14.25
Good To SoftSky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
- Prize money: £92772
- 1m 5f 188y
- Class 2
- 17 runners
Runners: 17 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Form: 1-1116 D
Last run: 39 days
W: 9st 9lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 (8) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 34y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Unraced on firmer than good; won the last three of his five races, making the running when asked serious questions for his first two wins; lost the lead at halfway on latest outing but rallied in grand style to emerge from fourth of five in that Listed race at Navan (1m5f, yielding) and firmly seize the initiative from Asakir late on; looks sure to stay; progressive and has a leading form chance after that latest start, while leaving the firm impression he has more in the locker. |
7/2 |
|
1st 2 (5) |
16th May 2026 Good 1m 5f 0y |
9st 5lb |
Progressed nicely in each of three juvenile runs, notably making all in Listowel rated race on heavy ground (1m); followed up on seasonal return when tongue-tied in 1m2f Cork conditions last month, dictating steady pace then battling well; Derby entry looks the type to keep progressing and could well improve for this longer trip. |
5/2 |
Form: 2-3131
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 1lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 (3) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 1m 3f 218y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
Won 1m2f maiden at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April on third start and he was third on recent handicap debut at Chester (10.3f, good) where not much went right, as he was slowly away, failed to settle and denied a clear run before staying on strongly; this close relation to Group 1 winner Nezwaah could be quite a bit better than his current mark, especially now at 1m4f. |
100/30 |
|
3rd 8 (3) |
10th Jul 2026 Good 1m 2f 70y Class 3 |
9st 4lb |
Well-bred colt who delivered on earlier promise when readily drawing clear to justify odds-on favouritism in Pontefract novice (1m2f, good) in April, his third run; makes handicap debut after ten-week break but should still have a fair bit more to offer; respected. |
9/4 |
Form: 12201
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 0lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Form: 12-394
Last run: 24 days
W: 8st 13lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 (1) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 1m 3f 218y Class 2 |
9st 9lb |
Merely ninth of 19 in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) but he failed to settle and prior to that he kept on for a good third in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good) on his handicap and seasonal debut, shaping as though 1m4f could be right up his street; retains potential at this trip and could be a contender if settling better. |
7/1 |
|
9th 2 (10) |
18th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Dam is sister to dual Arc winner Treve; 8-1, good third of ten in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) on his seasonal/handicap debut; raised 2lb but there's a big chance he can raise his game again with that run under his belt and this extra 2f. |
7/1 |
Form: -12311 D
Last run: 49 days
W: 8st 10lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 (5) |
4th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Second to Magnetude at Chester (1m4f, good) in May on handicap debut; 10-11 for seven-runner race at Newbury (1m4f, good to soft) on latest outing but drawing 4l clear represented improved form and gave plenty of hope for 1m6f; up 7lb but considered for yard which also runs Hard To Believe. |
7/2 |
|
1st 1 (4) |
11th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 1m 4f 0y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
Won Wolverhampton novice (9.4f, AW) in January on fourth start and returned from break with close second on handicap debut at Chester (1m4f, good) last month; only third of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) but that was still a good run and he could be in the shake-up today. |
7/2 |
Form: -13161 D
Last run: 42 days
W: 8st 9lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 (3) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 34y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
Has contested four 1m4f handicaps this season and won twice in small fields on the AW, latterly despite veering badly right; 22-1 for red-hot race at Royal Ascot (good to firm) on latest outing but finished strongly for sixth of 19, which looked promising for today's test off 2lb higher. |
5/2 |
|
6th 18 (16) |
18th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 2 |
8st 8lb |
Pontefract 1m2f winner (soft) as 2yo; contested three 1m4f handicaps this season and came a creditable third at Chester (good) in between winning twice in small fields on AW; latest win was despite veering badly right, away from the whip; up 4lb and, although he may have more in the tank, this race looks so much harder. |
28/1 |
Form: 241212 CD
Last run: 30 days
W: 8st 7lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (3) |
23rd Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 3 |
9st 9lb |
Won two of his three handicaps (on good) and beaten a head in the other (good to firm); collared the odds-on front-runner close home when upped to 1m6f in eight-runner race at York last time; raised another 5lb but progressive and still promising. |
9/4 |
|
1st 8 (2) |
27th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 4 |
9st 1lb |
Progressive 3yo who landed three-runner event on his handicap debut at Hamilton (1m3f) in May and went very close to defying a 4lb rise in another small field at Doncaster one week ago; up another 4lb but there's plenty of stamina in the family and this trip can unlock more. |
5/1 |
Form: 2-321
Last run: 28 days
W: 8st 6lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 8 (8) |
25th Jul 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 4f 98y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Placed at Nottingham, Newbury (1m2f) and Carlisle (1m1f) in his three races before this handicap/AW debut; it was admittedly a shock defeat at 1-4 when beaten a neck last time but that was against a once-race Juddmonte colt and probably still a creditable effort; this trip makes appeal and he's a very different sort to the older, more exposed runners in this; one to note. |
