August 22 / 13.50 York

13.50

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £61848
  • 1m 3f 188y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV
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Sky Bet Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.35
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 140375 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Clearcut win off 4lb lower at Epsom (1m4f, good) in April and creditable third at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) in July; made late headway, 1l behind Insanity, when fifth in the muddling 1m4f Shergar Cup race at Ascot 13 days ago, shaping as if in form; considered each-way given that this race looks less competitive than usual.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

14:32 Newmarket

Asgards Captain

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Dylan Cunha

Did well to win at York (good to firm) off just 1lb lower in August but only fourth of five in the Great Metropolitan at Epsom (also 1m4f, good, Topteam behind) 17 days ago; that was a shade underwhelming given he'd won the race in 2025 but was a little weak in the market so maybe better can be expected this time.

12/1

4th

3

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:50 Epsom

Asgards Captain

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Last year's winner (good) who ran well in two other appearances over C&D; did well to win at York (1m4f, good to firm) under John Egan in August and arrives here fit after three creditable efforts at Meydan; firm contender.

4/1

3rd

4

(2)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 12lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Had a busy 12 months but right on the money when staying on best last time at York (1m4f) and this stiff finish will suit him well, as it has done before; only 3lb higher.

5/1

2nd
4 (8)
Insanity

7/1

  • Place: £2.25

Form: 0-6103 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Disappointing in his two starts at York, latterly in this race last year; back to his best on two of his last three outings when winning at Ayr (1m5f, good) in June and close third in a Shergar Cup race at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) 13 days ago; contender if the form is transferred to York this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(9)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Insanity

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Soundly beaten on final run last term but on heavy ground, and it was a campaign in which he frequently ran really well, going close off this mark at York (1m2f, good) in October; won on his reappearance in 2024; respected.

11/2

4

(5)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Insanity

9st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Alan King

Won at Ayr (1m5f, good) in June and has run really well in defeat over 1m4f (good to firm) on his last two starts, most recently beaten a neck here; this progressive 5yo could give another good account although the drop back in trip may well prove to be a negative.

6/1

2nd

4

(8)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

Insanity

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Disappointing in his two starts at York, latterly in this race last year; back to his best on two of his last three outings when winning at Ayr (1m5f, good) in June and close third in a Shergar Cup race at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) 13 days ago; contender if the form is transferred to York this time.

7/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 612-80 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won in a hood (kept since) over 1m4f at Glorious Goodwood last July; never-nearer eighth when racing a bit freely at Royal Ascot on 2025 reappearance and although he settled better when trying 1m6f back at Goodwood three weeks ago, his progress from the back 3f out proved very short-lived; returns to 1m4f and, having been among the market leaders for both those races this term, there's a feeling of unfinished business with this lightly raced 4yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(9)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

French Duke

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Won in a hood (kept since) over 1m4f at Glorious Goodwood last July; never-nearer eighth when racing a bit freely at Royal Ascot on 2025 reappearance and although he settled better when trying 1m6f back at Goodwood three weeks ago, his progress from the back 3f out proved very short-lived; returns to 1m4f and, having been among the market leaders for both those races this term, there's a feeling of unfinished business with this lightly raced 4yo.

9/2

10th

8

(13)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Goodwood

French Duke

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Settled better in a hood (kept since) when winning over 1m4f at this meeting last year; good second at Ascot (1m4f, soft) in September and denied a prep run before his never-nearer eighth of 18 when racing a bit freely at Royal Ascot (1m4f; still second favourite) six weeks ago; new trip looks interesting (if he settles) and so does last year's peak form.

4/1

8th

12

(15)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

French Duke

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

Plenty went wrong when sixth in C&D handicap for 3yos at Royal Ascot 2024; held up again for two big 1m4f handicaps afterwards as 3yo when settling better in a hood and duly raising his game for a win at Glorious Goodwood (good to firm) and second here (soft); gelded since; "a little hiccup" denied him the prep race for this which his trainer wanted but this lightly raced 4yo has been relentlessly progressive so far.

