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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12 (12) |
17th Oct 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
8st 4lb |
Has an excellent record in this race, with a second in 2022 and wins in 2023 and 2024 (all on soft/heavy); only fifth to Lexington Blitz on good 12 months ago but his second (Lexington Blitz third) in the Epsom Dash (good to soft) shows he's still useful, and he can be made to look well treated on that form even from 3lb out of the handicap; any easing of the ground in his favour. |
9/1 |
|
7th 9 (1) |
11th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 5f 15y Class 3 |
8st 11lb |
Won this race in 2024 when rated 8lb higher; well handicapped on even this year's best, 3lb lower than when second in the Dash at Epsom (5f, good to soft); stall 1 not ideal for one that comes from off the pace and he will need luck in running; big chance if the gaps appear though. |
5/1 |
|
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 8 (9) |
3rd Oct 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Not the easiest to win with but he rewarded strong support when landing a Class 4 handicap at Sandown (5f, good to soft) in August; never dangerous in the Portland three weeks ago but this is more manageable and he finished second in this race last year off a 5lb higher mark. |
14/1 |
|
16th 21 (13) |
12th Sep 2026 Good To Soft 0m 5f 143y Class 2 |
8st 11lb |
Not the easiest to win with but he rewarded strong support when landing a Class 4 handicap at Sandown (5f, good to soft) two weeks ago; back up 3lb but that's less of a concern than the stiffer opposition. |
10/1 |
|
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 |
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 (4) |
17th Oct 2026 Good 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Versatile ground-wise; particularly effective on downhill tracks, including a win in this race on good 12 months ago; below par in recent starts but things didn't go his way at Goodwood last time and he's well treated if staging a revival having dipped to 3lb lower than when third (Vintage Clarets second) of 20 in the Epsom Dash (good soft) in June. |
8/1 |
|
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 7 (11) |
16th Oct 2026 Heavy 0m 5f 0y Class 5 |
9st 7lb |
Down the field at Newcastle four weeks ago but was in a first-time visor and his usual cheekpieces return today; he was in pretty good heart prior to last time and won on heavy ground last October; not discounted. |
12/1 |
|
8th 2 (3) |
19th Sep 2026 Standard 0m 5f 0y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
Well handicapped on his best form last year and he's finished a creditable fourth in last two runs including over C&D; needs to find a bit extra but he's still lightly raced on AW and new headgear could give him a boost. |
8/1 |
|
4th 7 (3) |
13th Sep 2026 Good 0m 5f 3y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Three wins in the second half of last year (various ground; the final one over C&D); he's struggled to get competitive for most of this year but has dropped down the weights and ran well when fourth of 13 at Newcastle (5f, AW) last time; another 2lb lower today and he's one to consider. |
10/1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 4 (8) |
28th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 5f 7y Class 3 |
9st 6lb |
Gelded after Musselburgh success (5f) in July; has remained in form, respectable sixth of 24 in the Ayr Bronze Cup (6f) most recently; still well handicapped on 2yo achievements. |
4/1 |
|
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 |
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 4 (6) |
30th Sep 2026 Good To Soft 0m 5f 1y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
C&D winner; losing run stretches back over two years but he retains plenty of ability and has been performing with credit this summer; likely to be in the shake-up. |
11/2 |
|
9th 15 (15) |
13th Sep 2026 Good 0m 5f 3y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
No win since August 2024; ran well for minor honours on his first three (of four) visits to Doncaster, a close third in this race last year; 8lb lower today but he's not been disgraced this year (repeatedly short of room last time) and makes each-way appeal. |
9/1 |
|
4th 10 (10) |
5th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
8st 9lb |
Losing run continued when fifth of 11 over C&D (heavy; favourite) yesterday, beaten just under 2l; however, one of two handicap wins came over C&D (good; acts well on soft) and he has finished second and third in the last two runnings. |
11/2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 8 (7) |
16th Oct 2026 Heavy 0m 5f 0y Class 5 |
9st 6lb |
He's fully 12lb lower than when going close at Doncaster (5f, heavy) last October; however, he's had an underwhelming campaign in the main this season and others arrive with more pressing claims. |
12/1 |
|
8th 8 (10) |
13th Sep 2026 Good 0m 5f 3y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Lacklustre campaign in the main but he has a reduced mark to work with as a result and was an encouraging seventh of 21 in a first-time visor (retained) at York (5.4f, good to soft) last Sunday, when suffering interference and away from the main action; ran two big races here last autumn; interesting. |
7/1 |
|
7th 11 (15) |
6th Sep 2026 Good To Soft 0m 5f 89y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Twice a course winner, including over this trip; started his campaign with a promising run at Beverley but three lacklustre runs have followed; well handicapped if the addition of a visor sparks a revival. |
25/1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 5 (4) |
26th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 5lb |
Three more wins this year (including C&D on soft) and last Saturday's sixth of 23 in the Silver Cup at Ayr was another creditable effort (second of 12 in his group); the fact he's finished in the first three (including four wins) on eight of his ten visits to Haydock makes him a must for the shortlist. |
5/1 |
|
6th 12 (23) |
19th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 6f 0y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Respectable but unavailing effort in the Bronze Cup two years ago; in marvellous form this year, adding three wins at 5f (soft and good to soft), but he couldn't pull off another one at Haydock recently off a career-high mark; has more to do back at 6f. |
12/1 |
|
2nd 6 (5) |
5th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 5f 0y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
Has 48 runs under his belt but amazingly is better than ever and was winning his third race of the year at Beverley (5f, soft) last week; on a career-high mark now but this course specialist made it 2-3 over C&D in May and further rain will make no difference; no ifs or buts and can put up a good show. |
7/2 |
Non-runners
Sophias Starlight
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £160.60 |
| Straight Forecast | £138.79 |
| Tricast | £1094.08 |
| Trifecta | £941.50 |