16:50 York

Friday 25 August 2017

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

Nationwide Accident Repair Services Handicap

Off time: 16:53 | Winning time: 1m 36.47s

(13)

Montataire¹²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102| D

28/1

Highly progressive last year, winning a Listed contest along the way but comeback run was a slight worry when last of seven at Newmarket, posing questions about whether he has trained on. Could bounce back may need this run after another absence.

Form: 12164-7

(9)

Medahim²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: R Hannon| OR: 100| D

17/2

Runner-up in valuable handicap at Goodwood earlier in the year but seems best suited to fast ground and unlikely to get that here. Didn't get clear run last time behind Battered at Goodwood but will struggle to reverse the form with that rival.

Form: 202013

(10)

Syphax⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: K A Ryan| OR: 100| C

6/1

Won his first two starts, landing a Group 3 over 7f here on final start of 2016. Has struggled upped in class in recent efforts, including the Dante in May but sure to appreciate the drop in class and may do better.

Form: 11-278

(2)

Kings Gift²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 100

12/1

Won twice last year and produced a good run when placing in Group company on final start of 2016. Struggled at pattern level this time around but ran well in a C&D handicap here last month and place claims on that form.

Form: 2-49930

(12)

Wahash⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: R Hannon| OR: 96| D

33/1

Progress seemingly been curtailed by the handicapper for now and hasn't got going on either of his latest starts. May need relief from the handicapper and retained rider prefers the claims of Medahim.

Form: 452208

(11)

Battered^b²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: W J Haggas| OR: 96| C

8/1

Quirky sort who disappointed here two starts back but bounced back with a win at Goodwood last time out with this rider on for the first time. Not straightforward but looks well-handicapped he won here earlier in the year. Won't mind any rain.

Form: 541351

(5)

Mojito²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| D

3/1

Has won three of his six starts and didn't need to improve to win at Newmarket last time out. Likely to improve for the step up in trip and proved himself versatile with regards ground conditions; should go well.

Form: 31-3311

(4)

La Rav¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J P Spencer| T: L M Cumani| OR: 94| D

13/2

Didn't need to improve from his maiden to win at Newbury last month and respectable effort at Chelmsford when last seen. Only up 1lb for that and more progress likely.

Form: 5113

(14)

City Of Joy⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 94| D

16/1

Doncaster winner on return to action this season and followed up at Chelmsford but not a straightforward sort, as seen in the prelims last time. Yard do well with these times and he'll improve with age but needs to put his run last time behind him.

Form: 10-1100

(6)

Horroob²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 93| BF

14/1

Has been running well on the AW this year with form figures of 112 but not been quite as effective on turf. Up the handicap for not winning last time not helpful and may need either a drop in the weights or a return to the AW to be seen at his best.

Form: 3-11402

(8)

Appointed¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92| C| D

14/1

Winner over an extended 1m2f here last month and while she was a little disappointing at the Shergar Cup meeting last time, she ought to do better back here and 4lb rise for her success looks fair. Drop back in trip is the main question mark.

Form: 10-2615

(7)

Starlight Romance²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Sammy Jo Bell⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

25/1

Has returned in good form this year and finished a good third behind Battered here, with wins either side of that effort. Disappointing here last time and probably not a lot of scope from a handicapping perspective but she should run well.

Form: 2-13127

(15)

Areen Heart^h³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88| BF

20/1

Maiden winner at Beverley last year but struggling to get his head in front subsequently. Runs well in defeat and gets the vote of the stable jockey but others look better handicapped.

Form: 1-23622

(1)

Zymyran^h⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 79| D

20/1

Carries penalty for a comfortable success at Newmarket last week and that 6lb may not be enough to stop him winning again but gives the impression he needs everything to drop right for him and claimer takes over in the saddle.

Form: 56-4951

(3)

Balestra⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: C Hills| OR: 84| D

33/1

Couldn't have won with much more in hand at Bath last month but handicapper hasn't taken any chances with his opening mark and he may not enjoy the slower ground here.

Form: 681

Forecasts

Mojito (3/1), Syphax (6/1), La Rav (13/2), Battered (8/1), Medahim (17/2), Kings Gift (12/1), Appointed (14/1), Horroob (14/1), City Of Joy (16/1), Zymyran (20/1), Areen Heart (20/1), Starlight Romance (25/1), Montataire (28/1), Wahash (33/1), Balestra (33/1)

KING'S GIFT ran well here last month and he can be forgiven his run last time out when he didn't handle the course at Goodwood. Battered doesn't look straight forward but he's proven himself here while Mojito, also trained by William Haggas looks a promising sort that goes on any ground.