13/2

12/1

Form: 366-70

Last run: 55 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
No win since 2022 in his French days but his close, strong-finishing third off today's mark in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good to firm) last May was unlucky considering where he had to come from; he's not quite lived up to that, best results since when second twice over hurdles, including latest start, and none of his races since leaving France have been over less than 1m6f, so this trip gives him a major question to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Zanndabad

8st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: A J Martin

An unlucky, strong-finishing third in this race in 2024 (good to firm; his only run here) and has a 1lb lower mark today; flickers of that ability on occasions since, though had to have his sights lowered for two hurdle wins last autumn; tailed off at 40-1 in a Grade 1 novice hurdle four weeks ago, after a winter break, and could be more interesting this time.

12/1

10th

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Zanndabad

11st 7lb

J: Daniel King

T: A J Martin

Won four-runner handicap at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) last October and followed up in a warm Newcastle novice (2m6f, good to soft), again with plenty in hand; he's useful on the Flat and could have more to offer in this code now things have started to click, but such improvement is necessary.

33/1

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 3

16:41 Sedgefield

Zanndabad

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: A J Martin

No win since 2022 in his French days but some good runs in defeat in big Flat handicaps, including last year's Chester Cup and a 1m4f race at York this August; he's a rather frustrating 0-9 over hurdles, with four seconds including on three of his last four attempts, but this is a drop in class.

15/8

Form: 1-1460 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a Listed win from the front) whereas 0-7 on turf; he now has a 10lb lower turf mark and managed sixth of 16 at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) on penultimate start, but that's easily his best turf form; gelded since a poor show on latest outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Champagne Prince

8st 13lb

J: George Wood

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Superior on AW but handicapped accordingly and he was a promising fifth over 1m4f here (good to firm) in August, when he raced wide early and was in the lead at the furlong pole; again faded when last of five in Listed race at Chester last time (1m4f, good to soft; tough task at weights) and this drop back in trip could prove ideal; drawn low and one to consider seriously.

9/1

2

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Champagne Prince

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a 1m4f Listed win from the front last December) whereas 0-8 on turf; has shown easily his best turf form in two of his last three starts (gelded before latest) but much better is seemingly required today.

33/1

5th

6

(10)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

Champagne Prince

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a Listed win from the front) whereas 0-7 on turf; he now has a 10lb lower turf mark and managed sixth of 16 at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) on penultimate start, but that's easily his best turf form; gelded since a poor show on latest outing.

9/1

Form: 0-0167 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Made up a lot of late ground when second in amateurs' event over C&D (good to firm) in June and awarded it because of whip misuse on the first past the post; first-time visor that day, kept since when he didn't get the best of runs at Haydock and never figured in a muddling race back at York; each-way chance assuming this is a more strongly run race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

8

(12)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:55 York

Chillingham

9st 2lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Promoted to first in 1m4f handicap here (good to firm) last June and he races off 2lb lower today; however, he wasn't at his best last year on his final few runs for Edward Bethell, and failed to threaten over hurdles in the winter on his first two starts for this yard; may be best watched.

50/1

5th

4

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 3

13:45 Doncaster

Chillingham

11st 2lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Micky Hammond

Talented on the Flat and open to improvement on second hurdle start; however, he was about 14l behind Minstrel Knight when sixth at Wetherby (2m, soft) last month and may be of greater interest when back in headgear.

16/1

25/1

Form: 48-792 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won twice on good to firm at York in 2023, latterly in this race; 3lb lower today, having mostly disappointed since, but he went down by a neck off another 4lb lower at Doncaster (1m2f) seven weeks ago; left Kevin Ryan's for 8,000gns five days later and needs this to be another of his good days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Marhaba The Champ

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

Largely disappointing for this stable under both codes and, after a brief respite on the Flat at Newbury in April, he refused to come out of the stalls at York last month, both times in this headgear; best hurdle effort when runner-up at Newcastle (2m1f, good) in October offers some hope on handicap switch, but current form is a clear concern.

