1

Dear My Friend

Gained all-weather victories – including valuable events – early in the year under positive tactics. But has failed to shine since admittedly in some really strong company.

2

Holloway Boy

Good efforts over similar trips to this on his last three starts, latterly when third of 16 in a similar level handicap to this at Goodwood just beaten by better handicapped horses.

3

La Trinidad

Delivered a power-packed finish to win a handicap at Thirsk this month, a career best performance even though he is now seven. Masses of York experience including two wins.

4

Elnajmm

Sure to be popular after looking much improved this season, since being gelded. Met traffic but still too strong for eleven rivals in the closing stages of a 1600m Ascot handicap last month.

5

Blue For You

Not at his best in this race last year. A different story over this course and distance last month, winning the same handicap that he had won the previous year. Not so good last time.

6

Bopedro

Some good and not so good runs at York during his long career. May need to creep further down the handicap before being ready to win again.

7

Metal Merchant

All good efforts this season including a defeat of 20 rivals in a 1600m Newbury handicap. He now sits on a career high handicap mark but is unlikely to be too far from the money.

8

Theoryofeverything

Nothing special from his previous start here but he did narrowly win a soft-ground Hamilton handicap on 13 August.

9

New Image

Likely to be well fancied, having been highly progressive in handicaps and the rise to this trip appeared to bring about further progress with a brave victory at Ascot this month.

10

Mirsky

Hasn’t won since moving from France but his quite close fifth at Haydock this month was encouraging. The stable have a good record in this.

11

Catch The Paddy

Has won at this track, but he has finished last on his two most recent starts which is not encouraging as far as today is concerned.

12

James McHenry

All four of his runs this year have been solid performances and he looked all set to win when going clear at Thirsk this month, only to be caught by a fast finisher.

13

Mr King

First start for this stable having twice won in Ireland, latterly when landing a 1600m handicap at Naas in June. Yet to tackle ground that is faster than good.

14

Bennetot

Formerly French trained, finally getting off the mark here when swooping from the back to win at Windsor a week ago. An interesting outsider here.

15

Thunder Run

Progressive and the winner of two of his four starts. Reportedly became unbalanced at Thirsk on his latest start, finishing third of ten as an odds-on favourite. Can do better.

16

Stone Soldier

Led for most of the trip in a 1400m handicap here in June, one of his best performances for some time.  However, he looks better over that trip than this one.

17

Aragon Castle

Not beaten far in a soft-ground handicap over this course and distance last October. In good shape on all of his last four starts, and another good show is very possible.

18

Cruyff Turn

A winner over this course and distance back in 2022, but there have been plenty of disappointments at this track since including in this race last year.

19

Austrian Theory

Hasn’t won since leading throughout at Epsom over a year ago. Some fair efforts this year and his handicap mark is gradually sinking.