock handicap (1m4f, good) three weeks ago (Is I Right and Atlantic Sunset behind); back up 2lb, but subsequent wins by the fifth and sixth give the form some substance; respected.

3/1

2nd

4

(2)

30th May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 3f 175y

Class 4

20:25 Haydock

Last Galileo

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Made most and won by a neck in a good scrap at Ayr (1m, good) last October in his second novice event; however, put firmly in his place this term in a Listed event at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) and handicap at York (1m4f, good to firm; made most) one month later; dropped 2lb.

8/1

12/1

Form: 323- BF

Last run: 199 days

W: 8st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Pedigree suggests strongly that this step up to 1m4f will suit him well and that impression is backed up by his placed efforts in 1m2f novice events on final two outings last season; has raced only on soft or heavy; interesting handicap/seasonal debutant if he goes on the ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Novelista

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Warren Greatrex

Acts on good and heavy ground; won off 2lb lower over C&D for Charlie Johnston last autumn and he ran well over hurdles last month, on his second run for current yard; seems tactically versatile and he's in the mix off a workable mark back on the Flat.

9/2

2nd

7

1st Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

Novelista

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Useful on the Flat for Charlie Johnston, proving reliable and winning 2m handicap at Goodwood (heavy) last autumn (sold for 165,000gns soon after); 9-2, weakened to finish a well-held sixth of ten in Ascot juvenile (2m, soft) on hurdle debut in January; should be capable of a lot better in this sphere.

2/1

6th

8

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 157y

Class 3

12:25 Ascot

Novelista

11st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

Not far off useful on the Flat for Charlie Johnston, proving reliable and winning 2m handicap at Goodwood (heavy) last autumn; changed hands for 165,000gns in October; likely to be suited by longer distances in due course but he commands respect on his hurdling debut even so.

5/1

Form: 9-1113

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Three wins on AW this January/February, latterly on handicap debut when upped to 1m3f at Kempton, but that improvement ran out of steam when a close third of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f) on latest start; needs to resume progress on this second turf outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

30th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Tuscan Star

8st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Three AW wins early in year, latest on handicap debut when upped to 1m3f; came up short over 1m4f in his three starts since, however, two on AW and one on good to firm, and the improvement seems to have run out of steam.

33/1

4

(3)

13th Jul 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 3

17:45 Southwell (AW)

Tuscan Star

9st 2lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Three wins on AW this January/February, the first of which was at the track and the latest on handicap debut when upped to 1m3f at Kempton; latest two starts (1m4f) suggest that the improvement may have run out of steam but he returns to AW now after trying turf at York Dante meeting.

10/1

7th

4

(1)

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

17:25 York

Tuscan Star

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Three wins on AW this January/February, latterly on handicap debut when upped to 1m3f at Kempton, but that improvement ran out of steam when a close third of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f) on latest start; needs to resume progress on this second turf outing.

10/1

3/1

Form: 122- BF

Last run: 204 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden at Newmarket (1m, good) on debut and runner-up on his two other starts as 2yo, latterly to Many Men in a six-runner nursery at Newmarket (1m2f, heavy; gelded since); shaped that day as if 1m4f+ will suit him well and that he's the type to make further progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(9)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Anniversary

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Blinkered on four of his last five starts; flopped when 5-4 favourite behind Elysian Flame at Beverley (2m, good to soft) in April but this month's second of nine at Salisbury (1m6f, good; made most and rallied well) was his closest finish since 2yo and gives some renewed hope.

5/1

2nd

1

14th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:40 Salisbury

Anniversary

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won Newmarket maiden on his debut in 2024 but hasn't kicked on from good juvenile form; fair efforts when fifth in quite valuable AW handicaps in February and March but he proved a disappointing favourite on return to turf when beaten 14l at Beverley (also 2m, good to soft) last month; others hold greater appeal.

11/2

5th

3

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 32y

Class 3

16:00 Beverley

Anniversary

9st 12lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ralph Beckett

4yo who has had only seven races; can race freely but there's still a feeling he could have a bigger performance in him and he shaped quite well under a change of tactics (went from the front) when 4l fifth of nine in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW) 18 days ago.

7/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.20
Straight Forecast £16.57
Tricast £78.57
Trifecta £87.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Anniversary

POSTDATA:

Merchant

Telegraph:

Rahiebb

LAMBOURN:

Tuscan Star

Daily Record:

Rahiebb

RP RATINGS:

Anniversary

TOPSPEED:

Anniversary

The Times:

Anniversary

The Guardian:

Anniversary

D Express:

Anniversary

Daily Mirror:

Anniversary

The Sun:

Anniversary

NEWMARKET:

Merchant

Daily Mail:

Merchant

The Star:

Merchant