16:05 York

Friday 19 May 2017

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:0517:40

Betway Jorvik Handicap

Off time: 16:06 | Winning time: 2m 33.46s

(7)

Soldier In Action³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Fran Berry| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| D

14/1

Five wins from 18 starts but shown very little returned to the Flat this Spring, including on yard debut last time. Handicap mark looks a little stiff at present but trainer did win the Dante here on Thursday.

Form: 01010-0

(3)

Cymro³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 100| D

6/1

Well suited to 1m4f on soft ground and back down to his last winning mark now. Effort on return was a little disappointing but no doubt he's better than that and he should go well for a trainer who has hit a bit of form in recent weeks.

Form: 04014-6

(5)

Southdown Lad⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Knight| OR: 94| D

9/2

Not without market support on comeback run at Kempton but well beaten. Likely to enjoy the ground but probably not that much scope from a handicapping perspective and can over-race from time to time. Should have no issue getting cover in this field though.

Form: 1/3315-0

(1)

Gibbs Hill²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 94| D

15/8

Improving with every start and won easily at Wolverhampton last time. That wouldn't be the strongest piece of form but he's certain to have more scope from this sort of mark and is probably destined for pattern company. Has gone well on soft ground on both his turf starts and is the one to beat for a trainer and jockey that won this last year.

Form: 3221-1

(9)

Ashkoul²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: B A Curtis| T: M Appleby| OR: 92

16/1

Dual French winner for Alain de Royer-Dupre last year and improved on his UK debut for this yard with a fair effort at Doncaster last time. Gets a 5lb swing in the weights with Fidaawy for that effort and there's probably more to come. Leading player with soft ground likely to be up his street.

Form: 4261-83

(4)

Burguillos¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: A King| OR: 84

3/1

Consistent performer who has finished out of the frame just once in eight starts. Won with a bit in hand last time at Leicester and he's proven himself on softer ground but probably needs to take a step forward from that effort if he is to take a hand here. Eye-catching jockey booking.

Form: 53132-1

(6)

Lord Yeats²²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: P Mulrennan| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 88| D

12/1

Shaped as if amiss when last seen and mixed messages on prior runs in this sort of ground. Probably best watched on return from an absence.

Form: 512720-

(8)

Song Of Love⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: Robbie Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: S A Harris| OR: 82| D

50/1

Has his first start for this yard after leaving Joseph O'Brien and looks more exposed than most in here. Probably best watched with very little form on turf, particularly slower ground.

Form: 1-33218

Non-Runners

(2)

Fidaawy²⁰

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: Sir Michael Stoute J: Jim Crowley

Forecasts

Gibbs Hill (15/8), Fidaawy (11/4), Burguillos (3/1), Southdown Lad (9/2), Cymro (6/1), Lord Yeats (12/1), Soldier In Action (14/1), Ashkoul (16/1), Song Of Love (50/1)

GIBBS HILL has a progressive profile and connections won this last year and have a fine record around here; it would be no surprise to see this colt complete a hat-trick. Ashkoul may be able to turn the tables with Fidaawy now he gets softer ground and more weight from that rival. Burguillos is well in under a penalty and should give Ryan Moore a good spin if he returns in similar form.