This 1m6f Heritage Handicap is one of the highlights on Sunday’s Newmarket card and brings together a competitive field of ten older horses. A few arrive on the back of promising recent efforts, while others are returning from longer breaks and could be well worth monitoring in the market for clues to their readiness. The ground is currently described as Good (Good to Firm in places), and drying conditions should suit several of these better stayers.


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Leading Contenders

LIAM SWAGGER (James Owen / Harry Davies)
Timeform Adjusted Rating: 112
A strong-finishing third in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, he translated that form encouragingly back to the Flat at Chelmsford recently, running on late after being held up. That form has a solid look to it, and from an unchanged mark of 83, he looks very well handicapped if progressing again. Still relatively unexposed at staying trips and arrives in good order. Timeform notes his staying effort “shaped well”, and the stable has a good strike rate with horses over this distance.

KIHAVAH (Adrian Keatley / PJ McDonald)
Timeform Adjusted Rating: 113
A game winner over this trip at Musselburgh a fortnight ago, bouncing back from a rare mistake over hurdles at Ayr. Carries a 4 lb penalty here, which asks more from a mark of 105, but he’s admirably consistent and effective under a variety of conditions. Timeform highlight him as a “flagbearer” for the stable and his versatility is a big plus. Has to concede weight all round.

ALIGN THE STARS (Charlie Johnston / Joe Fanning)
Timeform Adjusted Rating: 110
Completed a hat-trick in middle-distance handicaps last summer, including over this trip at Goodwood. Disappointed at Musselburgh behind Kihavah last time but that came on unsuitably tacky ground. He had previously run with credit in a Listed contest, and if returning to that level, he’s a major player. Johnston yard remains in fair form.


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Main Dangers

WILD WAVES (Andrew Balding / Oisin Murphy)
Timeform Adjusted Rating: 108
Won back-to-back handicaps early last season and ran fourth in the Melrose before losing his way. Gelded over the winter and reportedly ran too fresh on reappearance behind Kihavah. He’s entitled to come on plenty for that effort, and connections won this race in 2022 with Cemhaan. One to take seriously if there’s market strength behind him.

KNIGHTSWOOD (Charlie Johnston / Callum Shepherd)
Timeform Adjusted Rating: 107
Comes here fit and in form after winning a Ripon handicap just eight days ago. Still potentially well treated on old form and stays this trip well. Needs to back up quickly if turning out again, but the stable has won three renewals of this race since 2017, and he has the right profile for one of their gambits.


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Interesting Outsiders

BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS (Sir Mark Prescott / Luke Morris)
Timeform Adjusted Rating: 104
Lightly raced and a potential improver. Not seen since a quiet comeback in a falsely-run Newcastle race over a year ago, but his 3yo form suggested promise over staying trips. Sir Mark Prescott has a 26% strike rate over 10f+ in recent seasons, and this runner is best watched for market signals given the 373-day absence. If primed, he could easily outperform his mark.

ONEFORTHEGUTTER (Ian Williams / Billy Loughnane)
Timeform Adjusted Rating: 106
A proven big-field handicapper with placed efforts in the Ebor and November Handicap last season. Slightly higher in the weights now, but clearly capable when fresh and another for whom any positive market move would be notable. Tends to go well when under the radar.


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Others to Note

ARTISTIC STAR returns after a 102-day break and has been lightly raced since a good fourth in a Sandown Group 3 last season. There’s a bit to prove after a tame effort at Kempton in January and he’s best watched for now.

STORY HORSE ran well on reappearance at Southwell over this trip but faces tougher opposition here. His trainer does have a decent record when sending just one to a card, so may outrun his odds.

CAVERN CLUB was never involved on return at Thirsk and will need a revival here, though he did well over hurdles in the spring. Looks up against it at this level on Flat form.



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Trends and Trainer Notes

Charlie Johnston (Align The Stars, Knightswood) and his father Mark before him have a strong record in this event, winning it in 2017 (Permian) and 2022 (Cemhaan).

Horses returning after 60+ days off include Blindedbythelights, Artistic Star, and Oneforthegutter – market movements on these are worth monitoring.

3 of the last 4 winners had run within the previous 21 days and carried less than 9-5, suggesting the race often goes to a fit, well-handicapped type.



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Conclusion

A wide-open Heritage handicap where Liam Swagger brings standout recent form and an attractive mark, with plenty of substance in the Timeform numbers and trends to back his case. Align The Stars and Wild Waves are forgiven recent efforts and could bounce back, while Blindedbythelights and Oneforthegutter may be overpriced if the market speaks in their favour.

With 10 runners declared, each-way backers will find reasonable depth here—Align The Stars and Knightswood, in particular, make the shortlist at likely double-figure prices.