14:25 York

Saturday 23 August 2025

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

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

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 59.71s

(7)

Boatswain³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 93

14/1

Debut winner who shaped well when narrowly defeated on two subsequent maiden starts (looked a strong stayer) and far from disgraced in pair of handicaps since, not ideally placed on first crack at this trip when fourth of 6 at Sandown 4 weeks ago. Has a race in him from this sort of mark.

Form: 12274

(10)

Daiquiri Bay²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 93

8/1

Easy winner on return in a Chester maiden (10.3f) in May and shaped well in defeat since, eighth in King George V handicap at Ascot (12f) in June. Found wanting for finishing speed when fourth at Goodwood (9.9f) latest and this sort of test could be right up his street. Interesting.

Form: 3-1284

(12)

Tarriance³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: A M Balding| OR: 93| D

5/1

Fine pedigree and he took his form up another notch when winning 6-runner handicap at Sandown (14f) 30 days ago, better placed than the runner-up but showing a willing attitude to prevail. Remains unexposed on the back of just 4 career starts and he's well worth a second look.

Form: 3121

(11)

Pole Star³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: C Johnston| OR: 90| D

17/2

Typical improving stayer for this yard, who found further progress to make it 3 wins from last 4 starts in 9-runner handicap at Yarmouth (14.1f) 30 days ago, running on. Doubtful we've seen all he has to offer and he's another well worthy of consideration from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 421611

(9)

Cape Breton²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: R M Beckett| OR: 89

18/1

Proved well suited by the step up in trip when readily doubling his tally in 4-runner handicap at Salisbury (12f) in June. Hit with a 7 lb rise and ran to a similar level when fourth at Goodwood (12f) next time but feasible to think he could have more to offer now exploring 1¾m for the first time.

Form: 51-2614

(8)

Many Men²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Boyle| OR: 88

9/2

Ended last season with success over 10f at Newmarket and continued progressive theme this campaign, scoring twice at Doncaster prior to going in again on first crack at 2m at Ascot 4 weeks ago. More on his plate in this deeper affair but he's building up a very solid profile.

Form: 153181

(2)

Fantasy World³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 88

11/1

Make Believe gelding who has improved at a rate of knots this season, opening his account in a Ffos Las maiden (10f) in June and took his form up a notch when following up on handicap debut at Yarmouth (11.5f) last month. Still unexposed and this further increase in trip looks sure to suit. Player.

Form: 7-3311

(4)

Golden Handshake³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88

15/2

Zarak gelding who readily landed cramped odds on third start in a Leicester maiden (11.6f) in June and best effort yet when following up in 5-runner handicap at Newbury (12f) 36 days ago, closed down late. Had a good bit left at the line and interesting for stable who have won this twice since 2019.

Form: 9211

(5)

Love Talk⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 85

80/1

Won twice as a 2-y-o and pretty highly tried this campaign, looking flattered when third in Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock (11.8f) in July. Runner-up in 3-runner handicap at Pontefract (10f) subsequently but she clearly lacks the potential of a few now tackling this longer trip.

Form: 7-39432

(3)

Talismans Time⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 85

14/1

Different proposition following 7 months off/gelding operation, landing 4-runner maiden at Hamilton (11f) in May and only needed to run to a similar level when following up in 5-runner handicap back at that venue (13f) 6 weeks ago. This rates much tougher but unlikely we've seen all he has to offer.

Form: 34-11

(6)

Sea Of Kings^t²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 83

10/1

Shaped with definite promise when placed all 3 starts in maiden/novice company and equipped with a tongue tie, it was a similar story when fifth of 13 on handicap debut at Goodwood (11.2f) 3 weeks ago, running on. In good hands and he remains with potential now stamina is tested further.

Form: 2325

(1)

Novelista²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 83

5/1

Still a maiden but surely won't be long in putting that right, likely he'd have overhauled stablemate Pole Star with a clearer passage at Haydock (14f) on penultimate start. Similar form when fourth in handicap at Goodwood (12f) and highly likely this step back up in trip sure to suit.

Form: 23-6224

Forecasts

Many Men (9/2), Tarriance (5/1), Novelista (5/1), Golden Handshake (15/2), Daiquiri Bay (8/1), Pole Star (17/2), Sea Of Kings (10/1), Fantasy World (11/1), Boatswain (14/1), Talismans Time (14/1), Cape Breton (18/1), Love Talk (80/1)

No shortage of chances in a typically competitive renewal. POLE STAR enhanced his form further when making it 3 wins from his last 4 starts at Yarmouth 4 weeks ago and he gets the narrow vote with further progress anticipated. Andrew Balding has won this twice since 2020 and holds strong claims again with low-mileage pair Tarriance and Fantasy World. Golden Handshake representing William Haggas and Novelista are just a couple of others to consider.