July 12 / 16.45 York

16.45

Good

John Smith’s Stayers’ Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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John Smith’s Stayers’ Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

Form: -28130 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Late-maturing 6yo who posted career-best performance to win Chester Plate (2m2f, good) in May; didn't fire in Northumberland Vase at Newcastle (AW) a fortnight ago but has good record at York and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 32y

Class 4

16:45 Carlisle

Gibside

9st 5lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Course winner but he's yet to hit top form this season and came in a never-dangerous third of five in 1m6f handicap at Thirsk 18 days ago; not easy to make a case for despite a falling mark.

8/1

3rd

1

(3)

24th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:40 Thirsk

Gibside

10st 0lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Eight wins at up to 2m2f and he's versatile ground-wise; his last success was off 5lb higher at Catterick (1m4f) last autumn but he's been out of sorts this season and was tailed off at York last time; now drops back in grade but he needs a major revival.

7/1

8th

5

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 4

15:38 York

Gibside

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Handles most surfaces and his eight wins include two here, latterly over 2m in 2024; last scored at Catterick (1m4f) off 3lb higher in October and after some lesser efforts this season he was much more competitive when third back there (1m6f) a fortnight ago; contender to step forward again and he's considered.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 21-351

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Took her form to a new level at Nottingham (1m6f, good to firm) last month, drawing clear to beat four rivals by about 8l; evidently in excellent nick but recent 7lb rise asks quite a lot of her here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(9)

10th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

17:00 Kempton (AW)

Rock N Roll Pinkie

9st 11lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ivan Furtado

Record of 6-25 on turf but 0-10 on the AW; this year started off okay but after predictably struggling in a Group 3 she's disappointed in a couple of handicaps; needs to get back on track.

33/1

9th

1

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:20 York

Rock N Roll Pinkie

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ivan Furtado

Three wins last summer included two over C&D; started this season in good form but well beaten on last two outings when back to York for a Group 3 and, more worryingly, a 1m6f handicap; off 2lb higher than her last winning mark, she'll have a shout if returning to her best.

12/1

5th

1

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 4

15:38 York

Rock N Roll Pinkie

10st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ivan Furtado

Progressive six-time winner whose last two successes came over 2m here (good to soft/good) in July and September; outclassed in a course Group 3 last month but had previously been running respectably and this return to handicaps will see her in much better light; considered.

10/1

Form: 13-850 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Yet to strike form after three runs for new stable this year but now 1lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) for David O'Meara just under a year ago; usually ridden patiently; revival possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

16th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 5

16:24 Ripon

Churchella

10st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

Won four times for David O'Meara last year (1m6f-2m) but has been out of form for new stable this season and is not sure to be ideally suited by today's drop back in trip; considered only if lively in the betting.

10/1

3

(6)

12th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:45 York

Churchella

9st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Philip Kirby

Yet to strike form after three runs for new stable this year but now 1lb lower than when winning over C&D (good to firm) for David O'Meara just under a year ago; usually ridden patiently; revival possible.

20/1

13

(2)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Churchella

9st 0lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Philip Kirby

Four wins for David O'Meara last year (2m/1m6f), two on Tapeta, and she's on a competitive mark on her best form; the step back up in trip may help but she's not easy to fancy judged on this year's two runs.

40/1

Form: 939113

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with two 1m6f wins last month (good/good to firm), and his subsequent Chester third (2m, good) was perfectly respectable; not yet fully exposed as a stayer and ought to give another good account here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

11

(5)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Curran

10st 11lb

J: Mr Patrick Millman

T: Rod Millman

Two wins since joining Rod Millman, the latest a wide-margin success in a small field at Salisbury (1m6f, good to firm) last month; second at Chepstow 25 days ago; handles good to soft but more to prove if it is slower.

16/1

2nd

2

(5)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Chepstow

Curran

10st 1lb

J: Charlie Tucker

T: Rod Millman

Six-time winner, latterly in comfortable fashion at the expense of three rivals at Salisbury (1m6f, good to firm); strongly considered off 4lb higher; Charlie Tucker claims 7lb, replacing Oisin Murphy.

4/1

1st

1

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 5

20:51 Salisbury

Curran

10st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Rod Millman

Not particularly consistent this term for new stable but his most recent Class 5 attempt resulted in Bath win (1m6f, good; narrowly off 1lb lower) in June; possibilities returned to this grade.

Evs

Form: -11520 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Came good for Mike Sowersby with two 2m AW wins at Newcastle in February/March but was safely held in last month's Northumberland Vase over that C&D and his Flat turf strike-rate is 0-18; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(1)

19th Feb 2026

2m 0f 57y

Class 3

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Weddell Sea

8st 12lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Mike Sowersby

Three Class 5 C&D wins, the latest by a nose on penultimate start; ran respectably in a Class 2 C&D contest (fourth, 16-1) latest; likely to give his best, although others make more appeal.

12/1

4th

11

(7)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:15 Newcastle (AW)

Weddell Sea

8st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Mike Sowersby

Behind New York Minute at Southwell before edging home in a Class 5 over C&D; will do well to follow up in this higher grade.

