16:35 York

Wednesday 17 May 2017

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

Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 1m 28.18s

(18)

Senator²⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91

10/1

Struggled when upped to Listed company last year after a couple of easy wins at Carlisle and Leicester last summer on good to firm ground. Has given the impression a step up in trip would suit but his handicap mark looks high enough for what he's achieved in his career so far.

Form: 117-

(1)

Parnassian¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Joey Haynes| T: K R Burke| OR: 89

20/1

Won his first two starts but a little disappointing in four starts since. More exposed than some of these and has finished unplaced on both starts on soft ground.

Form: 110423-

(11)

Orewa¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: B Ellison| OR: 88

16/1

Won back-to-back starts last year including an Irish raid to the Curragh in a very rich race, before acquitting himself well in Listed company at Redcar. Very disappointing on return at Doncaster last time and has a bit to prove now.

Form: 35119-9

(9)

Flashy Snapper¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 88

16/1

Put in a much improved showing to win a Southwell maiden easily on his second start. Refused to settle at Doncaster last time and gave himself no chance; needs to settle better if he's to have a chance here.

Form: 9-17

(3)

Mazyoun^b¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: H Palmer| OR: 88

7/1

Didn't need to improve to win a Newcastle maiden at a very short price in October after knocking on the door on his three previous starts. Not backed that up since in handicap company though and looks vulnerable off this mark.

Form: 2231-45

(5)

Tawny Port²²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: T Eaves| T: J G Given| OR: 85

16/1

Won a good class nursery at Ayr in September before being outclassed in Redcar's valuable Two-Year-Old Trophy on his next start, but overall a progressive type that should go on this year. May need a good pace to come off to be seen to best effect.

Form: 111610-

(6)

Battered¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 83

4/1

Progressive as a juvenile, after being gelded, and ran respectably when fifth of nine at Pontefract on his reappearance. Pulled too hard last time and hung in the closing stages, giving him very little chance of winning but obvious claims if he can settle better for a top jockey and a trainer who has a fine record around here.

Form: 6312-54

(2)

Monks Stand^b1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82

50/1

Finished a well beaten last on two starts for this yard and plenty to prove at present. Finished well back on his only start on soft ground and needs the blinkers to bring out improvement.

Form: 7672-96

(13)

Golden Apollo¹⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 81

16/1

Improved for the switch to fast ground on his final start of 2016. Up 6lb for that and not sure to enjoy the step back up in trip so possibly best watched on reappearance.

Form: 634391-

(17)

Starlight Romance²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Sammy Jo Bell⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80| D

9/1

Beat a subsequent winner at Beverley on her return to action last month and ran well here on debut last season. Could come on for her most recent run and 5lb rise looks fair. More to come and should go well.

Form: 34322-1

(14)

Muscika¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Bentley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 79

14/1

Won a weak looking maiden on return at Thirsk last time out and may come on for that but the mark the assessor has given him looks on the high side. Needs everything to fall right and not sure to enjoy the expected softer ground.

Form: 65-1

(10)

Lualiwa²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 79| D

16/1

Gelding operation appeared to work when taking a Chelmsford maiden on his fifth start but had the run of the race and couldn't follow it up in handicap company last time. Likely to struggle again in an even stronger contest.

Form: 3734-13

(8)

Harbour Grey¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 79

12/1

Knew her job on her debut, despite going off a big enough price and confirmed that promise with a win at Doncaster last time. Her sire was Zoffany so good chance she will handle softer conditions and yard have started the season in fine form. Should go well.

Form: 2-1

(16)

Sir Reginald Brown³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| D

5/1

Won a weak looking apprentice maiden on debut and handicapper has taken no chances. Would appear to be down the order on jockey bookings and others preferred.

Form: 1

Non-Runners

(7)

Chessman²⁶

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: J & T Gosden J: W Buick

(4)

Akhlaaq²⁷

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: Owen Burrows J: Jim Crowley

(15)

Tai Sing Yeh¹³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: C Hills J: Non Runner

(12)

Fayez²⁰

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: D O'Meara J: P Makin

Forecasts

Battered (4/1), Chessman (4/1), Sir Reginald Brown (5/1), Mazyoun (7/1), Starlight Romance (9/1), Senator (10/1), Harbour Grey (12/1), Akhlaaq (12/1), Tai Sing Yeh (12/1), Muscika (14/1), Lualiwa (16/1), Golden Apollo (16/1), Orewa (16/1), Tawny Port (16/1), Flashy Snapper (16/1), Parnassian (20/1), Fayez (20/1), Monks Stand (50/1)

The two fillies in this contest look amongst the most interesting with HARBOUR GREY taken to back up her Doncaster effort last time. Starlight Romance is the other filly and the form of her most recent win has been franked since. Chessman was well backed last time and only narrowly defeated, he should go well for last year's winning trainer.