14.25
Good To FirmSky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
- Prize money: £87618
- 1m 5f 188y
- Class 2
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
16/1
Form: 12274
Last run: 30 days
W: 9st 9lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 (5) |
27th May 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 3f 219y Class 3 |
9st 7lb |
Ready winner on debut last year (1m2f, Polytrack) and ran to an RPR in the 90s each start after; returned from nearly eight months off with lacklustre effort at Ascot and is suddenly best watched; cheekpieces return. |
14/1 |
|
13th 5 (13) |
9th May 2026 Good 1m 3f 211y Class 3 |
9st 5lb |
His progress stalled at the end of last season but returns as a still relatively unexposed 4yo who could kick on again in 2026; betting informative. |
14/1 |
|
13 (9) |
20th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 1m 5f 61y Class 2 |
8st 7lb |
Won on debut at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in January and runner-up in 1m2f novices on next two starts (good/good to firm); hasn't kicked on as might have been expected in handicaps since but he wasn't disgraced when 7l eighth of 12 in the usually strong Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) last time and being eased another 2lb can only help now taking on older opposition for the first time; also wears first-time cheekpieces. |
14/1 |
7/1
Form: 3-1284
Last run: 23 days
W: 9st 9lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 (8) |
2nd May 2026 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Sole win in eight runs was a Chester maiden; best efforts, however, when third in both the 1m6f Melrose at York (good to firm; led over 2f out) and another valuable handicap over C&D (good; finishing strongly) in October; gelded soon afterwards; interesting prospect as 4yo. |
5/1 |
|
3rd 1 (5) |
10th Oct 2025 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 2 |
9st 9lb |
Sole win in seven runs was a Chester maiden; good third in the 1m6f Melrose at York (good to firm) on penultimate start, having led over 2f out; failed to back that up at Ascot two weeks later, when soft ground rather than the 1m4f could have been the issue; one to consider. |
8/1 |
|
5th 4 (3) |
6th Sep 2025 Soft 1m 3f 211y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Sole win in six runs came in a Chester maiden but showed his best form yet to finish third in the 1m6f Melrose at York (when 2lb lower) and expect another positive ride back at 1m4f; something to prove on this slower surface but has form claims. |
6/1 |
4/1
Form: 3121 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 9st 9lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 7 (7) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Won the C&D Melrose Handicap (good to firm) last August, before the St Leger proved too tough; gelded soon after and creditable third in Saudi Arabia (1m7f) in February, but he needs to bounce back with a big career best after his heavy defeat in 2m Ascot Group 3 (9-1) two weeks ago. |
25/1 |
|
8th 8 (8) |
1st May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 7f 209y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Won the Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) last August, before the St Leger proved too tough; gelded soon after and ran well when third in Saudi Arabia (1m7f) in February; runner-up Tabletalk conceded him 11lb that day and it's only 1lb today, but this 4yo should retain potential for 2m+. |
9/2 |
|
7th 7 (5) |
13th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 1m 6f 115y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Five races and highly progressive, winning three; penultimate start saw him take a handicap at Sandown (1m6f, good) from Pendragon, whose next race saw him take second in yesterday's Doncaster Cup; latest start was the prestigious Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) in which his battling qualities were again strongly in evidence and he won on the nod; a promising stayer, for sure, and that's twice he's pulled it out of the fire but the St Leger is a much more demanding task. |
22/1 |
15/2
Form: 421611 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 9st 6lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 (11) |
31st May 2026 Good 2m 0f 13y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Won two 1m6f handicaps last term; back-to-form third with a first-time visor at Newmarket (1m6f) four weeks ago, so he re-enters calculations despite earlier lesser efforts over 2m2f and 2m. |
9/2 |
|
3rd 10 (10) |
3rd May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 2 |
8st 9lb |
Won two 1m6f handicaps last term and two respectable efforts in valuable races in late summer; just 10-1 for 2m2f Cesarewitch at Newmarket on final 3yo outing, which did not work out, and he was just 15-8 when fading into fourth of six at Newbury (2m) 16 days ago on first run since he was gelded; connections now turn to a visor and drop him back in trip. |
10/1 |
14/1
Form: 1-2614
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 5lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 (1) |
21st Oct 2025 Standard 1m 4f 98y Class 2 |
8st 11lb |
Made all when easily beating four rivals at Salisbury (1m4f, good to firm) in June and ran well to finish fourth of nine at Glorious Goodwood (1m4f, good), but appeared not to stay in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm); 1-1 on the AW (Polytrack); dangerous if enjoying an uncontested lead. |
9/2 |
|
5 (9) |
23rd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
9st 5lb |
Easily made all in small-field handicap at Salisbury (1m4f, good to firm) in June and not beaten far when fourth of nine at Glorious Goodwood (1m4f, good); with a leading trainer and further improvement can't be discounted now up in trip, but it's necessary and others have more pressing claims. |
14/1 |
|
4 (6) |
30th Jul 2025 Good 1m 3f 218y Class 2 |
9st 5lb |
Usually a warm order and he's delivered twice; given a forcing ride up front at Salisbury (1m4f, good to firm) on latest start and drew well clear, albeit from only three opponents; up 7lb and more to prove in this stronger race, but he's only once (penultimate start) failed to show improved form. |
9/1 |
11/1
Form: 153181
Last run: 29 days
W: 9st 4lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: 88
| 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 |
9st 6lb |
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 |
9st 2lb |
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 |
9st 3lb |
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 |
10/1
Form: 7-3311
Last run: 30 days
W: 9st 4lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
