16:10 York

Wednesday 17 August 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 3m 35.93s

(13)

Thunderous^b²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109| C

7/1

Front runner who ran up to his smart best when runner-up to Stradivarius in Yorkshire Cup in May. Fared as well as could be expected in the Goodwood Cup last month and this is his handicap debut.

Form: 622436

(15)

Withhold^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 100| D

33/1

Has plenty of form in top-level handicaps to his name but restricted to just 3 runs this season and he doesn't look the force of old, brushed aside over 20.5f at Goodwood 3 weeks ago. Usual cheekpieces back on.

Form: 320-650

(5)

Master Milliner¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 98| CD

11/2

Superb strike rate since handicapping from a low base and arrives in the form of his life, supplementing his Kempton success at Goodwood 19 days ago. Up 5 lb but clearly warrants respect.

Form: 1-52011

(6)

Rock Eagle^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98| D

12/1

Useful and consistent performer who was held up in a steadily-run race at Ascot's Shergar Cup meeting 11 days ago. That run can be excused and this shouldn't be a messy contest.

Form: 22-6829

(10)

Red Verdon^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 97| C| D

40/1

Down in the weights but couldn't quite take advantage of a drop in grade when runner-up ay Beverley last month. Similar form when seventh in a better race at Ascot and this is deeper, still.

Form: 480027

(11)

Alfred Boucher³²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 96

5/1

Ascot winner from 8 lb lower last summer and in top form with a brace of runner-up efforts at Chester. Stays 2m and has the services of William Buick.

Form: 593-822

(14)

Soapy Stevens¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95| BF| D

4/1

Improved performer this summer, supplementing his Chester win at Newmarket, finding plenty for pressure. Did really well to finish fourth at Goodwood given how free he was and that suggests his mark remains workable. Big player.

Form: 323114

(2)

Zoffee¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 92| D

11/2

Has had a very good spell for his new yard back on the Flat. winning at Carlisle (1¾m) and Newcastle (2m) before an excellent close third of 16 in a very competitive handicap at Newmarket's July meeting. Seemed stretched by 20.4f trip at Goodwood.

Form: 3/31137

(7)

Frankenstella^b⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 87| CD

15/2

Likeable mare who resumed progress when landing 10-runner handicap in May 2021. Restricted to just two runs since, finishing placed on each occasion, and she's likely to give it another good go in a change of headgear.

Form: 1/4412-3

(8)

Praiano^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Varian| OR: 86

10/1

Fitted with blinkers but still lacked a change of gear when second of 4 at Newmarket 12 days ago. Looks worth a go at this trip.

Form: 227-542

(12)

Red Flyer¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: K Jewell| OR: 85

25/1

Pair of AW wins at start of year and also successful on Rowley course at Newmarket in May. Career best when short-headed by Soapy Stevens at Newmarket (1¾m) before blowing the start at Goodwood.

Form: 201420

(1)

Monsieur Lambrays^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: J F Egan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| CD

28/1

First past the post here (1¾m) in June but demoted to second after causing interference. Never involved in the Northumberland Vase and application under pressure at Pontefract last time was concerning.

Form: 5-55D03

Non-Runners

(9)

Morando⁴⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 9

T: A M Balding J: S De Sousa

(4)

Themaxwecan¹¹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 6

T: C & M Johnston J: J P Spencer

(3)

Haveyoumissedme²⁵

Weight: 8-3| Age: 4

T: I Jardine J: Cam Hardie

Forecasts

Soapy Stevens (4/1), Alfred Boucher (5/1), Zoffee (11/2), Master Milliner (11/2), Thunderous (7/1), Frankenstella (15/2), Themaxwecan (8/1), Praiano (10/1), Rock Eagle (12/1), Haveyoumissedme (20/1), Morando (20/1), Red Flyer (25/1), Monsieur Lambrays (28/1), Withhold (33/1), Red Verdon (40/1)

The most persuasive option in this fiercely-competitive handicap is SOAPY STEVENS, who did really well to finish fourth given how free he was at Goodwood and a brace of wins prior to that mark him down as a 4-y-o on the up. Zoffee failed to stay last time and is a big threat back in distance, with Haveyoumissedme one to consider at longer odds.