National Stud Handicap Stakes (gbbplus Race)

15:45 Newmarket (July) Thu 20 Aug 2026 1m4f0y Class 3 Good to Firm 6 runners

Mr Fox’s call

Be Patient

SPECULATIVE Advised 11/4 Est. 32%

🥉 3RD

Mr Fox says

Be Patient (SR 101, 11/4) carries the joint-lowest weight at 8-12 and holds the highest Saturday Rating in the field — a meaningful SR edge over Round The Table (SR 97) and Tycoon/Race To The Stars (both SR 91). The market has moved decisively in its favour, shortening 28% since opening, which is a significant steaming signal in a six-runner Class 3 handicap. The form line of 31-12 shows a win last time out (rightmost digit) and consistent competitiveness, and trainer Edward Bethell runs at a solid 16% strike rate. The class rise (↑1) and a mark 7lb higher than at last win are genuine negatives, but the weight advantage over top-weight Astro King (10-4) and the SR superiority over all rivals make this the most compelling multi-signal case in the field. Each-way alternative: Round The Table. Main danger: Round The Table — Round The Table (SR 97, 2/1) carries a featherweight 8-13 as a progressive three-year-old with a form line of 511 — two consecutive wins — and while distance and going are unproven, the light weight and upward trajectory make it the most dangerous rival to Be Patient's claim.

Verify· #13281

Full result

Winner: Race To The Stars (IRE) at SP 15/8F. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

1 Race To The Stars Charlie Appleby · Toby Moore(7) 9/4
2 First Officer Jane Chapple-Hyam · Sorin Moldoveanu(7) 7/1
3 Be Patient Fox #1 Edward Bethell · Jamie Spencer 3/1
4 Astro King Daniel & Claire Kubler · Ebrahim Nader 16/1
5 Round The Table Fox #2 Tom Clover · Jack Mitchell 15/8
— Tycoon Fox #3 Kevin Philippart De Foy · Darragh Keenan 6/1

Top 4 — how each finished

1 Be Patient 11/4 🥉 3RD
2 Round The Table 2/1 5TH
3 Tycoon 6/1