11/2

7

(14)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Marhaba The Champ

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Sophie Leech

Formerly useful for Kevin Ryan but was sold last July and has been comfortably held since on the Flat and over hurdles; this tongue-tie (tried once in 2023) returned on latest outing, along with first-time hood; 17lb below his peak mark, but no win since he scored twice at York in 2023.

33/1

9th

5

(16)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Newbury

Marhaba The Champ

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Sophie Leech

Formerly useful on the Flat for Kevin Ryan but was sold last July and has been comfortably held since on the Flat and over hurdles; tongue-tie (tried once in 2023) returns, plus first-time hood.

50/1

11/2

Form: -65382 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Had excuses for his two performances here this season but they were clearly his worst results this year and he was well below form in his two visits to York last term; that prompts a lingering concern but this season's third at Royal Ascot (1m4f) and second off this mark at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f) have shown his effectiveness in top handicaps elsewhere for his current yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Naqeeb

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Performed well twice over C&D last term but had the run of the race when belying his 33-1 odds for neck success at Listed level in September (good to soft) and looks no certainty to defy a 3lb penalty back here, unless things again fall his way.

12/1

5th

3

(1)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Naqeeb

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Has raced as far as 2m1f in 2024 and never shorter than 1m2f; third at last year's Royal Ascot came over 1m4f but he broke a losing sequence when diverted from top handicaps to a 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood last September; the prospect of 1m now doesn't seem so ridiculous but a career best is needed.

16/1

1st

4

(4)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Naqeeb

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

On a two-year losing spell and is 0-6 for current yard; still capable of very useful form, having been placed in handicaps at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood this summer; however, this seems a harder task.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-4551 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Progressive in 2024 and better still this term, winning tidily in a six-runner race at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last time; up another 5lb, with further improvement needed, but he looks a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(7)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Close second in Listed events at Chester (12.5f) last September and Musselburgh (1m6f) on reappearance, latter behind Al Qareem who gave 5lb and is now better off; further behind that opponent when fifth of six in this race last year; needs a personal best.

25/1

2nd

3

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Had a very solid campaign last season bar one blip (front-running was blamed); all but one of those races was at 1m4f, with a creditable fifth of six thrown in over the extended 1m5f at Chester in May (Group 3) but there is a bit for him to prove on this first foray over 1m6f.

4/1

4th

5

(2)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Mount Atlas

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Maiden win in 2024 was his only run on soft, unraced on heavy; ran a shocker at York (front-running was blamed) on penultimate start in what has otherwise been a solid campaign, including when beaten half a length by Hamish in 1m4f Listed race at Chester last time; the winner, however, also gave him 3lb that day, helping to show that this 4yo needs improvement.

10/1

Form: 277550

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
One fourth from eight races at York; fifth of 18 in the John Smith's Cup here (1m2f, good to firm) three starts ago was one of his best efforts of recent seasons but well held since; well beaten in the 2024 November Handicap and it's disconcerting that that's his only foray at 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

Austrian Theory

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Tim Easterby

On a losing run and went backwards from C&D reappearance fifth to Spioradalta when well held at Hamilton a fortnight ago; on a career-low mark but need to see more.

14/1

9th

3

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

19:50 Hamilton

Austrian Theory

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Tim Easterby

On a losing run but he wasn't disgraced on his reappearance when fifth of ten in 1m2f Ripon handicap 29 days ago; this course winner can't be ruled out.

13/2

Non-runners

This Songisforyou

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £132.10
Straight Forecast £156.48
Tricast £995.18
Trifecta £966.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mount Atlas

POSTDATA:

Naqeeb

RP RATINGS:

French Duke

Daily Mail:

This Songisforyou

TOPSPEED:

Champagne Prince

LAMBOURN:

Mount Atlas

D Express:

Mount Atlas

The Star:

Mount Atlas

NEWMARKET:

French Duke

The Guardian:

French Duke

Daily Mirror:

This Songisforyou

Daily Record:

This Songisforyou

The Times:

Naqeeb

Telegraph:

Naqeeb

The Sun:

Naqeeb