15:00 Newmarket (July)
Good To FirmBetway Trophy (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
- First Prize: £51540
- 1m 6f 0y
- Class 2
- 10 runners
ITV
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
Form: 3-2265 D
OR: 103
W: 9st 12lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Fourth in this race last year off the same mark; fine efforts when runner-up in February on first two starts (2m, AW) since rejoining this yard, but reportedly made a respiratory noise next time and, following his third wind operation, he was a soundly beaten outsider in Listed race four weeks ago; others seem more solid.
Form: 223608 C
OR: 100
W: 9st 9lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Tricky to settle and is held up in rear; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 9lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year; back to near his best when eighth of 20 at Royal Ascot (2m4f) but he needs to hit a new high if he's to win this.
Form: 640770 D
OR: 97
W: 9st 6lb
Age: 7 yo Colt
Third in this race last year off 3lb higher; competitive only once (Saudi Arabia in February) from six starts this year and there's been no win for very nearly three years, so he's far from being the percentage call.
Form: 41-261 D
OR: 92
W: 9st 1lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
All the rage in the betting for his first two starts this season, with the line coming a touch too soon on first occasion (1m2f); rather muted on the step up to 1m4f behind Wine Dark Sea at Ascot (good to firm) next time but the combination of 1m6f and first-time headgear worked a treat at Goodwood (good) seven weeks ago when he travelled much the best on his way to a tidy win; 5lb rise may well underestimate what he had in the tank.
Form: 534140
OR: 92
W: 9st 1lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.
Form: /21-51 D
OR: 90
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Second run after wind surgery saw him better than ever back on turf for a clearcut win in 12-runner race on the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) when last seen nearly ten weeks ago; 7lb rise demands better still but he's a regular Flat winner who needs respect.
Form: 80-742
OR: 90
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 8 yo Gelding
Won the 1m1f Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September 2022 but his solitary win since was in Bahrain (1m2f) in January 2025; went close over 1m4f last August and runner-up over 11.4f at Windsor 13 days ago, but this trip (well beaten trying 1m5f once last year) is doubtful territory.
OUR TIP
Form: 162-11
OR: 83
W: 8st 12lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
Won three of his five handicaps, including warm events on good to firm at Ascot (1m4f) and Carlisle (1m3f) in his two starts this season; firmly in charge on first occasion and absolutely hacked up when 5-6 favourite in the latter 16 days ago; shoulders a 6lb penalty today, whereas his mark for future engagements is 11lb higher still; that suggests he wins today if he stays this new trip, and the dam being sister to a 1m5f-2m winner gives plenty of encouragement; deservedly a hot favourite.
Form: 008-78 CD
OR: 88
W: 8st 11lb
Age: 7 yo Gelding
Second in this race in 2024 and won it last year (good to firm); now he has a 4lb lower mark than last year; that's having failed to finish in the first six in any of his seven races since, but at least his latest start was better than reappearance and it's not unheard of for runners from this stable to surge back to form.
Form: 0-4350 D
OR: 86
W: 8st 9lb
Age: 4 yo Colt
Respectable third to Goblet Of Fire on the other Newmarket track (1m6f, good to firm) in May in a first-time visor; perhaps any beneficial effect from the headgear has worn off, as he ran poorly on latest start, but he is now 1lb below his last winning mark (from last July) and the visor is removed.
Terms and conditions
*Odds displayed on this page are sourced directly from online bookmakers. Please check all details before placing your bet(s). 18+ only.
Betting Forecast
33/1 Roaring Legend, 25/1 Beylerbeyi, 40/1 Real Dream, 4/1 Valedictory, 25/1 Asgards Captain, 6/1 Goblet Of Fire, 12/1 Majestic, Evs Wine Dark Sea, 14/1 Oneforthegutter, 20/1 Pole Star
Verdict
It will be very hard to beat WINE DARK SEA if he’s in the form he was at Carlisle 16 days ago. The biggest question he faces is regarding stamina, as he’s never raced beyond 1m4f, but his dam is sister to a pretty useful 1m5f-2m winner and half-sister to others who stayed well. While cases can be made for others, including three of last year’s principals, who were headed then by Oneforthegutter, easily the greatest dangers on 2026 turf evidence are Valedictory and Goblet Of Fire, who are preferred in that order.[Richard Austen]