August 20 / 16.10 York

16.10

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £51540
  • 2m 0f 56y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
ITV
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Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 620-24 D

Last run: 123 days

W: 9st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Easily his best Flat run of 2024 was at this track; also ran well when a close fourth of 14 at Musselburgh (again 1m6f) this April and returning to 2m may well suit him; it's striking, however, that his top six RPRs on Flat turf have been delivered on softer than good; cheekpieces (which he's often worn) return and he's tongue tied first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

15:03 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Looked better than ever when third in the Morebattle Hurdle here in February and posted a good third on the Flat at Musselburgh last month; must enter calculations in refitted cheekpieces.

3/1

3rd

1

(11)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Wise Eagle

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Adam Nicol

Won this prize in 2023 and had a fruitful Flat/hurdles campaign last winter before his close fourth in this; while he did not make an impact in either of his Flat runs this winter, latest hurdles form was his best in that sphere; 8lb lower than the 2025 renewal and a case can certainly be made.

13/2

3rd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Wise Eagle

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Runner-up here (2m, soft) last February and back on song when third at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) four weeks ago; he's lightly raced over hurdles and is on an attractive mark judged on his very useful Flat form, but he needs to raise his game if he's to take this.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: -74025

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably on good to firm ground on his first and penultimate turf attempts this season; beaten a neck by Almuhit over 2m in the latter but in just a four-runner race; edging down the weights but others are a bit more persuasive; no win since May 2023 and connections turn to headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:45 Salisbury

Artistic Star

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Without a win since May 2023 and only four ran when second in a 2m Newbury handicap in July; new cheekpieces did nothing for him when down the field at York last time and he now goes in blinkers.

6/1

2

(8)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Artistic Star

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Ran creditably on good to firm ground on his first and penultimate turf attempts this season; beaten a neck by Almuhit over 2m in the latter but in just a four-runner race; edging down the weights but others are a bit more persuasive; no win since May 2023 and connections turn to headgear.

14/1

5th

5

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Goodwood

Artistic Star

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Ran respectably on soft here two years ago; downgraded from Group contests to handicaps for last five outings, running creditably on first and latest attempts this season; they were over 1m6f and 2m, beaten a neck last time but in just a four-runner race; this event is more competitive.

18/1

Form: -51144

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won three (one on good to firm) of her four handicaps; improvement has stalled in Listed race and Irish Group 3 but she came from last to fourth in a steadily run, nine-runner race for the latter over 1m6f, despite hanging right, and that gave encouragement for 2m on today's return to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Santorini Star

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Versatile as regards ground; broadly progressive and versatile mare whose strike-rate is 7-13; last four performances (1m4f-1m7f) were two wins at Group 2 level and second-place finishes in Group 1 races, beaten only narrowly at Longchamp most recently; currently falls short of the standard set by the other female in this field but has a trajectory that bodes well; wears first-time headgear; adds interest.

16/1

1st

7

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Newmarket

Santorini Star

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Upped to 2m for a handicap win at York Ebor meeting (good to firm) last August; tried front-running to positive effect against her own sex over about 1m6f on her subsequent two starts when winning the Group 2 Park Hill at Doncaster (good to soft) and second in Group 1 at Longchamp (very soft); has a form chance on this return but the stayer's mantle will have to be shed.

5/1

1st

5

(4)

11th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Santorini Star

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Unraced on softer than good; fourth when she tried a Listed race and Irish Group 3 this summer, coming from last to fourth in a steadily run race for the latter over 1m6f, despite hanging right; 2m duly proved just the ticket back in a handicap at York three weeks ago, asserting late on; perhaps testing ground will offset today's shorter distance; chance if so.

6/1

Form: 250321 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Fifth in this race in 2023; third of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in June, followed by a creditable second of three at Beverley and a narrow win from off the pace when claimer ridden at Wolverhampton; that's a solid sequence and no problems with trip/ground but he now has his highest mark for over two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

15:23 Stratford

Charging Thunder

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Not at best on the Flat this year (albeit still capable of useful form) and managed only fourth of six when warm favourite for latest hurdle race, at Worcester (2m, good) in May; that said, he's a stout stayer on the Flat and could have untapped potential over this new trip over jumps.

9/4

11th

1

(12)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Charging Thunder

9st 12lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Not in peak form (hurdles or Flat) from last August onwards but it's not forgotten that he was third in the Plate itself last year off 3lb higher.

22/1

4th

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Charging Thunder

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player.

