York - Sat 23 May 2026
This is wide open and only a tentative vote can go to AN OUTLAW'S GRACE. The son of Dandy Man is without a win since his debut at Salisbury, but he returned to form with an encouraging second at Windsor recently and looks to hold solid claims from an unchanged mark. Orne remains of interest following a creditable third over 7f here last week, while 66/1 Hamilton winner Mae Amor renewals her rivalry with runner-up Jonny Concrete. Papa Cocktail arrives following a brace of seconds and could also be in the mix.
CUBAN HEELS was unable to justify favouritism on his debut at Ascot last month, but the Havana Grey colt can put that experience to good use and reward those that keep the faith. Karl Burke's youngsters are usually worth following and Possessive is no different, although he might prefer a bit further in time. Ten Sovereigns colt Mussab is another to consider given his connections, and keep in mind Lake Muritz, who drops in class having come up short in the Marygate.
Another open sprint in which a chance can be taken on LETHAL NYMPH. The seven-year-old belied odds of 80/1 to finish a creditable fourth over C&D on Dante Day and could build on it given the likely strong pace, especially with the added bonus of a 1lb ease in the handicap. Fortification was another to run well at a huge price, winning at odds of 40/1 over track and trip the following day. Brian Ellison's charge has few miles on the clock and could go well once again from a handy racing weight. Hamilton winner Vantheman and reopposing second Reigning Profit enter the reckoning, as does Goodwood runner-up King Of Light. Alvin and Pilgrim are just two more to consider.
Having ended her four-year-old campaign with an impressive Listed triumph at Doncaster, DANIELLE could prove tough to stop on this slight rise in class. The Gosdens' mare had previously finished a decent fifth in the Group 1 Champions Fillies & Mares at Ascot and an official rating of 114 makes her the one to beat. Miss Alpilles boasts a recent run after finishing third in the Sagaro and she's feared most, ahead of Lava Stream.
Sporting Light has proved a different proposition since returning from a 178-day break with two victories at Southwell, and he must enter calculations given his upward trajectory. However, a 10lb hike from the assessor does demand more of the son of Calyx, which could leave the door open for ZARVALI to complete a double. Roger Fell's charge was value for further when winning on his stable bow at Catterick recently and there could be more to come on just his second start over this distance. The hat-trick seeking Reliable Ricki is the pick of the remainder.
BRIDGE OF EAGLES took a major step forward on his first start as a three-year-old when getting up late to win by a head at Goodwood, his first appearance since beng gelded. With the prospect of more to come, the son of Gleneagles merits plenty of respect. Alba Gu Brath stayed on to win over a mile before failing to see out 1m4f at Doncaster, but he could be better suited by this trip and may hold off Stoneacre Donny and Moment Of Light for second.
Rascal Recknell ended last season in top form with two wins and a second from four starts after joining Mick Appleby, but he has been put up another 2lb and may have to settle for a place here. BEALE STREET was value for more than the official margin of a neck, after getting a clear run at the last moment at Newcastle, and he gets to race off 6lb lower back on turf which gives him every chance. The consistent Pulsar Star gets the nod for the minor placing.
This big-field handicap looks wiode open. Let's take a chance on JONNY CONCRETE, who was just denied by Kats Bob in a C&D handicap last summer and is weighted to reverse form. He enters the race in good form and will have options from stall 10. Old rival Kats Bob is respected also, but it could be Papa Cocktail who emerges as a greater threat. He's been in good form without winning and still appeals as being on a competitive mark. An Outlaw's Grace, runner-up at Windsor last time and a useful handicapper, and Kiniro, who was never involved at Chester on reappearance, are others to consider.
Possessive is a most interesting newcomer for a good yard and strong market confidence would be telling, but CUBAN HEELS showed plenty on his Ascot debut and, hailing from a top yard, he looks capable of going two places better and getting off the mark at the third attempt. Mussab is another newcomer of note for Richard Fahey, but on form Lake Muritz comes in as third choice given she contested a Listed event at the course last time.
Any number worthy of considering in this big-field handicap, the 3yo Fortification is bound to be popular after springing a 40-1 surprise in a 3yo handicap over C&D at the Dante meeting, with further progress likely, but it's fellow 3yo ALVIN who appeals most. Although stall 21 could be risky, he's all speed and had excuses at Chester last time - he stumbled leaving the stalls. His earlier Bath win puts him in with a good chance. It was tempting to side with Squealer at big odds, being a former C&D winner who finds himself on a good mark these days. Air Force One, below form at the Dante meeting after a slow start, and the 4yo King Of Light, who made a pleasing reappearance, are others to consider.
A fairly weak edition of this race, the standard is set by Danielle, who signed off last season with a rampant Listed win on deep ground at Doncaster. She'd earlier been running well in Group 1/2 events but quickening ground is definitely a concern. Let's go with MISS ALPILLES instead. She'd got race-fitness on her side having finished third in the Group 3 Sagaro on reappearance and will like the drying conditions. She's relying on the favourite not being at her best, but there's a chance of that. Desert Spring is respected also but definitely needs to improve on her recent French efforts.
Competitive stuff, a couple of the last-time-out winners appeal most with ZARVALI taken to follow up his recent win in a Catterick novice. That was his first run since being gelded and he scored with a bit in hand, so a mark of 80 still looks reasonable returning to handicaps. Lucky Hero is considered as well having got off the mark at Redcar last time. He can be expected to go forward from his draw and should go well, while Sporting Light, who has been in fine form on the AW but has shown some form on turf, so needs considering also. Moscow Power is unexposed and could have more to offer now upped in trip, so a good run from him would be no surprise either.
Not the deepest 3yo handicap ever run at this course, but PLAN C appeals quite a bit on this handicap/seasonal debut for the in-form Alan King. He showed plenty in three starts as a 2yo, finishing behind subsequent Dewhurst winner Gewan on debut and winding up 2025 with a second place finish behind the 99-rated Accredit in a small field at Sandown. An opening mark of 79 looks perfectly fair and stepping up to an extended 10f could suit him ideally. Bridge Of Eagles has already made a winning handicap debut/return and still looks fairly weighted, while the way Stoneacre Donny travels very much points to him being suited by the drop in trip.
Plenty to consider in this handicap, including former C&D scorer Quest For Fun, who was putting in some good late work at the Dante meeting. He should go well, but let's take a chance that BEALE STREET can reproduce his fine AW efforts back on turf. He does have form on grass and finds himself 6lb lower than when scoring at Newcastle three weeks ago. Leadman, who was arguably a bit unlucky at the Dante meeting but has a poor draw here, and Paladin, who won despite plenty not going right last time, are others to consider.
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