16:10 York
Wednesday 19 August 2026
All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20
Sky Bet Stayers Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
- 3YO plus  |  Class 2  |  2m 56y  |  Good (Good to Soft in places)  |  16 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 3m 35.52s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Proved better than ever when winning 2m handicaps at Kempton and Newcastle at the turn of the year. Still to confirm himself anywhere near as effective on turf, failing to beat a rival for the third start in a row at Goodwood (20.5f) last month, though was found to have finished lame.
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Notched an eleventh career win over a shorter-than-ideal trip at Ripon (1½m) in April. Not disgraced in a German Group 2 next time and performed creditably under top weight when seventh of 20 in Northumberland Plate when last seen in June. Probably needs respite from the handicapper.
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Not long with the excellent James Owen yard and improving by the run, opening his account for the season in 4-runner handicap at Ascot (2m) last month, the way in which he asserted at the end of a steadily-run race impressive. 6 lb rise far from insurmountable so big shout under Ryan Moore.
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Successful at Chester and Epsom last season for Gary & Josh Moore and, after performing with credit in a couple of maiden hurdles/Royal Ascot handicap, ran as well as he has despite conceding first run when second of 13 at Goodwood (1¾m) earlier in the month. Up 4 lb for that but one to consider.
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Fitted with cheekpieces, gained a first handicap success at Goodwood in May and overcame a steady pace to follow up at Newmarket's July Festival. Went with little fluency in his hat-trick bid at former course earlier in the month and more severe headgear is reached for (first-time blinkers).
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Made a winning reappearance at Navan (1¾m) in March and backed that up with an encouraging third in a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle. From a career-high mark, wasn't discredited on the balance of his form when fifteenth of 20 in a Royal Ascot handicap (2½m) last time but others preferred.
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Started out for Ewan Whillans with 2m Newcastle win and followed up over 1¾m at Musselburgh over Easter. Back on the up having not been seen to best effect on his previous 2 starts when nose second of 7 to Shrimp Shady at Newbury (16.5f) last month so not without each-way hope.
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Resumed winning ways over 2m at Goodwood in May 2025 and got back on track when third of 6 in similar company there when last seen 11 months ago. Clearly had his fair share of issues to have been off for so long so a watching brief is advised for all form of the yard is a positive.
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Hadn't excelled in half a dozen previous ventures beyond 1½m but clearly relished the test of stamina when winning 6-runner event at Goodwood (2m, soft) just over 10 weeks ago, reeling in a proven performer in the mud with plenty to spare. Freshened up since and any rain would be in his favour.
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Belatedly doubled his tally when bolting up in 5-runner event at Southwell (16.5f) early last month, having what proved a very weak race for the grade wrapped up a long way out. Handicapper has reacted with a 6 lb rise and unexposed over staying trips, he could have more to offer.
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Had some smart form in Germany prior to joining shrewd connections and landed a gamble at the Curragh (1¾m) in late-May. Has struggled the last twice over longer trips, most recently at Galway (17f) last month, though market support could well prove significant.
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Low-mileage 4-y-o who returned to turf to land the Chester Plate in May and found a bit more improvement when edging out Team Player at Newbury (16.5f) last month. Very well backed under Ryan Moore and ran well from 3 lb higher when second of 10 at Ascot (2m) 11 days ago. Needs to pull out more.
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Flat/hurdle winner for Donnacha O'Brien who matched previous form for his new yard when ninth of 10 at Ascot (2m, good to firm) 11 days ago, found wanting for a change of speed in the straight. First-time visor is applied and any rain would enhance his chance.
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Developed into a useful stayer last year. Best effort this season when second of 6 over 1¾m at Ascot (good to firm) last month, going down only to an improving 3-y-o. Sent off favourite but only 7¾ lengths third of 4 to Kirchner back there since so needs to bounce back.
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Reliable type who again ran his race when 1¼ lengths third of 7 to Shrimp Shady at Newbury (16.5f, firm) last month. That gave further weight to the theory that he's about where he should be in the handicap so others more appealing for win purposes.
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Back to winning ways in 13-runner event at Thirsk (good) in May, proving well suited by the return to 2m. Shaped encouragingly from a less-than-ideal position after 9 weeks off when third of 10 at Ascot 11 days ago and one to consider having firmly found his feet for Jim Goldie.
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Non-Runners
14
(13)
Ghaiyya26
Weight: 9-0|Â Â Age: 4
T: C Johnston  J: Rossa Ryan
NR
Forecasts
Small Fry (2/1), Kirchner (4/1), Boatswain (11/2), Valedictory (6/1), Shrimp Shady (10/1), Ride The Thunder (11/1), Team Player (16/1), Mountain Road (20/1), Kilmeaden (20/1), Manxman (25/1), Ghaiyya (25/1), In The Breeze (28/1), Fireblade (28/1), Westminster Moon (40/1), Prydwen (40/1), Mordor (50/1), Duke Of Oxford (100/1)
A competitive valuable staying handicap. Preference is for KIRCHNER, who took another step forward for his new yard when bolting up at Ascot last month and James Owen's 4-y-o is fancied to make light of a 6 lb rise with the booking of Ryan Moore only enhancing his claims further. Small Fry heads up the dangers having run as well as he ever has at Goodwood recently, with Boatswain and Valedictory another couple worth considering, too.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £51,540.002nd: £24,170.003rd: £12,090.004th: £6,040.005th: £3,020.006th: £1,510.00
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