Sky Bet Stayers Handicap Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

16:10 York Wed 19 Aug 2026 2m0f56y Class 2 Good 17 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Valedictory

SPECULATIVE Advised 9/2 Est. 28%

7TH

Mr Fox says

Valedictory (SR 104, 9/2) is the highest-rated horse in the field by a meaningful margin and carries a competitive 9-5, giving it a weight advantage over Small Fry (SR 103, 9-6) despite near-identical ability ratings. The market has moved decisively in its favour — a 24% shortening from opening — which combined with GoingFit:+ confirms the horse handles today's good ground well. The Gosden/Buick combination strikes at 25%/20% respectively, one of the strongest connections pairings on the card, and a recent form line of -26115 shows progressive improvement culminating in back-to-back wins. The MarkMv:+3 rise is minimal and should not negate the form advantage. Each-way alternative: Small Fry. Main danger: Small Fry — Small Fry (SR 103, 5/2) is the joint-highest-rated runner and has market support (in 8%) from a powerful O'Brien yard; at just 1lb inferior SR to Valedictory with solid recent form showing a win two starts back, it represents the most credible alternative if the going suits better than GoingFit:- suggests.

Verify· #13100

Full result

Winner: Small Fry (IRE) at SP 2/1F. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.