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

6th

5

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.

33/1

12th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Three wins at this track but he came 13th in this race last year; that was his only appearance over this long a trip and he was also below form when he had a crack at 1m6f, so he's unproven beyond 1m4f, over which he's contested his last nine starts; stamina is the big doubt.

16/1

4th

7

(12)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Asgards Captain

8st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Track regular who finished third in this race (good to soft) in 2024 and stayed on from the rear to be fourth in last year's edition; also won last season's Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) and got back in the winning groove when taking Newmarket handicap three weeks ago; latter success puts him on a career-high mark but he's unlikely to be far away.

11/1

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

13th

14

(3)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Insanity

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

C&D winner who mostly ran well last season and did so again when second at Pontefract (1m2f) on reappearance this April; each-way chance if he can avoid trouble from an inside stall.

25/1

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

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

11th

8

(22)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

French Duke

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Sixth and eighth off lower marks in 1m4f handicaps at the last two Royal Ascots (good to firm) for Roger Varian; won over 1m4f at Meydan in January on debut for new trainer, followed by a lesser show at Abu Dhabi in February; usually a free-going sort, so he's likely to bide his time in rear before trying for a late challenge; most form suggests he won't succeed with it.

14/1

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

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

18

(18)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Zanndabad

8st 13lb

J: N G McCullagh

T: A J Martin

Two novice hurdles last autumn seem a pretty meagre return for respected yard but he was an unlucky, strong-finishing third in the 2024 Chester Cup; glimpses of that Flat ability on occasions since, but he made inroads far too late from out the back in this last year (11th at 13-2) and it was a similar story in last month's Chester Cup (8th at 11-1); something needs to change and such a wide draw probably means he tries to come from the back again.

14/1

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

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

9th

3

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Chillingham

10st 6lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Micky Hammond

Awarded this race last year when also ridden by Becky Smith, and 6lb lower this time around; can't be totally written off but he's gone the wrong way over the last 12 months and was well beaten at 100-1 here last month.

5/1

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

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

1

23rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

19:15 Newton Abbot

Marhaba The Champ

11st 12lb

J: Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

Refused to race on the Flat last month and again looked unenthusiastic on recent handicap hurdle debut here (2m1f, good), albeit he eventually made headway into sixth (behind Warfleet); remains a risky option.

16/1

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

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

5th

6

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:27 Ascot

Naqeeb

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Won a 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood (good to soft) last September; built on reappearance fifth to Jonquil and Holloway Boy in a Listed race over the straight 1m here when narrowly denied a second 1m2f Goodwood Listed success seven weeks ago; more needed at this level and his peak RPRs have been achieved over longer trips.

33/1

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

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

1st

4

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:55 York

Mount Atlas

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

5yo who is an improved performer this season and registered career-best form when a close third in C&D Listed race last time, a neck behind Tabletalk; should be bang there once again.

13/8

3rd

4

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

5yo who has been an improved performer on his two starts this season, going close behind Al Qareem at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft; Listed, same terms today) then runner-up in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester (13.3f, good) in which Al Qareem flopped; he's firmly in calculations.

3/1

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

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

8th

8

(9)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 4

17:05 Carlisle

Austrian Theory

9st 6lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Not the force of old but, after a couple of modest efforts, his latest fifth of 18 at York (10.5f, good; first-time cheekpieces) was a step back in the right direction; shaped as though this stiffer test might suit on that occasion so interesting to see if the headgear works a second time for in-form yard.

16/1

5th

12

(15)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:18 York

Austrian Theory

9st 3lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Not the best of strike-rates and not been in top form this year; cheekpieces now tried but has a tricky draw to overcome; well handicapped now.

20/1

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

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