13:55 York

Wednesday 23 August 2017

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:50

Symphony Group Handicap

Off time: 13:56 | Winning time: 1m 4.20s

(12)

Moviesta^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: R P Downey⁽³⁾| T: E Lynam| OR: 104| CD

10/1

Two-time Group winner who was a C&D winner back in 2013 but his very best efforts have come on fast ground or the AW. Will enjoy the strong pace that's likely and he's capable off this sort of mark so should run well.

Form: 569514

(19)

Gracious John⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Katherine Begley⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 103| CD

25/1

In fine form last year, winner of four races and has won off higher marks than this before. Not shown much on his most recent starts though and plenty to prove at present but 7lb claimer returns who has won on him before.

Form: 420086

(13)

Orion's Bow³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 103| D

8/1

Highly progressive last year, winning five on the spin in varying conditions. Running well without threatening the judge this year though and there's a suspicion he's better over 6f; looks opposable with the handicapper slow to release his grip.

Form: 0-64035

(2)

Thesme⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: N Tinkler| OR: 100| CD

12/1

Not won since 2015 but was running well in defeat last year and has two course wins to her name. Fine effort in defeat over C&D in last year's Nunthorpe but badly out of form in three starts this year; down to a lenient looking mark as a result.

Form: 252-003

(5)

Edward Lewis¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99| D

6/1

Improved since joining this yard and running well in defeat before he was set an impossible task from a poor draw at Goodwood last time. Yard in better form now and given 2lb relief from the handicapper. Yard's first-string and should go well.

Form: 145690

(11)

Hoof It¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 98| CD

12/1

Three-time course winner and in good form last year. Excellent effort in defeat at Goodwood on his latest start but 5f probably a little sharp for him these days. Should give the middle draws a good pace to aim at.

Form: 2133-06

(16)

Tithonus^b,t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Gary Halpin⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 96| D

14/1

Returned in excellent form this year, landing two valuable handicaps at the Curragh and can be forgiven a disappointing effort at Galway last time out when he probably didn't stay and the ground was heavy. Likely to do better back down in trip here.

Form: 040110

(9)

A Momentofmadness^h²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Bentley| T: C Hills| OR: 95| D

7/1

Only just touched off by El Astronaute at the Goodwood Festival and arrives here on better terms this time around. Very consistent sort who should give his running again but others may be better handicapped.

Form: 124332

(15)

Hoofalong^b,h⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 94| D

28/1

Highly progressive last year and while he struggled off his revised mark after a win in a valuable Musselburgh handicap, he carried on running well in defeat. Different story in two starts this time though and needs to bounce back.

Form: 8657-00

(20)

Watchable^v⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94

20/1

Best form on good or faster ground and not easy to catch right, with a record of two wins from 36 starts. Capable of running well at this level and from this mark, but others preferred in this competitive event and Tudhope prefers Edward Lewis.

Form: 454346

(4)

Robot Boy²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: J P Spencer| T: T D Barron| OR: 93| CD

12/1

Just one win last year and has been a little disappointing this campaign after a win on the AW at the start of the year. Wants fast ground to be seen to his best and can't be dismissed off a lenient looking mark

Form: 286507

(18)

Afandem²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 95| D

25/1

Impressive last year, winning two pattern races in France. Not in anything like that form this time around though and never recovered from a poor start last time out. Risky proposition.

Form: 44-8089

(8)

Desert Law⁴^{(ex 6)}

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: P T Midgley| OR: 87| D

14/1

Scored from a much reduced mark at Musselburgh on return this year and got back in the winner's enclosure last time out at Doncaster. May struggle to back that up under a penalty though and not won in handicap off a mark this high since 2012.

Form: 708051

(17)

Move In Time^v²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: James Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| D

14/1

2014 Prix de l'Abbaye winner but has regressed since. Not beaten all that far two starts back over C&D but he's hit and miss these days, more the latter and stable jockey prefers Edward Lewis. On a fair mark and ground versatile at least.

Form: 0-00058

(10)

Soie D'leau⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: Kristin Stubbs| OR: 92| D

8/1

Largely running well in defeat this year and versatile from a ground perspective. While he's on a fair enough mark, this is at least as tough as any of his recent assignments. More needed.

Form: 526433

(6)

Shamshon^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: S C Williams| OR: 90| BF| CD

10/1

Has been an inconsistent sort since leaving the Hannon stable but he's a C&D winner and all his wins have come over 5f. Others probably on more lenient marks but can't be dismissed.

Form: 750316

Non-Runners

(7)

Out Do⁴

Weight: 9-10| Age: 8

T: D O'Meara J: P Makin

(3)

Line Of Reason²²

Weight: 9-9| Age: 7

T: P T Midgley J: Oisin Murphy

(1)

El Astronaute⁸

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: J & S Quinn J: Jason Hart

(14)

Verne Castle⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: David Probert

Forecasts

Edward Lewis (6/1), A Momentofmadness (7/1), Soie D'leau (8/1), Orion's Bow (8/1), Shamshon (10/1), Moviesta (10/1), El Astronaute (10/1), Thesme (12/1), Hoof It (12/1), Robot Boy (12/1), Desert Law (14/1), Tithonus (14/1), Move In Time (14/1), Out Do (14/1), Line Of Reason (16/1), Watchable (20/1), Gracious John (25/1), Afandem (25/1), Verne Castle (25/1), Hoofalong (28/1)

David O'Meara saddles four in here and stable jockey Daniel Tudhope seemingly prefers Edward Lewis who should do better than his effort at Goodwood when drawn on the wrong side. Tithonus is an interesting Irish contender who should appreciate a drop back in trip but preference is for sole mare in the race, THESME. Frankie Dettori rides and she finds herself on a lenient mark having been given some time to recover from some poor efforts earlier in the year