14:20 York

Wednesday 17 May 2017

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:0517:35

Sky Bet First Race Special Handicap

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 2m 12.71s

(2)

Not So Sleepy^h,t¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: H Morrison| OR: 100| D

16/1

Not won since a Listed win at Chester in 2015 and doesn't look a straight-forward sort, often taking a keen hold in his races. All best efforts have come on soft ground, so that's likely to be in his favour but he made need this run having not been seen since November.

Form: 046538-

(15)

Lustrous Light²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M Beckett| OR: 100| D

25/1

Turned over an even money favourite in a three-runner affair at Fairyhouse last summer but not been in the same sort of form since and well beaten in three subsequent efforts. Starts out for a new yard now and drop in class should help.

Form: 1715-54

(17)

Shabeeb²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 100| D

14/1

Shaped as if amiss on final start of 2016 and not been seen since. Had finished a fair fifth of nine at Newmarket the time before in a Group 3 but all his best efforts have come on fast ground and he's not likely to get those conditions here. Probably best watched on his return to action.

Form: 6/1156-

(14)

Speed Company^h²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 99| D

12/1

Strong stayer who completed a hat-trick at the start of last season before losing his way a little. Got back on track at the end of last season and okay on his comeback run at Epsom; each-way player if he comes on for that run and this jockey is two wins from five starts on him.

Form: 04641-5

(12)

Erik The Red³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99| D

8/1

Recorded a hat-trick at the end of 2015 but not won since. Has run well in defeat now and again but remains on a career high mark and others probably better handicapped.

Form: 49372-6

(7)

Saunter³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fortune| T: D Menuisier| OR: 99| D

11/1

Improved on his French form to win at Goodwood on GB debut and followed that up with a win at Newmarket. Struggled a little in Listed company last time but may have needed that run and there should be more to come from this mark. Forecast rain should also be in his favour.

Form: 41182-6

(16)

Mythical Madness^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

50/1

Best suited to fast ground on AW surfaces so forecast conditions have to be a concern and he's been below form on recent starts. Hard to fancy here.

Form: 152807

(20)

Kentuckyconnection²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Beasley| T: B Smart| OR: 97

50/1

Failed to build on his fifth in the 2,000 Guineas last season and still only has a solitary maiden win to his name from his debut. Not managed to place in 10 starts since and likely that this mark over estimates him.

Form: 50458-5

(6)

Oasis Fantasy¹⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 97

20/1

Just one win in his last 25 starts and shown nothing in two outings for this yard in Dubai. Should get the strong pace he needs to aim at but he's still 8lb above his last winning mark and possibly better over a little further.

Form: 5409-85

(5)

Master Carpenter²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: P Makin| T: B R Millman| OR: 95| CD

12/1

Unplaced on his last 15 starts and becoming attractively handicapped as a result, now 9lb lower than his latest success, a win over C&D in 2015. Needs the return to this course to spark a revival.

Form: 3546-00

(9)

Repercussion^h²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 95

10/1

Plenty of promise on his GB debut at Newmarket last time when having his first run since leaving Andre Fabre. Entitled to come on for that effort and softer ground could see him in an even better light so warrants respect.

Form: 2212-6

(18)

Cosmeapolitan¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: F Sweeney| T: A King| OR: 95

16/1

Won his sole start over hurdles at Newbury in December and not disgraced when returned to this sphere at Newmarket last time. Probably better suited to a little further than this though and may struggle off a career high mark.

Form: 41292-7

(19)

Awake My Soul¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 94| D

25/1

Fair second at Redcar last time and he's an effective hold-up performer when he gets a fair pace to aim at. Has gone well over C&D a couple of times in the past and holds each-way claims but his handicap mark could only be described as fair.

Form: 430762-

(4)

Qassem¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 94

11/1

Justified favouritism winning at Craon when trained in France but made a low-key debut for this yard at Doncaster last time. Return to softer ground may help though and he's been gelded in the interim. Market can guide.

Form: 221238-

(13)

Final¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93| D

25/1

Remains 6lb above his last winning mark after a slightly disappointing effort at Newmarket last time out. Type to bounce back but best turf efforts have come on a sound surface and not sure to get that here.

Form: 192U25

(8)

Innocent Touch²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93| BF| D

20/1

Bit of a hit and miss sort and not been in much form in two starts this year, probably paying the price for sitting too close to a fast pace when favourite at Epsom last time. Still looks a little vulnerable off a mark he has never won off and unlikely to be improving at this point.

Form: 2510-37

(10)

Lovell³³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 93

6/1

Made a promising start to his career but only made it to the racecourse twice last year and not seen for some time. Exciting prospect but may need this run on return from a significant absence and his last effort at Ascot was poor (possibly amiss).

Form: 021/20-

(3)

Al Neksh²⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: L Dettori| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91| BF| D

7/1

Three wins from six starts and he doesn't look the easiest ride at times. Unproven on soft ground, with all his best performances coming on a sound surface but his sire enjoyed soft conditions and he could be a different proposition this season if he's learnt how to settle better. Suspicion is that he will prove himself to be better than this mark and trainer's runners demand respect around here.

Form: 311014-

(11)

Beardwood^p¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 91| D

25/1

Done well for this yard and has scored three times in 11 starts. Proved a little disappointing on his comeback run but he's the type to have needed that and further progress not ruled out this year. Jockey rides this course very well.

Form: 69113-8

(1)

Two For Two^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 91

25/1

Just one win from his last 27 starts and yet to score for this yard and his previous yard. Knocking on the door recently with two runner-up efforts but a 4lb rise in the weights leaves him vulnerable.

Form: 800-622

Forecasts

Lovell (6/1), Al Neksh (7/1), Erik The Red (8/1), Repercussion (10/1), Qassem (11/1), Saunter (11/1), Master Carpenter (12/1), Speed Company (12/1), Shabeeb (14/1), Not So Sleepy (16/1), Cosmeapolitan (16/1), Oasis Fantasy (20/1), Innocent Touch (20/1), Awake My Soul (25/1), Final (25/1), Beardwood (25/1), Lustrous Light (25/1), Two For Two (25/1), Mythical Madness (50/1), Kentuckyconnection (50/1)

There's two exciting French recruits in the line-up who come into the race with similar profiles and may prove to be on lenient marks. The gelding operation may have done worked the oracle for Qassem and Hugo Palmer's runners often come on for their seasonal reappearances but narrow preference is for the Charlie Fellowes trained REPERCUSSION. He ran a sound race on his debut for this yard and the forecast soft ground could see him in an even better light. There should also be more to come from Al Neksh who gets the services of Frankie Dettori, a jockey who rides this course particularly well.