3251m – Turf
1 |
Makawee |
Kept on well from off the pace to finish third in this race last year, though on a 4lb higher mark now. Better chance here than in the G2 company on his last two starts. |
2 |
Elysian Flame |
Competing in marathon handicaps at Ascot and Goodwood on his last two starts, not beaten far each time. A reliable stayer who would be happiest on good or slow ground. |
3 |
Nicholas T |
An 11-times winner over a wide variety of trips and surfaces. He had a poor York record until winning a handicap here in June. Likely to be held up. |
4 |
Island Brave |
Has won more races on all-weather surfaces, but he did charge from the back to win an Ascot handicap at around this trip about a year ago. Recent starts encouraging. |
5 |
Who Dares Wins |
Has competed in all types of races – including G1 company – and often over even longer trips than this – including a Royal Ascot win last year. Disappointing lately. |
6 |
Future Investment |
The stable have done well in this race. Proven at this trip and some of his best runs have come in recent starts – including at Goodwood last time. Tends to challenge late. |
7 |
Get Shirty |
Gained some staying wins when trained in France, including at top tracks Chantilly and Deauville. Has joined a top northern stable for this first UK run. |
8 |
Here And Now |
First start of 2021 and not encouraging that he has previously wanted his first run off a break. In 2018, he won this handicap on fast ground. |
9 |
Hochfeld |
A front-runner who is a regular in long-distance handicaps. However rivals have been sweeping past him on recent starts and he may need to drop more in the weights. |
10 |
Themaxwecan |
Was a good staying handicapper with winning efforts over around this distance, especially on a fast surface. However recent starts have not been good. |
11 |
Bodyline |
From a stable whose runners often improve for a rise in distance and he is a good example. Only caught by a race-fit rival when almost making all on his recent return. |
12 |
Scaramanga |
For the leading jumps trainer, he had improved in that sphere and carried that on to the Flat when returning from a break to win at Newbury. Up 7lb but still with chances. |
13 |
Prince Imperial |
Stays this trip well, and, although he only had three rivals to beat, his recent front-running victory at Pontefract was a career best effort. Happy on fast or slow ground. |
14 |
Rajinsky |
Made no impression at Goodwood last time, but some good efforts over this sort of distance earlier in the season. And only just beaten in this race last year. |
15 |
Arcadian Sunrise |
In great form, beating 16 rivals over hurdles – over a similar trip to this – at Galway last month. Unexposed on the Flat and may be nicely handicapped. Wants a strong gallop. |
16 |
Platform Nineteen |
Won four consecutive handicaps in 2019, and came back from a long absence to win another one, at Beverley. Not at all disgraced over a marathon distance at Goodwood. |
17 |
Torcello |
With in-form rider David Probert riding for the first time, he arrives here off a break since a front-running victory at Newmarket in May. Soft ground would be ideal. |
1081m – Turf
1 |
May Sonic |
More experienced on all-weather than turf but he has won a slow-ground turf handicap. A gap arrived just in time for him to quicken and grab the money at Chelmsford last time. |
2 |
Hurricane Ivor |
Dead-heated at Sandown last month, but faded after making a brief forward move at Goodwood last time. This flatter track and lesser trip may be helpful to his cause. |
3 |
El Astronaute |
Mostly competes over a bare 1000m but has winning form at this trip including in this race in 2018. It was a rare poor show last time. Usually very fast from the gate. |
4 |
Snazzy Jazzy |
His six wins have all come at around 1200m and on a slow surface, which seems essential to his chance. Has run quite well on two of his three starts since joining this stable. |
5 |
Mountain Peak |
The faster the ground the better for him, and a strong pace to aim at is ideal. Came from the back to gain his ninth career win right on the wire at Ascot last time. Up 4lb for that. |
6 |
Pendleton |
For whatever reason he didn’t show up at Ascot last time but had previously revealed his liking for York when winning a soft-ground 1000m sprint. |
7 |
Jawwaal |
All turf wins have come on a good or fast surface and versatile tripwise. Always travelling like the winner at Doncaster two starts back, and chances if repeating that. |
8 |
Desert Safari |
Encouraging that he ran so well on his only previous visit here – third in a valuable 1200m dash. Also only just failed to win at Ascot this month, close to a career best. |
9 |
Whenthedealinsdone |
Improved performances since being gelded, twice winning handicaps at around 1000m including at Goodwood last time. May still be ahead of the handicapper. |
10 |
Lahore |
With so many in-form contenders here this guy will have to significantly improve on the basis of recent modest efforts. But he did win a sprint here off a higher mark last year. |
11 |
Ostilio |
Back in 2018 he won a 1600m G2 at Longchamp. Now a handicap sprinter but this year’s efforts have not been encouraging. |
12 |
Lord Riddiford |
He is a good sprint handicapper when he feels like it especially on a slow surface, conditions that saw him win from a tricky position at Goodwood in July. |
13 |
Twilight Calls |
Favourite on his last four starts, winning twice – at Doncaster and Newmarket – both wins on fast ground. Maybe better suited to this flatter track than Goodwood, last time. |
14 |
Live In The Moment |
Highly progressive last year, winning four straight handicaps including two over 1000m here at York. His all-weather third on his belated 2021 return was encouraging. |
15 |
Major Jumbo |
Twice a winner of slow ground 1200m handicaps here earlier in his career. Nothing special from recent starts but at least his handicap mark is becoming easier. |
16 |
Nomadic Empire |
Whilst he hasn’t won here, he has gone close to victory on all his four starts at York. He also responded well to pressure when second at Doncaster last time. |
17 |
Copper Knight |
Very popular here having won five 1000m sprints at York, most recently beating 16 rivals in May. Another fine effort last time, at Doncaster. Best on slow ground, but versatile. |
18 |
Ornate |
This veteran speedster is a ten times winner but this track does not seem to suit him well. Also recent starts have been generally disappointing. |
19 |
Mondammej |
Mostly running well since winning a fast ground handicap sprint in April so his handicap mark remains challenging. Has performed with credit at this track. |
20 |
Soul Seeker |
Has responded well to pressure, winning two of his last three starts including here in a special race for ‘jump race’ riders. Now on a career high handicap mark, but he’s in great form. |
21 |
First Company |
No show on his last two starts, in tough handicaps. His only career win coming before then, front-running but having to only beat two rivals. Perhaps best on fast ground. |
22 |
Indian Sounds |
Hasn’t shone on his two previous runs at this track, but in good shape lately only narrowly beaten in two of his last three starts. Best on quick ground. |