17:20 York

Saturday 23 August 2025

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

Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 2m 10.71s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

Westridge^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: R L Moore| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 100| D

10/3

High head carriage hasn't halted his progression, improving with each run this season. Looked well and was strong in the betting prior when an impressive winner at Glorious Goodwood (9.9f) last month, travelled strongly and drew clear readily. Up 8 lb but should remain competitive.

Form: 7-52121

(1)

Sir Busker^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 100| CD

28/1

Won this race last year off a 5 lb higher mark. Has been cut some slack by the handicapper and returned to form when second in a field of mostly exposed sorts at Sandown (10f) last month. Always on the back foot after an early stumble at Goodwood last time and needs to bounce back.

Form: 8-98020

(3)

Erzindjan⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Ray Dawson| T: T Kent| OR: 99

9/1

Smart performer at best but struggled last year, including sole start for Paddy Twomey. Belied long odds on reappearance/debut for new connections, running a cracker to finish fourth from a less than ideal position in the John Smith's Cup over C&D. Remains to be seen if he can back that up.

Form: 77000-4

(11)

Greek Order²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M L W Bell| OR: 97| D

5/1

Second in 2023 Cambridgeshire for the Charlton yard. Underperformed during US stint but has quickly found form top back in Britain, hitting the frame in a trio of top-end handicaps, latest when fourth in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m) earlier this month. Big player stepping back up in trip.

Form: 7-84434

(12)

Tony Montana²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Rowan Scott| T: M L W Bell| OR: 96| D

22/1

Useful sort was only collared late when runner-up in a C&D handicap in May. Turned in a rare poor effort in first-time cheekpieces at Royal Ascot (1m) and fared no better with headgear shelved at Goodwood last month. Will need to recapture the form he showed in the spring.

Form: 35-2200

(14)

Marhaba Ghaiyyath²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C Johnston| OR: 102

11/2

Improving sort is building up a fine record, runner-up behind a smart sort of Charlie Appleby's at Newmarket and progressed again when runner-up behind a potential group horse in an 18-runner handicap at Glorious Goodwood last month. Should give another good account.

Form: 172122

(2)

Ron O²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: D Thompson| OR: 89| CD

12/1

Races off same mark as when winning a similar event over C&D for previous connections last June. Shaped as though retaining all of his ability when fifth in the same race on debut for new yard but not in the same form over 7f at Redcar last time. Decent record over C&D but would need a career-best.

Form: 250-605

(8)

Dain Ma Nut In⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 88| CD

11/1

Ended last season on the up, bringing up a quick-fire hat-trick at Ayr in September and very much got back on track upped in trip when landing a 9-runner handicap over C&D last month (all 4 successes when making the running). Tougher ask to repeat the feat upped markedly in class.

Form: 11-3961

(5)

Seagolazo^b,t1²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R Kingscote| T: H Palmer| OR: 93

33/1

All the better for his reappearance in the Britannia at Royal Ascot when close third in a 1m Newmarket July handicap. Found things too competitive upped in trip at Glorious Goodwood (9.9f) last month and isn't necessarily bred to shine over this far. Bit to prove in first time tongue tie.

Form: 742-030

(13)

Castle Stuart⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93

28/1

Fairly useful juvenile improved to record a second career when enjoying the run of the race in a 6-runner Musselburgh handicap over 9f last month. Sold from Karl Burke for 165,000 gns subsequently and while still low mileage, circumstances unlikely to be as favourable on first start for new yard.

Form: 5315-31

(10)

Classic Encounter^p⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 86| BF| C

22/1

Proved better than ever when resuming winning ways at this track (8.8f) in June, value for extra having conceded first run. Ran at least as well in defeat at Sandown next time but probably found the race coming too soon when well held over C&D just 6 days on. Worth another chance following a break.

Form: 123146

(9)

Dark Moon Rising^b²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Saffie Osborne| T: K A Ryan| OR: 85| C

22/1

Solid on the all-weather last winter/spring but has struggled back on turf. Hinted at a return to form when mid-field in John Smith's Cup here but failed to build on that when well beaten over 1½m last time. On a handy mark but remains to be seen whether he can capitalise back down in trip

Form: 387078

(4)

Thunder Wonder^p1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 92

25/1

Both wins this year have come at Musselburgh but has struggled in strongly-contested handicaps on turf since. Could never land a blow from off the pace on the all-weather earlier this month and likely faces an uphill task back on turf with cheekpieces now applied.

Form: 106587

(15)

Zain Blue^p³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: J Butler| OR: 82| C

16/1

Signed off 2024 with 1m victory here and ran creditably returned to this track when fourth on penultimate start over C&D, proving his stamina for the trip. Ran too badly to be true at Yarmouth subsequently and ought to be more competitive if back on song.

Form: 51-9540

(6)

Per Contra²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: S De Sousa| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82

6/1

3-time winner for Ollie Sangster who has been in good form for present stable, including when third over 1½m here last month. Produced another solid effort when third of 13 in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f) on Thursday and he merits respect if turned out quickly.

Form: 352363

Forecasts

Westridge (10/3), Greek Order (5/1), Marhaba Ghaiyyath (11/2), Per Contra (6/1), Erzindjan (9/1), Dain Ma Nut In (11/1), Ron O (12/1), Zain Blue (16/1), Dark Moon Rising (22/1), Tony Montana (22/1), Classic Encounter (22/1), Thunder Wonder (25/1), Castle Stuart (28/1), Sir Busker (28/1), Seagolazo (33/1)

GREEK ORDER was sent off a 5/2 favourite when runner-up in the Cambridgeshire a couple of years ago and has looked every bit as good for new connections, hitting the frame in a trio of top-end handicaps this season. Stepping back up to 1¼m should suit and he appeals most ahead of Marhaba Ghaiyyath who is progressive and has only been beaten by potential pattern level performers the last twice. Classic Encounter looks well worth another go over this trip, while Per Contra is admirably consistent.