14:40 York

Saturday 27 May 2017

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

weddingmates.co.uk Grand Cup Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 3m 2.7199999999999998s

(13)

Dal Harraild³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: W J Haggas| OR: 109

3/1

Made it four wins from just 11 starts when scoring over 1m4f (good to firm) at Newmarket on final 2016 start but found Group 3 company too much on reappearance. More in favour now for a yard in fine form.

Form: 13131-6

(3)

Clever Cookie^p⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: P D Niven| OR: 109| CD

3/1

Superb strike-rate with 11 wins, the best of which came in last year's Group 2 Yorkshire Cup over C&D (good to firm). Far from disgraced when a close-up sixth in a stronger renewal last week. Fully respected.

Form: 21757-6

(5)

Curbyourenthusiasm¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: D M Simcock| OR: 108| D

8/1

Flopped during a spell in Dubai over the winter and consistency isn't a forte but he is a quality stayer on his day, as he proved when winning at Chelmsford in November. Returns with the yard in great form but this is a big ask.

Form: 7613-78

(2)

Dylan Mouth¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: A Fresu| T: M Botti| OR: 106

16/1

Prolific winner - including in Group races - in his native Italy but a shade disappointing in two runs so far in this country, most recently over this trip on the AW at Chelmsford. Still too early to be writing him off, however.

Form: 7-23573

(6)

Goldmember²⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S Donohoe| T: D M Simcock| OR: 102

12/1

A smooth maiden winner over 1m4f at Thirsk (good to firm) on his third start but was highly-tried in Group and Listed company afterwards. Gelded since but reappears with questions to answer.

Form: 916754-

(9)

Harrison¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: M R Channon| OR: 109| D

7/1

Was considered good enough to earn a tilt at last year's St Leger (sent off 40/1) and, though badly hampered that day, he reappeared to win decisively over 1m6f on the AW. Dangerous to dismiss.

Form: 33946-1

(14)

Nakeeta^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: I Jardine| OR: 102| D

14/1

Generally consistent stayer but struggling to get his head in front in handicaps these days, despite several fine efforts. Tough going from a poor draw at Chester on return and, though more in favour now, others appeal more.

Form: 42202-0

(4)

Seamour²⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: T Eaves| T: B Ellison| OR: 104| BF

14/1

Started off with five wins from his first eight starts but it's now eight races without a win, despite signing off last year with a valiant effort over 2m (good to firm) at Newmarket. Could be a player if fully tuned up.

Form: 629522-

(7)

The Tartan Spartan²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: T P O'Shea| T: J P Shanahan| OR: 97| D

11/1

Few miles on the clock and plenty to like about the way he won over 1m6f at Salisbury (firm) on his most recent start last month. Struggled on only previous Listed start but looks better equipped to tackle the grade now.

Form: 1786-31

(12)

Alyssa²³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Fran Berry| T: R M Beckett| OR: 102| D

7/1

Brilliantly-placed to win four times from five starts last season, signing off with a gutsy success in an Ascot Listed event (1m6f, good to firm). Open to improvement and, considering the yard won this last year, she is worth a look on her return.

Form: 311101-

Non-Runners

(1)

Codeshare²¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: Sally Haynes J: P J McDonald

(10)

Frontiersman²⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: C Appleby J: Non Runner

(8)

Midterm⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: Sir Michael Stoute J: Non Runner

(11)

Wall of Fire¹⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: H Palmer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Frontiersman (2/1), Dal Harraild (3/1), Clever Cookie (3/1), Midterm (11/2), Wall of Fire (13/2), Harrison (7/1), Alyssa (7/1), Curbyourenthusiasm (8/1), The Tartan Spartan (11/1), Goldmember (12/1), Nakeeta (14/1), Seamour (14/1), Dylan Mouth (16/1), Codeshare (33/1)

A competitive event even without the presence of Sir Michael Stoute's one-time Derby favourite Midterm. With Charlie Appleby's yard in such scintillating form, it may pay to side with the progressive FRONTIERSMAN who looked a horse to follow when scoring in taking fashion at Newmarket last time. Dal Harraild also boast strong credentials whilst Clever Cookie lost no caste in defeat when defending his Yorkshire Cup crown and should again be competitive.