9/4

Form: 074757

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Final leg of last summer's handicap hat-trick was at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f) and he ran well in Listed event on return; not in the best of form in handicaps since, the closest of those finishes coming three starts back when seventh of 20 over 2m4f at Royal Ascot in first-time cheekpieces (kept since but now discarded); others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(14)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Align The Stars

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared at Kempton (2m, AW) in March with restored cheekpieces, which have been kept since; good second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) but he needs to bounce back from a disappointing show at Goodwood five weeks ago.

16/1

6th

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Goodwood

Align The Stars

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

2024 C&D winner who broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared with restored cheekpieces at Kempton (2m, AW) in March; second in valuable race at Newmarket (1m6f) confirmed that he's turned a corner and must remain in serious calculations.

3/1

2nd

5

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Align The Stars

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Thereabouts on occasions in 2025, crept down the weights and broke his losing run in clearcut style when he reappeared five weeks ago wearing restored cheekpieces in the Queen's Prize at Kempton (2m, AW); back up 4lb but showed plenty of bottle in that win and may have turned a corner.

6/1

Form: -43282 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Career-best form this season, beaten a neck by Spirit Mixer in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) in June and another close second at Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) 18 days ago; ran poorly when he tried front-running on penultimate start; up 2lb to another career-high mark, with a slight question about good to firm ground, but he has to be in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

7

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Dancing In Paris

9st 2lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

He hasn't won since August 2024 but ran some fine races last season, including when beaten a neck by Spirit Mixer in this event; 4lb higher today and made a muted reappearance at Epsom three weeks ago but that was at 40-1 over 1m4f on soft; should be more interesting again with that under his belt.

14/1

19

(8)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Dancing In Paris

9st 4lb

T: Ian Williams

Third reserve; soft ground wouldn't have helped when well behind Too Soon at Epsom ten days ago on seasonal debut; had some solid form in strong 1m6f/2m handicaps last season but current mark is a tough one.

33/1

9th

6

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Dancing In Paris

8st 13lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Ian Williams

He hasn't won since August 2024 but ran some fine races in defeat last season, including when second of 14 at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) in August; those efforts have ensured his mark is holding up, however, and he makes his comeback over a trip probably short of his best these days.

14/1

Form: -57215 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Eighth in this race last year on his only visit to York; while his peak form was in 2022, he was virtually at that level when 25-1 winner of the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) in June by a neck from Dancing In Paris; back up another 5lb with arguably more to prove on good to firm these days, including after his fair fifth to Fireblade at Ascot 11 days ago but that was a muddling race at the Shergar Cup; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

5

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Spirit Mixer

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Beat Dancing In Paris by a neck to win this race last year off 6lb lower; also won at Chester in September and two of his three starts this term have been creditable, so he's in the each-way picture.

14/1

10th

5

(10)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Spirit Mixer

9st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

One of three for the yard; won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) last June and has a 4-7 record at Chester, although his two performances in this race were muted (from double-figure draws); reappearance six weeks ago matched his best 2025 form but a bit extra will be needed.

14/1

3rd

3

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Spirit Mixer

9st 13lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last June and bagged a second valuable 2m handicap success of the year at Chester in September; however, disappointing in this race in 2024 on his only race at Kempton and this stage of the season may not be the time to catch him.

7/1

Form: 081-08 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Visits to Britain last year provided a rich haul with wins in the Chester Plate (2m2f, good to firm), Northumberland Vase at Newcastle (2m, AW) and Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, soft); Royal Ascot (2m4f) two months ago was a nightmare as he tried to come from the back, finishing 3l eighth of 20, but it reinforced the view that he has another big handicap in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(17)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Alphonse Le Grande

9st 11lb

J: Sam Coen

T: A J Martin

Held up; a superb 2024 included wins in the Chester Plate, this race and the Cesarewitch at Newmarket; 2025 campaign was initially promising then frustrating, including with trouble in running, but ended up being disappointing; he's back to his last winning mark, but that's having been always behind at 40-1 in the Chester Cup last time; he will surely spark again at some point but it's hard to know exactly when.

10/1

12th

15

(14)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Alphonse Le Grande

8st 9lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: A J Martin

Held up; an excellent 2024 included wins in the Chester Plate on this card (his only run here) and the Cesarewitch at Newmarket; 2025 campaign was initially promising then frustrating, including with trouble in running, but ended up being disappointing; has a recent 1m2f run under his belt and would be competitive off this slightly reduced mark if back on song.

14/1

13th

5

(17)

24th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 100y

19:45 Cork

Alphonse Le Grande

9st 6lb

J: James Ryan

T: A J Martin

2024 Cesarewitch winner was winless in light campaign last year; absent since November and this trip on the short side for seasonal return.

