17:00 York

Saturday 29 July 2017

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Sky Bet Supporting New Beginnings British EBF Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 17:02 | Winning time: 2m 11.86s

(4)

Empress Ali²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 89| CD

6/1

Won a 0-85 here over C&D (good to soft) two seasons ago when 7lb lower and also at Pontefract last season from 5lb lower than today. At her best with cut underfoot and should give another good account, though looks in need of help from the handicapper before winning again.

Form: 4531-53

(9)

Company Asset²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Seamus Cronin⁽⁷⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 89

9/2

In good form this season, running well here over 7f (soft) in May and then winning twice when stepped up to 1m½f (soft) at Hamilton and to 1m1f (good) at the same venue last time. Up another 1½f and 6lb for that latest win, prompting a rise in grade and the use of a 7lb claimer. More needed to complete hat-trick but could make the step up.

Form: 57-3311

(2)

Appointed²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88

5/2

Runner-up in a very similar contest here over C&D (good) in May, when she stayed on well to bely her 25-1 SP. Also ran well enough in a stronger contest here last time and back against he own sex and in a slightly lesser contest, she has each-way claims from the same mark.

Form: 6210-26

(1)

Fengate⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T E Whelan| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 79| D

9/1

Justified odds-on favouritism to win a small field contest on her final start in France last year before being bought for 55,000gns. Had a sighter for this trainer at Salisbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month and from 1lb lower, she could do better this time. Not ruled out.

Form: 87531-4

(6)

Lady Bergamot²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 78| D

3/1

Broke her duck at the third time of asking when doing so in a Newcastle maiden (1m2f, AW) last month, before following up on her handicap debut at Leicester (1m2f, good to firm) last time. Now attempts a hat-trick under this pilot, up in grade and after a 5lb rise. However, entirely possible that she has that improvement in her.

Form: 6-811

(5)

Celestation⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 77

7/1

Sole win was in a 7f Chester maiden (good to soft) last September. Has largely been competitive in handicaps since, without further success, and from the same mark as her last four runs others are preferred for win purposes.

Form: 382233

(3)

Fire Palace¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁷⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 72

20/1

Another who has not yet managed to add to a 7f maiden success from her juvenile days. Handicapper already beginning to relent and she is more interesting now stepped up to a trip that pedigree suggests she should be suited to. Don't rule out a better effort at a price here.

Form: 344-084

Non-Runners

(8)

Coillte Cailin¹⁸

Weight: 9-8| Age: 7

T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope

(10)

Age of Elegance¹⁴

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: R Fell & S Murray J: T Hamilton

(7)

Neshmeya⁴¹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: C Hills J: P Mulrennan

Forecasts

Appointed (5/2), Lady Bergamot (3/1), Neshmeya (4/1), Company Asset (9/2), Empress Ali (6/1), Celestation (7/1), Age of Elegance (8/1), Fengate (9/1), Coillte Cailin (14/1), Fire Palace (20/1)

Empress Ali looks one for short-lists again here, though winning from this mark will not be easy for her, while Appointed has claims from this mark now back in this grade. Neshmeya brings solid maiden form into this but will probably need improvement to win on her handicap debut from this mark and that can't be ruled out. Fire Palace looks particularly interesting now tried over this trip, though her trainer's recent form is a concern. Age Of Elegance and Fengate are others who should be thereabouts, but Company Asset and LADY BERGAMOT both look like they have further improvement to come and the latter might just have what it takes to win again this time.