1m6f Listed winner on Flat who was sold for 600,000gns later in October; flopped at long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh last month; brought out just six days later for Grade 2 at Kempton (again good to soft) where he did better, but was weakening when hampered two out; should get the hang of this discipline in due course, but probably too late to feature in this finish. |
66/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
1m6f Listed winner on Flat who changed hands for 600,000gns last autumn; went off long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) last Sunday but compromised his chance by racing freely/jumping none too fluently and could finish only fourth; it's far too soon to be writing him off but he needs a major leap forward just six days on. |
12/1 |
|
4th 8 |
15th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 124y Class 4 |
10st 9lb |
Progressive on the Flat for Andrew Balding and bagged Listed honours at Ascot (1m6f, good to soft) on last appearance; sold for 600,000gns later in October; withdrawn at Newbury last weekend due to heavy ground; market mover for the Triumph and looks a very interesting hurdles prospect. |
4/11 |
5/1
Form: 9211
Last run: 36 days
W: 9st 4lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (3) |
18th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 1m 5f 26y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
All five starts on good to firm, landing maiden and handicap wins around 1m4f in midsummer; disappointed when stepped up to 1m6f for the strong Melrose Handicap at the York Ebor meeting last month but good chance he can resume his progression back in much calmer waters. |
5/2 |
|
8 (4) |
23rd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Won easily at 2-11 at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) in June on third start and followed up by a head in Newbury handicap (1m4f, good to firm); this is a much tougher test of his credentials and he could do with settling better now up in trip, but he's unexposed and is the sole runner for an in-form trainer who won this in 2019 and 2022; could have a part to play. |
5/1 |
50/1
Form: -39432
Last run: 6 days
W: 9st 1lb
3 yo Filly
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 (5) |
6th Sep 2025 Good 1m 6f 1y Class 2 |
8st 5lb |
Filly who has been campaigned over a variety of distances this season; didn't run badly when ninth of 12 at 80-1 in the Melrose at York (1m6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago but others make greater appeal. |
33/1 |
|
9 (5) |
23rd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Filly who has run over various trips this year, posting respectable efforts in 7f Listed race and 1m4f Group 3 before 7l second of three in Pontefract handicap (1m2f, good to firm) last Sunday; it's possible she'll be suited by this new distance but others have a lot more substance to their claims. |
50/1 |
|
2nd 2 (1) |
17th Aug 2025 Good 1m 2f 5y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Won valuable 2yo fillies' series final at Goodwood (7f, heavy) last September and returned to form with Listed fourth at Carlisle (soft) in June when dropped back to 7f; didn't run badly when well-beaten third of four in 1m4f Group 2 at Haydock (good) last time; has more to prove than her two rivals but she's not ruled out now back in a handicap. |
3/1 |
10/1
Form: 34-11
Last run: 42 days
W: 9st 1lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (4) |
26th Apr 2026 Good 1m 7f 217y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
Won small-field races at Hamilton for a maiden (1m3f, good to firm) last May and handicap (1m5f, good) last July; seriously raised in class when tailed-off last at 14-1 in the Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm; again sweating) last August, but he could be of renewed interest on this reappearance for an in-form yard. |
4/1 |
|
10 (3) |
23rd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
Two runs last year and built upon that promise to win Hamilton maiden (1m3f, good to firm) in May; comfortably followed up in handicap there (1m5f, good) last month; that was in a small field against older horses but the runner-up was a winner either side of that outing and this fellow did it readily; could have more to offer and he's not discounted up 5lb. |
10/1 |
|
1st 5 (5) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 1m 5f 16y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Showed promise in two juvenile runs but he found improvement upped to 1m3f when landing a small-field maiden here (good to firm; first run since gelded) in May; still has plenty of potential and he's an interesting contender now upped to this trip on handicap debut. |
11/4 |
11/2
Form: 2325
Last run: 22 days
W: 8st 13lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (7) |
22nd May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 1f 27y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
0-6 but he has recorded an RPR of 84 or more in each of his last five starts; beaten at odds-on at Doncaster on his reappearance (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; stepping up to a marathon trip could prompt further progress, as could the new cheekpieces; shortlisted. |
2/1 |
|
2nd 5 (7) |
25th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 197y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Shaped well without getting his head in front last season, signing off with a good fourth in the Melrose at York in August; this brother to the Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class has since been gelded and looks a good prospect for 2026; player. |
6/4 |
|
11 (6) |
23rd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
Ended up with plenty to do on handicap debut at Glorious Goodwood (1m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago, having been slowly away (restless in stalls) and hampered at the top of the straight; kept on for an encouraging fifth of 13 and it's unlikely we've seen the best of this brother to Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class; has run well on good ground; interesting up in trip. |
11/2 |
16/1
Form: 3-6224
Last run: 24 days
W: 8st 13lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 83
| 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 |
9st 10lb |
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 |
10st 11lb |
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 |
11st 0lb |
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 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £33.40 |
| Straight Forecast | £28.71 |
| Tricast | £183.20 |
| Trifecta | £280.00 |
Selections
RP RATINGS:
Pole StarD Express:
Fantasy WorldNEWMARKET:
Golden HandshakeTelegraph:
Golden Handshake