16:10 York

Wednesday 20 August 2025

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

Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 3m 30.31s

(13)

Wise Eagle^t1,p¹²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 103| D

33/1

Without a win on Flat in 2024, but placed in Group 3 here (13.9f) in July and ended the year with back-to-back wins over hurdles. Good fourth of 14 in handicap at Musselburgh (14f, good) back on the level in April and can give his running with cheekpieces reapplied/tongue tie added.

Form: 0620-24

(8)

Artistic Star^p1¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98

20/1

Successful first 2 starts but without a win since. However, has run creditably in handicaps 3 of his last 4 starts, faring best of those held up when fifth of 14 at Goodwood (14f, good) 18 days ago. More needed with cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 7-74025

(10)

Santorini Star⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97

10/3

Made it 3 wins from 4 starts in handicaps when scoring with a bit in hand at Goodwood (12f) in May and, having had excuses in listed race next time, soon got back on track when fourth of 9 in Group 3 at Fairyhouse (14f, good) 6 weeks ago. Respected upped further in trip.

Form: 1-51144

(1)

Charging Thunder^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Ashley Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 96| D

28/1

Rejuvenated by switch to current yard last autumn, winning 4 times from first 5 starts for the stable (twice over hurdles). Has remained in good heart on the Flat since, adding to his tally at Wolverhampton (14f) 20 days ago, but this is tougher back up in grade.

Form: 250321

(6)

Align The Stars¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 96

9/1

Progressive in handicaps last summer, completing hat-trick at Glorious Goodwood (14f). However, has found things more difficult this season, running one of lesser races when well held back at Goodwood (20.4f, good) 19 days ago. Is now 3 lb below last winning mark at least.

Form: 074757

(12)

Dancing In Paris¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| C

6/1

Three-time winner last term who has looked as good as ever this time around, runner-up in Northumberland Plate and quickly back to that form when filling same spot behind a thriving sort at Goodwood (14f, good) 18 days ago. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 3-43282

(4)

Spirit Mixer¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 94| D

25/1

Grand servant to connections who tasted success twice at Chester (15.9f) last autumn and fended off Dancing In Paris to land the Northumberland Plate in June. Ran to similar level when fifth of 9 at Ascot (16f, good to firm) 11 days ago, though was only eighth in this race last year.

Form: 0-57215

(9)

Alphonse Le Grande^t⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: A J Martin| OR: 93| D

4/1

Signed off a highly-productive 2024 with success in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (18f) and, with reappearance run behind him, didn't have the race go his way when eighth of 20 in Ascot Stakes at the Royal Meeting (20f, good to firm) last time. Major player.

Form: 1081-08

(2)

Fireblade¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 90| D

10/1

Made a winning start for current yard at Leicester (11.8f) in April and has been suited by going back up in trip following his next outing, doubling his tally at Ascot (16f, good to firm) 11 days ago when scoring by 1¾ lengths from Almuhit. Can give another good account.

Form: 172231

(5)

Almuhit^t,p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Wayne Lordan| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 87| D

22/1

Won twice over hurdles for Gary Brown earlier this year and positive start for new yard, recording back-to-back 16f wins on the level at Newbury this summer. Had run of the race when second to Fireblade at Ascot (16f, good to firm) last time, but could be capable of a bold bid.

Form: 4-P4112

(3)

Maghlaak^t,p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: P J McDonald| T: A Keatley| OR: 86| D

50/1

Dual winner over hurdles for current yard over the winter. Went close back on the Flat here (11.9f) in May but hasn't been able to match that form in 3 subsequent outings on the level, though was left poorly placed at Ascot (16f, good to firm) 11 days ago. Others still preferred.

Form: 9-42857

(11)

Artisan Dancer¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: A Mullen| T: C Johnston| OR: 81| D

28/1

Gained first success on turf at Ripon (16f) in April and has continued in decent form since, again not seen to best effect from a poor position when third of 9 to Fireblade at Ascot (16f, good to firm) last time. Needs things to drop right.

Form: 333073

(7)

Terrorise³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: B Ellison| OR: 78| CD

4/1

Winner on handicap debut last season and also successful over hurdles this year. Suited by going up in trip back in this sphere when scoring over C&D (good to firm) in July and could still have more to offer, though does have something to find from 1 lb out of weights.

Form: 4049-51

Forecasts

Santorini Star (10/3), Alphonse Le Grande (4/1), Terrorise (4/1), Dancing In Paris (6/1), Align The Stars (9/1), Fireblade (10/1), Artistic Star (20/1), Almuhit (22/1), Spirit Mixer (25/1), Artisan Dancer (28/1), Charging Thunder (28/1), Wise Eagle (33/1), Maghlaak (50/1)

A four-time winner last season, ALPHONSE LE GRANDE shaped as if back in top form in the Ascot Stakes on his latest outing, denied a clear run from early in the straight, so he could be ready to add to his tally this time around. Heading the list of dangers is Santorini Star, who could still have more to offer as she goes up in trip, with Dancing In Paris also in the mix.