16:10 York

Wednesday 23 August 2023

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

Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 3m 30.34s

(1)

Solent Gateway^p,t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 95| D

14/1

Bagged second victory of 2023 granted the run of the race at Haydock (16.2f) in May, but unable to replicate that in stronger company when ninth in Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting. Ran creditably when fourth at Newbury on his latest outing and can give his all again.

Form: 476194

(2)

Zanndabad^t⁸⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: A J Martin| OR: 94

17/2

Useful performer on the level in France who started off for current yard with 3 runs in maiden hurdles. After 3 months off, wasn't seen to best effect back on the Flat when twelfth of 18 in handicap at the Curragh (14f) in May, never nearer. Interesting upped further in trip.

Form: 43113-0

(6)

Aztec Empire³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 90| D

7/2

Pair of all-weather wins at up to 2m at Kempton this year and ran at least as well when third in the Northumberland Plate. Back on turf, shaped better than the result when also third at Newbury last month, travelling well for a long way. Merits consideration.

Form: 416633

(9)

Charging Thunder^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90

18/1

Won 3 times up to 14f last summer and, after a spell at Meydan at the start of this year, returned to form with a pair of in-frame efforts at Ayr and Ripon in July. Made effort earlier than ideal at Newmarket last time, so could fare better having his first try at this trip.

Form: 590344

(13)

Themaxwecan^p⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: C Johnston| OR: 90| D

22/1

Successful at Ascot last summer and stepped up on reappearance run when third at Haydock (16.2f) in May. Has found it tougher facing stiffer tasks on his last 2 starts, though was trapped wide when mid-field in the Northumberland Plate on his latest outing.

Form: 17-9300

(8)

Haliphon^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87| C

22/1

Having edged down in the weights has shown more promising signs with cheekpieces reapplied on his last 3 starts, travelling best but bumping into an unexposed rival at Yarmouth (14.1f) last time. Enters calculations from 3 lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 5-07582

(11)

La Pulga¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 86

33/1

All-the-way winner of a 13f Hamilton handicap in June and continued in good heart on his subsequent 2 outings that month. However, has finished down the field on his last 2 starts, although possibly unsuited by testing conditions at Goodwood 18 days ago.

Form: 412350

(12)

First Emperor^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: J Ryan| OR: 86| D

40/1

Back-to-back winner on the all-weather in January and, having a first try at 2m on turf, produced a career best when scoring at Goodwood in May. However, form has gone the wrong way on his last 3 starts and he looks to be up against it.

Form: 513970

(4)

Forza Orta¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Rowan Scott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 86| C

8/1

Won twice last year, including at this course (11.9f) in July, and stepped up on his form so far this season when runner-up at Hamilton (13.1f), returned to more prominent tactics. On a workable mark and could build on his latest effort as he goes up in trip.

Form: 93-5772

(3)

Robert Johnson¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Beasley| T: P A Kirby| OR: 83| CD

5/1

Most progressive this year, making it 5 wins from 6 starts when successful at this C&D in July. Improved again in defeat when runner-up at Goodwood (20.4f) 19 days ago, pulling clear of the remainder, so he looks a major player once more.

Form: 141112

(5)

Green Team^p³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 82

25/1

Useful performer at best but comfortably held all 4 starts in Meydan earlier this year for present stable. Hasn't fared any better back in Britain on his last 3 starts, never dangerous when third of 6 at Ascot last time. Return of cheekpieces needs to spark a revival.

Form: 407703

(7)

Mostly Sunny^b¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: H Main| OR: 80| D

20/1

Dual winner in 2022 who ran up to his best returned to the all-weather when second at Newcastle (16.2f) in July, shaping as if he should be suited by even longer distances. However, bounce back now called for having been tailed off at Goodwood 19 days ago.

Form: 1-77220

(10)

Tronador¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: J Fanning| T: G Elliott| OR: 79| D

9/1

Returned to winning ways at Limerick (17f) in June before producing one of his better efforts over hurdles at Bellewstown the following month. Back on the level, again ran well when third of 17 (Robert Johnson in second) at Goodwood (20.4f) last time. Can give another good account.

Form: 932-613

(14)

Grappa Nonino¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: Saffie Osborne| T: D K Weld| OR: 67| D

9/2

Opened account in this sphere at Killarney (16.8f) in May and resumed winning ways in big-field event at the Curragh (14f) 10 days ago, having to come from further back than 2 of the next 3 home. Not dismissed lightly under a penalty.

Form: 4-21081

Forecasts

Aztec Empire (7/2), Grappa Nonino (9/2), Robert Johnson (5/1), Forza Orta (8/1), Zanndabad (17/2), Tronador (9/1), Solent Gateway (14/1), Charging Thunder (18/1), Mostly Sunny (20/1), Haliphon (22/1), Themaxwecan (22/1), Green Team (25/1), La Pulga (33/1), First Emperor (40/1)

ROBERT JOHNSON has thrived having rejoined the Philip Kirby yard this year, winning 5 times with his latest success at this C&D in July, and he can add to his tally after he showed improved form in defeat at Goodwood earlier in the month. Heading the list of dangers is Haliphon, who can make his presence felt from below his last winning mark, while Aztec Empire can also go well again.