16/1

Form: 172231 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Winner on good to firm of his first and latest starts this season, the latter when seizing the initiative 4f out in steadily run Shergar Cup race at Ascot 11 days ago on his second attempt at 2m (four of these rivals, headed by Almuhit, behind him); raised another 5lb but reliable and progressive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

Fireblade

10st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Dylan Cunha

Made good strides last season and scored twice at up to 2m, latterly at this track (good to firm); shaped encouragingly on 2026 return (1m2f); failed to build on that at Windsor (11.4f) nearly ten weeks later but takes another step back up in trip today; well handicapped if he returns to his best.

9/2

4th

5

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Fireblade

9st 5lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Dylan Cunha

Brother to the top-class Cracksman; made good strides for Dylan Cunha last season (scored twice at up to 2m) and he shaped encouragingly over an inadequate 1m2f when fourth of eight in handicap at Pontefract in April; appeals as the sort to do well in 2026 and interesting now back up in trip.

7/2

9

(4)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:20 York

Fireblade

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Dylan Cunha

Did well last season, including a win over 1m4f in April but he was best later on at about 2m (including at York); reappearance this term was pretty encouraging, considering it was over just 1m2f, and he looks a serious each-way contender.

14/1

16/1

Form: -P4112 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Bar one blip, this 6yo has been a tremendous success story this year since wind surgery; dictated the pace when gamely seeing off the challengers at Newbury (2m, good to firm) in two four-runner races this summer; he couldn't do the same against Fireblade at Ascot 11 days ago, again setting a steady pace, but kept on stoutly to beat the rest and he has each-way claims again in what could be a more strongly run affair this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Almuhit

8st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Faye Bramley

Made most for two game wins in four-runner C&D races (good to firm) last summer, latterly in this race off 2lb higher than today; second to Baileys Khelstar over C&D on latest outing was in just a three-runner race but easily his best Flat effort this year, so he could be on his way back.

9/2

2nd

1

(2)

23rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:05 Newbury

Almuhit

10st 1lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Faye Bramley

Comes into this off the back of winning a three-runner race over hurdles at Fontwell, but he is equally adept on the Flat with two wins in four-runner contests over C&D (good to firm) last summer, including this race off 1lb lower; respected.

7/2

Form: -42857

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Regularly switches between Flat and hurdle races, beaten a neck in the latter sphere on penultimate outing; close second at York in May was easily his most competitive show on the Flat this season but that was over 1m4f and his seventh of nine behind several of these at Ascot 11 days ago failed to prove that this is his trip on the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

15:00 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase last November but pulled up in his final chase and has finished last in two subsequent Flat starts; capable hurdler but hardly returns to this discipline at the top of his game.

25/1

7th

2

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.

12/1

6th

3

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

Ended his time with Adrian Keatley below par last autumn but a winner over fences at Southwell for his new yard before being pulled up at Market Rasen in December; needs to bounce back after a layoff.

16/1

Form: 333073 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won at Ripon (2m) in April in a pretty consistent campaign; arguably has a bit more to prove on ground firmer than good, but he's usually held up and that put him at a disadvantage when third of nine to two of these in Shergar Cup race at Ascot 11 days ago; has a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

Artisan Dancer

9st 12lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20, however, and he was tailed off at Thirsk (good) on penultimate start, before he failed to shine at Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting (AW) for the third year in a row; not the percentage call.

20/1

18th

5

(18)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Artisan Dancer

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and usually dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f; turf strike-rate is 1-20 and he was tailed off at Thirsk last time; back to AW and he's 7-34 in this sphere, but he's not shone at this meeting (16th in the Plate, 12th in the Vase) in the last two years.

25/1

12th

5

(2)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Artisan Dancer

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

Industrious and dependable sort at 1m6f-2m2f but turf strike-rate is 1-19; not discredited on latest start (1m5f) but others are preferred.

16/1

Form: 049-51 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Tenth of 16 in the 1m6f Melrose at this meeting last year; got up close home in a novice hurdle in May and registered his best Flat performance when going on 2f out for a 4l win at this track (good to firm) on latest outing; 8lb higher today (1lb out of the handicap) but that win was his first attempt at 2m on the Flat and he did it in good style.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.20
Straight Forecast £107.66
Tricast £1812.98
Trifecta £2163.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Alphonse Le Grande

The Times:

Santorini Star

Telegraph:

Terrorise

NEWMARKET:

Fireblade

TOPSPEED:

Align The Stars

RP RATINGS:

Artistic Star

The Guardian:

Dancing In Paris

POSTDATA:

Maghlaak

LAMBOURN:

Almuhit

D Express:

Wise Eagle

The Sun:

Santorini Star

The Star:

Terrorise

Daily Mail:

Alphonse Le Grande

Daily Mirror:

Alphonse Le Grande

Daily Record:

Alphonse Le Grande