Steve Ryder previews the 2026 Summer Plate at Market Rasen and picks out his best bet.
The Summer Plate is a handicap chase run at Market Rasen over 2m5½f. This year it will be run on Saturday 18th July at 2:45 for which there are currently 16 entries.
Summer Plate Winners, Trends & Stats
Franky Du Berlais won this race twice in a row in 2021 and 2022 prior to the race being downgraded from a Grade 3 Handicap Chase to a Premier Handicap Chase in 2023.
- 10 of the previous 12 winners were rated 128 or higher
- 10 of the previous 12 winners had run in the previous 48 days
- 9 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
- 8 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 run at Market Rasen
Summer Plate 2026 Odds
Summer Plate Runners Guide
KINGSTON NARCISSUS
Seven-year-old who has finished 2nd on both of his starts since joining Dan Skelton from Rebecca Menzies having won at Hexham in May. He was only beaten ½ length over 2 miles at Uttoxeter last time and he should appreciate the step back up in trip off only a 2lb higher mark.
GRAND CLERMONT
A two-time winner over 3 miles this season since joining David Pipe from France. His wide margin victories have both come under talented 5lb claimer Rian Corcoran who retains the ride back down in trip under a 5lb penalty.
QUEENSBURY BOY
Bought for £75,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal sale by Mickey Bowen but has only won a walkover since. The seven-year-old was only beaten a neck when 2nd at Uttoxeter on his penultimate start before finishing 8th off the mark last time at Uttoxeter.
SOUL ICON
A neck 2nd in this race in 2024 off a mark of 137 before winning the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Handicap Chase under Harry Cobden later that season off a mark of 143. He has now dropped down to a mark of 141 and has won fresh in the past previously.
MAHONS GLORY
Ten-year-old who has won four times since joining Dylan Cunha including last time over this course and distance off a mark of 139. The handicapper has raised him 4lbs for that two length success which will make this more difficult.
Summer Plate Trainers & Jockeys to Watch
Peter Bowen is the leading trainer in this race with eight victories in the race. Stately Home (1997), Ballycassidy (2003), Yes Sir (2006), Iron Man (2007), Snoopy Loopy (2008), More Buck’s (2018) and Francky Du Berlais (2021 & 2022). His son Mickey Bowen has taken over the licence in recent years and this year trains Queensbury Boy, Pour Les Filles and King Roly.
Harry Cobden has won the race for the previous three years on Born Famous (2023), Sure Touch (2024) and Ballysax Hank (2025) and looks set to ride Soul Icon this year.
Summer Plate 2026 Betting Tips
BREIZH RIVER (best priced at 10/1) is the only horse who qualifies based on the four trends highlighted above. He has been running consistently well in 2026 with form figures of 1251321 including victories at Musselburgh, Kelso and Cartmel. He won in a first-time visor last time off a mark of 127 and he looks sure to run well off only a 4lb higher mark.
Recommended Bet: Breizh River 10/1 (0.5pt ew)
