Listed Heron Stakes Guide 2022

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing

Sandown - May 18 2022
Sandown 18:15
3(5)
David Probert

Harrow

J: David Probert
T: Andrew Balding
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 99
Days: 14

Smart grey colt for Andrew Balding who looks to be a better two year old than three year old having not won on all three of his starts this season he looks put of his depth.

Last time out he was seen finishing last of six at Chester in the Listed Dee Stakes and though the drop to a mile will be a positive, he has it all to do in this field.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
24/09/22HAY8GS8-135
08/09/22DON7GS9-33
16/06/22ASC8GF8-1225
19/05/22SAN8GF9-25
05/05/22CHS10.5GS9-26
Sandown - May 18 2022
Sandown 18:15
6(3)
Frankie Dettori

Reach For The Moon

J: Frankie Dettori
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 113
Days: 250

The son of Sea The Stars made a superb debut at Yarmouth in May last term when a good second behind the highly talented New Science.

He the went to Royal Ascot and took Point Lonsdale all the way to the line in the Listed Chesham Stakes just being done on the nod.

The colt finally got off the mark next time out in a good Novice Stakes at Newbury, with the second since landing a hat-trick of victories.

Reach For The Moon made it back to back wins next time out in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown, winning by four lengths.

He was seen rounding off last term at Doncaster in September when a head second to Bayside Boy in the Group Two Champagne Stakes.

Having suffered a little setback he makes his season debut in this event and looks one of the more likely winners.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
18/04/23NMK9GS9-27
22/10/22SAI8Hy8-116
16/06/22ASC10GF9-22
19/05/22SAN8GF9-22
11/09/21DON7GS9-02
Sandown - May 18 2022
Sandown 18:15
5(2)
William Buick

Oneforthegutter

J: William Buick
T: Ian Williams
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 102
Days: 236

Oneforthegutter for Ian Williams is an outsider in this field off the back of his four runs to date, not yet being seen as a three year old.

Winning on his juvenile debut at Haydock over 6f, he then went to Newbury in a Listed event and finished a close fourth in an average race.

Looking for Group Three glory at Deauville in August he was a head second, but last time out up to a mile at Newmarket in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes he was outclassed massively, not staying the trip.

A lot to do on that form at this distance.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/09/23DON14.5Sft9-52
25/08/23HAM12GS9-26
28/07/23ASC12GS9-56
15/07/23ASC12GS8-111
25/06/23PON10GF10-08
Sandown - May 18 2022
Sandown 18:15
1(4)
David Egan

Akhu Najla

J: David Egan
T: Roger Varian
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: N/A
Days: 23

One of the most exciting prospects in the sport this season, Akhu Najla for Roger Varian and owners KHK Racing Ltd is a 2.7 million Guineas son of Kingman.

Seen twice to date he made his two year old debut at Leicester over seven furlongs when a good second behind a nice type for Owen Burrows in Ikhtiraaq.

Saved for this seasons campaign he returned at Yarmouth over a mile for his seasonal debut and he bolted up in a Maiden Stakes by close to seven lengths.

Stepping up into Listed company he will have to a give a career best but the yard obviously think a lot of him and he has to be feared.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
24/08/23YOR8GF9-413
29/07/23ASC8Gd9-94
24/09/22HAY8GS9-78
19/05/22SAN8GF9-23
26/04/22YAR8GF9-01
Sandown - May 18 2022
Sandown 18:15
4(1)
Tom Marquand

My Prospero

J: Tom Marquand
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: N/A
Days: 33

The penultimate runner in the race is another smart type for William Haggas who is currently in the form of his life running at a 43% strike rate.

My Prospero made a taking debut in October as a two year old finishing third behind Craven Stakes second Claymore and Noble Order for Charlie Appleby.

The form of that race behind the colt has also worked out well with other horses winning, along with My Prospero also getting off the mark on seasonal debut this term when landing a 17 runner Maiden at Newbury over a mile.

He will improve for that run and can't be dismissed.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/07/23YOR10.5Gd9-82
21/06/23ASC10Gd9-24
20/05/23NBY8Gd9-24
15/10/22ASC10GS9-33
16/07/22SAI10GS9-11
Sandown - May 18 2022
Sandown 18:15
2(6)
P J McDonald

Encourageable

J: P J McDonald
T: James Horton
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: N/A
Days: 30

The final runner of the event is the James Horton trained Encourageable who has been seen twice this season finishing second on debut at Doncaster before getting off the mark in nice style at Wolves.

Needs more in this company but could run a big race for an up and coming trainer.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
30/06/23NMK10Gd10-05
04/06/23NOT8.5GF9-45
01/04/23DON8Hy8-1312
24/09/22HAY8GS9-36
03/09/22THI8Sft9-41