14:20 York

Thursday 18 May 2017

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

Betfred 'Supports Jack Berry House' Handicap

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 59.83s

(11)

Duke Of Firenze⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 103| CD

13/2

A class act in contests such as this and 13lb higher than when beating Brando ¾L in this race last year. Has won on soft, good and good to firm ground, and was only beaten a head from 4lb lower back here in August over 5½f. Better than bare form of last week's Chester run suggests and should be ready to run very well once again.

Form: 5266-64

(8)

Poyle Vinnie^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 102| D

10/1

Runner-up in the 2015 Ayr Gold Cup from this mark, his career best effort on paper, although has never won from higher than 95 on turf. All conditions come alike to him and this is not as strong as the race that he was beaten 5L in at Newmarket last time. Should get closer but looks weighted up to the hilt.

Form: 2-31570

(9)

Robot Boy³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: P Makin| T: T D Barron| OR: 102| CD

7/1

All out to beat Kibaar a neck over C&D in October (good) from 9lb lower and won a valuable Wolverhampton handicap from 7lb lower in the winter, before twice going close from just 1lb lower at both Lingfield and Kempton. Best efforts usually when able to lead/race prominently. In good form and entitled to get competitive again.

Form: 10-7132

(5)

Move In Time²⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

17/2

2014 Prix de l'Abbaye winner whose last handicap success was a year prior to that. Hasn't won since a Longchamp Group Three in 2015 and only really looked like his old self once at Hamilton last year. In terms of quality this will be his easiest assignment for some time and he has a good draw. Acts on any ground and has twice won when fresh.

Form: 782000-

(1)

Justice Good⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: David Egan⁽⁷⁾| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 100| BF| D

15/2

His only win since rattling off a hat-trick in 2014 came at Kempton in November from 5lb lower, though was beaten just a short head from 1lb higher at Newcastle next time. Never involved last time at Kempton but decent draw and couldn't be confidently ruled out if producing his best.

Form: 031-269

(17)

Soie D'leau²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: Kristin Stubbs| OR: 98| D

8/1

Prominent racer who landed a decent Doncaster handicap from just 2lb lower in October (5f, good) and led for a long way before perhaps showing that he needed his return run at Newbury last month. Arguably still unexposed and potential to improve further, though recent history does not favour a high draw in this.

Form: 51571-4

(4)

Union Rose^p⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Harris| OR: 93| CD

14/1

Has won just two of his 28 starts, one coming here in October 2015 (C&D, soft) from 4lb lower. Has only once got really competitive since being gelded and that was on his first run last year. Tends to need a run and some cut to be at his best and has had that outing this season, so from a good draw he could figure if the rains continue.

Form: 58070-6

(6)

Snap Shots²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 91| D

16/1

Acts well with some cut in the ground and stable should know more about him after his first run for them here at the end of last season. The pick of his form is over 6f and he does look weighted up to the ceiling of his ability going into this, so will need to pull out something extra to win such a competitive heat.

Form: 641690-

(10)

Mont Kiara^h1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: K A Ryan| OR: 89

6/1

Ran well on debut here in 2015, his only previous visit (6f, good) and his sole handicap win was in a similar event at Newmarket last year from 1lb higher. Back down to that sort of mark now and after two sighters this season plus the fitting of the first headgear of any kind, he could be about to go close.

Form: 9080-84

(16)

Rasheeq¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87

12/1

Won a Southwell maiden a couple of years ago (6f) and although recent efforts don't look fantastic on paper, she is 8lb lower today then when a 2L fourth over 6f here (soft) in October 2015. High draw a potential sticking point, but a market check is advised given her yard's record with runners like this.

Form: 3304/80

(12)

Orient Class¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: P T Midgley| OR: 85| D

9/1

Very consistent last season in lower graded events, winning three out of four at one stage over 5f and on a variety of different ground. 9lb higher than the last of those but was beaten only 1L from this mark at Thirsk last time. Another who needs to improve to get competitive against a better field.

Form: 9-88262

(15)

Tumblewind³⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-3| J: F Norton| T: R M Whitaker| OR: 85| D

25/1

Sole success in the past three years was at Thirsk 13 months ago (5f, good) from 3lb lower. Wasn't able to shake off the attentions of the handicapper after that. Drawn high and wouldn't want 'soft' in any going description as is best on good or faster ground. Not easy to see her winning.

Form: 34/1067-

Non-Runners

(2)

Line Of Reason²⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 7

T: P T Midgley J: P Mulrennan

(13)

East Street Revue¹¹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: T D Easterby J: D Fentiman

(7)

Gamesome¹²

Weight: 8-10| Age: 6

T: P T Midgley J: P J Smullen

(14)

Love On The Rocks³⁴

Weight: 8-6| Age: 4

T: C Hills J: Non Runner

(3)

Fast Act²²⁰

Weight: 8-4| Age: 5

T: K A Ryan J: Joe Doyle

Forecasts

Mont Kiara (6/1), East Street Revue (6/1), Duke Of Firenze (13/2), Love On The Rocks (13/2), Robot Boy (7/1), Justice Good (15/2), Soie D'leau (8/1), Gamesome (8/1), Fast Act (8/1), Move In Time (17/2), Orient Class (9/1), Poyle Vinnie (10/1), Rasheeq (12/1), Line Of Reason (12/1), Union Rose (14/1), Snap Shots (16/1), Tumblewind (25/1)

A fascinating race in which it has paid to be drawn low over the past decade. During that time, stalls four and five have been responsible for seven wins between them and stalls one and three have provided one winner each, with the highest winning draw over the same period being a solitary victory from stall nine. Ironically, there looks likely to be plenty of pace on down the centre of the track which 6f specialists may appreciate. Duke Of Firenze looks booked for another good performance, as does Robot Boy. Move In Time carries risks now, but could still be a major player from this mark, while Union Rose looks to have a plumb draw and the more rain the better for him. Mont Kiara is another which appeals in an open contest but the suggestion is GAMESOME, who is not badly drawn, won't mind any rain and is back on a mark from which he should be very competitive.