5/2 |
|
2nd 5 (9) |
9th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 1m 1f 0y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Runner-up at Nottingham (8.3f, good to soft) last October on sole 2yo start and again showed considerable promise when third at Newbury (1m2f, good) last month; he's the one to beat on form. |
5/6 |
Form: 52-52
Last run: 26 days
W: 8st 6lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 (10) |
27th Jul 2026 Good To Yielding 1m 4f 84y |
9st 9lb |
Promise when fifth on debut at the Curragh (1m1f, yld-sft) last September; denied by a head over 1m at Leopardstown in October; should be near peak fitness now after a run at Gowran eight weeks ago; dam won over 1m4f, trip should suit. |
6/1 |
|
5th 15 (17) |
1st Jun 2026 Good 1m 1f 120y |
9st 8lb |
Promise when fifth on debut at the Curragh (1m1f, yld-sft) last September; denied by a head at Leopardstown when last seen in October and the fourth from that race has since gone close in a Group 3; fascinating runner for champion jumps trainer. |
9/2 |
Form: 8-212 BF
Last run: 56 days
W: 8st 4lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Form: -232P3
Last run: 14 days
W: 8st 4lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 (6) |
8th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Competitive in both his handicaps (1m4f) for George Boughey and left that yard for £170,000; likely to win races for Ian Williams, but he was pulled up after never going at Goodwood only ten days ago (1m4f, good to firm; 25-1) and headgear is soon turned to. |
16/1 |
|
6 (5) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 1m 3f 218y Class 2 |
8st 12lb |
Third of 14 on handicap debut at York (1m4f, good) in May and the form of his subsequent second of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) has worked out well; sold out of George Boughey's yard for £170,000 last month and he's in with an each-way shout on this first run for Ian Williams. |
20/1 |
Form: -24512
Last run: 22 days
W: 8st 4lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 9 (10) |
31st Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 44y Class 3 |
9st 1lb |
Carried his head high in blinkers for last two starts but he challenged to win on the nod in a five-runner handicap at Newbury (1m3f, good to firm) last time, getting off the mark at the ninth attempt; up 3lb and into a much more competitive race, he could still be thereabouts but others make more appeal for win purposes. |
8/1 |
|
1st 5 (4) |
17th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 0y Class 4 |
9st 0lb |
A string of minor honours but no win from his eight races; disappointing on good to firm at Ascot in May, in between showing his best form at Kempton (1m3f, AW) and Sandown (1m2f, good); blinkers were fitted for that latest start, when he came from the back for fifth of 12 despite carrying his head high, and this race is markedly less competitive. |
5/2 |
Form: 6-123
Last run: 63 days
W: 8st 4lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 86
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Form: 3316
Last run: 22 days
W: 8st 3lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Form: -07231 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 8st 2lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 16 (10) |
31st Jul 2026 Yielding 1m 6f 14y |
9st 2lb |
Ordinary form in maidens; little impact in his first two handicaps; took a step in the right direction when second to Nermal at Roscommon; staying on well when third here on Tuesday; longer trip and hood may help. |
7/2 |
|
3rd 14 (11) |
27th Jul 2026 Good To Yielding 1m 4f 84y |
8st 8lb |
Ordinary form in maidens; little impact in his first two handicaps; took a step in the right direction when second to Nermal at Roscommon; bound to be fully primed for this; fair chance that this trip will prove close to his optimum. |
9/2 |
Form: -54933
Last run: 28 days
W: 8st 2lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 10 (12) |
25th Jul 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 4f 98y Class 4 |
9st 5lb |
0-6 for Donnacha O'Brien in Ireland but staying-on third of ten in a maiden at Leopardstown (1m5f, good to firm) last time was his best form; flopped in 1m2f handicap the time before and also modest in his only AW race, but a positive start for his new connections is by no means ruled out. |
12/1 |
|
3rd 4 (1) |
18th Jun 2026 Yielding 1m 5f 0y |
9st 8lb |
Opening course handicap effort (1m4f, good) offered plenty of encouragement, coming home strongly after not clear run to finish fourth; sent off favourite at Down Royal but never a factor (10.5f); considered back in a maiden over a more suitable trip. |
9/1 |
Form: 34311 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 8st 2lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
No Results Found |
Betting Forcast
4/1 Limestone, 9/2 Infraad, 8/1 Into The Light, 14/1 Tierra Del Toro, 12/1 Mythical Bay, 12/1 Galilean Quality, 25/1 My Ballyquinn, 10/1 Glory Road, 8/1 Sharkeyboy, 20/1 Whos Lope, 33/1 Baltic Fleet, 20/1 Devils Peak, 14/1 Bay Of Stars, 66/1 Steel Raven, 12/1 Vantage Code, 25/1 Eniac, 12/1 Probation
Verdict
A fiercely competitive puzzle featuring numerous progressive stayers. Irish challenger Bay Of Stars is a tempting option following his staying-on third in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal, where he had to wait for a clear run, but preference is for GLORY ROAD. The selection did it nicely on his handicap debut over 12.4f at Newcastle last time, shaping as though today's extra yardage would prompt further improvement, and the runner-up franked the form when comfortably going one better at Salisbury. Eniac was a promising third in that same Newcastle race on his stable debut and is third choice, although Limestone, Infraad, Into The Light, Sharkeyboy, Devil's Peak and Vantage Code can all have good cases made, while Andrew Balding has an excellent recent record in this race and he saddles Mythical Bay and Who's Lope.[Ben Hutton]Selections
POSTDATA:
Infraad