13.30
HeavySkill Step Group Handicap
- Prize money: £25770
- 0m 5f 3y
- Class 2
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly sunny
12/1
Form: 177255 D BF
Last run: 7 days
W: 9st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 10 (2) |
29th Aug 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 3 |
9st 1lb |
All ten wins at 5f; last scored just over a year ago on good to firm but he's got plenty of form on a softer surface and ran well when runner-up in Epsom's "Dash" in June; also performed with credit at Glorious Goodwood and could be the type to bounce back from a lesser effort at Pontefract a fortnight ago; having just his second outing here since winning a C&D novice back in 2021. |
5/1 |
|
6th 6 (8) |
16th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 5f 3y Class 2 |
9st 0lb |
Twice went close in June (5f, good to soft) and he ran well once more when close seventh of 23 at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good) last time; could be in the shake-up. |
7/1 |
|
7th 21 (9) |
28th Jul 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
8st 8lb |
Two no-shows at Goodwood were at this meeting in 2023, including this race; however, provided the track doesn't pose any problems, he could be interesting after strong finishes in the Dash at Epsom and last time at Chester where a slow start was the last thing he needed; he should be coming home to some effect. |
14/1 |
16/1
Form: 691188 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 7lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 (9) |
25th Oct 2025 Heavy 0m 5f 3y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Never a threat after a slow start in the corresponding race 12 months ago; as good as ever when winning at Sandown and Ascot (came from well back) in August/September and two subsequent defeats excusable (ground/Listed race); 3-8 on soft or worse but might be better suited by a stiffer finish. |
16/1 |
|
8th 12 (5) |
4th Oct 2025 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 1 |
8st 12lb |
At least as good as ever this year, winning handicaps at Sandown (5f, soft) and over C&D (good to soft) in September; found things happening too quickly at Haydock last Saturday and she's in deeper today, but she does go really well at Ascot and the more rain that falls the better. |
16/1 |
|
3 (2) |
27th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
Likeable mare with eight wins to her name, including at Sandown (5f, soft) and Ascot (5f, good to soft) in the last four weeks; impossible to rule out but she's gone up 13lb in total for those successes and she'll need a career best to complete the hat-trick. |
100/30 |
12/1
Form: 19-640 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (1) |
25th Oct 2025 Heavy 0m 5f 3y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Had some useful form last year, including on soft, but he has yet to find his best in three runs in a truncated 2025 campaign; 9lb lower than when midfield in this race last year; others look safer. |
12/1 |
|
4 (2) |
11th Oct 2025 Good 0m 6f 0y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Progressive last season when his two successes included the 3yo Dash on Derby day; missed the first half of this season and might have needed his first two runs back, never-dangerous fourth of ten at Haydock on latest; raced only at 5f but may now be ready for this step up in distance; still relatively low mileage and not ruled out. |
20/1 |
|
1 (7) |
27th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Progressive for Gemma Tutty last season, winning the 3yo Dash on Derby day and posting a personal best when beating nine rivals in this contest (just 1lb higher today) 12 months ago; weak in the market and might have needed the run after over ten months off when only sixth of eight here on reappearance; big player if building on that. |
7/1 |
4/1
Form: 005332 D BF
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 6lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 94
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 (8) |
29th Aug 2026 Good 0m 5f 10y Class 4 |
9st 12lb |
Both wins over 5f; has a hold up style which dictates that he needs things to fall right but he's now 8lb lower than when second to Roach Power at Ascot (5f, soft) last autumn and he didn't run too badly in a series final at Windsor (6f, good to firm) 19 days ago; considered with Roger Teal among the winners. |
6/1 |
|
7th 8 (8) |
10th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 12y Class 2 |
9st 0lb |
Both wins over 5f; stays further, having finished better than anything when third of 21 in the Portland at Doncaster (extended 5f, good) last September but this is only his second run in a 6f turf handicap (faded in the first of them) so still has stamina to prove. |
12/1 |
|
4th 2 (4) |
10th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 5f 0y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Of interest from a handicapping perspective, 3lb lower than when a close third in last season's Portland at Doncaster (5.6f, good); not beaten far into fifth at Windsor 18 days ago; not easy to win with but likely to give a good account. |
13/2 |
10/1
Form: 071109 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 5lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (4) |
29th Aug 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Back to form when taking advantage of a reduced mark at Hamilton (5f, good to soft) in June; well beaten at Chester (6f) next time but good ground offers a plausible excuse and this stiff 5f will suit; confidence would increase with every drop of rain. |
7/1 |
|
9th 3 (6) |
27th Jun 2026 Good 0m 6f 17y Class 3 |
9st 13lb |
Back to form to take advantage of a reduced mark at Hamilton (5f, good to soft) ten days ago; put back up 8lb and has gained all six wins on going softer than good. |
11/4 |
20/1
Form: 520006
Last run: 28 days
W: 9st 2lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 1 (11) |
21st Aug 2026 Good 0m 5f 7y Class 3 |
10st 1lb |
Best form has been on AW, with a career high at Newcastle in January (5f); 0-12 on grass and well down the field in a Class 2 at Glorious Goodwood latest. |