20/1

Form: 37-928

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Needs to rebound from a disappointing performance in early June but ran big race when close second to Simiyann at Haydock (2m, good to firm; front pair clear) two starts ago and is only 1lb higher here; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

The Crafty Mole

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) in August and at Ripon (2m, good) last month, appearing to idle in front on the second occasion having travelled extremely well; stayed on for fourth at Redcar (1m6f, good to soft) subsequently and the return to 2m could be a strong positive; major player.

9/1

4th

1

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good

1m 5f 218y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

The Crafty Mole

9st 12lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Won in Class 6 on soft and good to soft last year but withdrawn from good to soft on Thursday; first six wins were 1m6f, including at Newmarket this August, and he travelled much the best at Ripon (2m) one week ago before scraping home in front; up 3lb but return to 1m6f is clearly no disincentive and two of his wins last year were separated by only five days; player.

5/2

Form: 074070

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Progressive last year, winning three times (1m3f-2m1f); back down to a good mark now but yet to be placed after six outings this season and his slow starts have become a serious issue; others look less risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(5)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 3

18:15 Pontefract

Letsbefrank

9st 10lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Ridden this season by Lauren Young; won at Musselburgh (1m4f) and Hamilton (1m3f) on first two starts, with a good third at Thirsk (1m4f) next time, all on good ground; shaped as if still in form in a steadily run race on latest outing; this good season (better than 2025) has been over much shorter but he did win this race on good to firm in 2024; not dismissed.

7/2

6th

10

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 2

14:53 Ayr

Letsbefrank

8st 8lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

He's reappeared in rude health this year with wins under Lauren Young at Musselburgh (1m4f, good) and Hamilton (1m3f, good) before good third at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last time; he'll be fine at this longer trip, and also if slow ground prevails; could be bang there.

8/1

Form: 5-5251 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Displayed willing attitude to win tactical, three-runner race from the front at Lingfield (2m, good to firm) last month but contests a much deeper race here and younger rivals look better handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(9)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Goodwood

Russian Rumour

9st 7lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Multiple staying wins on turf and the AW and she's back on her most recent winning mark, at Nottingham (1m6f, good) in May; put a couple of modest runs in June behind her when a close third of four at Lingfield 25 days ago but likely to need more for this.

16/1

3rd

2

(4)

4th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:18 Lingfield

Russian Rumour

10st 0lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Multiple winner but a 9yo now and hasn't been at her best in last two races, beaten 18l at Goodwood and then last of the three at Newbury (both at 2m); on last winning mark if she could stage a revival.

6/1

3rd

2

(1)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Newbury

Russian Rumour

9st 11lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Usually consistent, but her modest effort at Goodwood (2m, soft) last time was disappointing given she does handle any ground; needs to bounce back from that.

5/1

Form: 4049-5

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Led close home to win a novice hurdle in May and returned to the Flat with respectable fifth of 14 at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft) last month; unexposed over this sort of trip on the Flat; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:20 York

Terrorise

8st 13lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won this race last year (good to firm) in good style and has a 1lb lower mark today; 2026 build-up has been far less auspicious than last season's, however, and the first-time visor of latest start is now replaced with a first-time tongue-tie.

20/1

6th

6

(8)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 4

15:38 York

Terrorise

9st 4lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won here (2m, good to firm) in July but an 8lb rise signalled a reversal in his fortunes and he's beaten one horse in both starts this term; nothing wrong with this mark if the visor prompts a turnaround, though.

25/1

Form: 7-2122 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
In-form 6yo who has finished second on both 2m starts since his 1m7f win at Ayr (good to firm) in May; latest 2lb nudge puts him on a new career-high mark but he ought to make his presence felt again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(3)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

2m 0f 32y

Class 5

17:05 Beverley

Marbuzet

9st 13lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Won twice at around 2m in 2025 but he's performed miserably this season and needs to turn a corner.

20/1

9th

2

(10)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell (AW)

Marbuzet

10st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

A two-time winner (around 2m) in 2025 but he's failed to beat a rival in a pair of 1m6f handicaps at Thirsk and Carlisle this summer; needs to take a major step forward.

33/1

11th

9

(11)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Marbuzet

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Won twice in blinkers last season (1m7f/2m); back on a workable mark but made a low-key reappearance in cheekpieces (retained) last month and needs that run to have brought him on.

16/1

Non-runners

Simiyann

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £62.70
Straight Forecast £87.43
Tricast £604.96
Trifecta £812.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Russian Rumour

SPOTLIGHT:

Curran

RP RATINGS:

Rock N Roll Pinkie

The Times:

Terrorise

The Star:

Letsbefrank

D Express:

Simiyann

Daily Record:

Marbuzet

The Sun:

Curran

Daily Mirror:

Rock N Roll Pinkie

The Guardian:

Terrorise

POSTDATA:

Russian Rumour

LAMBOURN:

Russian Rumour

Telegraph:

Russian Rumour

Daily Mail:

Russian Rumour