12/1 |
|
19th 8 (14) |
28th Jul 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
All three wins and best form have been on the AW, delivering a career high at Newcastle in January (5f AW); lower turf mark sees him 2lb higher here but he is 0-11 on grass and lacks a recent run. |
50/1 |
|
1st 3 (6) |
24th Jan 2026 Standard 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
8st 10lb |
Strong 6f form here until a disappointing run eight days ago, tanking through the race but finding little off the bridle; should be fine back at 5f and he remains on a dangerous mark. |
7/2 |
15/2
Form: 502221 D
Last run: 7 days
W: 9st 0lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 (1) |
29th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 13lb |
Versatile ground-wise; particularly effective on downhill tracks and was a ready winner over this C&D in May before having an awkward passage in 6th of 23 at the big meeting here in July; front-running at York didn't come off ten days ago but he has to be of interest on the earlier form. |
11/2 |
|
20th 6 (1) |
19th Aug 2026 Good 0m 5f 89y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Better than ever this year following a gelding operation, winning at Goodwood (5f, good) in May and running with credit at Epsom (the Dash) and Glorious Goodwood since; should give his running but might find one or two better treated today. |
8/1 |
|
6th 3 (5) |
28th Jul 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Progressive front-runner who was denied late on in the Dash at Epsom (5f, good to soft; has won on good to firm) in early June; he'll give backers a run for their money but could again be picked off where it matters. |
6/1 |
12/1
Form: 031231 C
Last run: 18 days
W: 8st 13lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 6 (7) |
20th Aug 2026 Standard 0m 5f 0y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
Stable's quiet year has seen him plummet down the weights and he is now on an extremely tempting mark; didn't run badly at Sandown four weeks ago and he has run well in all three visits to Newcastle; shortlisted. |
8/1 |
|
4th 1 (7) |
23rd Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 5f 10y Class 4 |
10st 0lb |
He won three times over 5f last August-October and is 8lb below his last winning mark; drops back in trip today but he's finished down the field on all five starts this season and has plenty to prove. |
9/1 |
|
9th 6 (8) |
13th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 0m 6f 17y Class 3 |
8st 11lb |
Six-time winner who went close here (5f, heavy) in September; yet to get going this term but there is the slightest suspicion he's potentially running into form; attractively handicapped and not completely dismissed at likely rewarding odds. |
20/1 |
20/1
Form: 805000 D
Last run: 15 days
W: 8st 13lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 8 (9) |
29th Aug 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
Soft-ground specialist but it was good ground he won on when snapping a two-year losing sequence at Musselburgh (5f) one month ago; was found to have bled from the nose that day and subsequently gelded; up 2lb but his 2yo form would make him a good thing off this mark should that signal a resurgence. |
9/2 |
|
1st 3 (3) |
31st Jul 2026 Good 0m 5f 1y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
Useful 2yo; it has been a struggle more recently but he is dropping down the weights and appeals as the type to come good soon; that may coincide with him tackling slower ground though. |
7/1 |
|
5th 2 (1) |
9th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 0m 5f 0y Class 4 |
10st 1lb |
Two wins over 5f on soft/heavy as a juvenile, the second a Listed event at Chantilly; hasn't won since and only seventh of nine on reappearance, but on a fair mark; could go well though stall 1 a slight negative. |
14/1 |
11/2
Form: 833333 D
Last run: 8 days
W: 8st 13lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 (4) |
7th Aug 2026 Good 0m 5f 1y Class 4 |
10st 0lb |
Not that easy to win with (2-27 on turf) but is a C&D winner (good to soft) and has run creditably when third over C&D on last two starts (closely matched with Montezuma on last week's run); a possible |
3/1 |
|
3rd 1 (4) |
31st Jul 2026 Good 0m 5f 1y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
C&D winner; it has been a while since his latest success but he has slipped down the weights and both this year's C&D runs (in deeper races) were encouraging; can go well fresh and a big run is on the cards. |
7/2 |
12/1
Form: 444234 D
Last run: 8 days
W: 8st 10lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 5 (12) |
20th Aug 2026 Standard 0m 5f 0y Class 4 |
9st 12lb |
Made a promising return to action at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in April but two runs since have been underwhelming; on a dangerous mark and there is encouragement for AW on pedigree. |
14/1 |
5/1
Form: 068332 D
Last run: 8 days
W: 8st 4lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 78
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 (3) |
29th Aug 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 3 |
9st 4lb |
C&D winner last spring who has largely been in good nick since cheekpieces went on in May, winning at Haydock (his fourth win there) and also at Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; has never won off a mark this high but he ran well from it at Hamilton last time and soft ground would hold no fears; should be on the premises. |
9/2 |
|
4th 2 (12) |
11th Aug 2026 Good To Soft 0m 6f 6y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
Has won twice this year (both when ridden by P J McDonald), at Haydock (5f, soft) in May and Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) last time, but that was a 0-105 and he wasn't best drawn; drops back down in grade and should have this run to suit. |
10/1 |
Non-runners
Sophias Starlight
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £160.60 |
| Straight Forecast | £138.79 |
| Tricast | £1094.08 |
| Trifecta | £941.50 |