14:25 York

Saturday 26 August 2017

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:15

Betfred Melrose Handicap

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 2m 57.27s

(16)

On To Victory^h²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 101

10/1

Consistent sort who ran very well just ahead of Winston C at Goodwood last time. Seems ground versatile but notable he is ridden by this apprentice jockey for the first time, having mostly been ridden by Tom Marquand.

Form: 212132

(1)

Sofia's Rock⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| BF

16/1

Disappointing in defeat at Newmarket last time but probably looked his best over 1m5f at that same course last month when behind St Leger hopeful Raheen House. Claims here from what could be a helpful draw.

Form: 710302

(4)

Bin Battuta^p⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Martin Lane| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 98

8/1

Has progressed through the season to produce a career-best at Ascot last time in a high class handicap, and though he is unraced at this trip his St Leger entry suggests that he should get this far.

Form: 7-13481

(13)

Secret Advisor²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 96| BF

5/1

Has come up short on each occasion since his debut despite being sent off favourite twice, but he has still shaped with promise including when third behind subsequent Goodwood Cup winner Stradivarius in the Queen's Vase.

Form: 12235

(12)

Night Of Glory⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Makin| T: A M Balding| OR: 96| BF

25/1

Beaten 12L to be last of all on debut for this yard last time; still has just a Curragh maiden to his name and should be out of his depth here.

Form: 21407

(19)

Master Singer⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 96| BF

20/1

Slightly disappointing at Ascot last time out but didn't help himself by hanging left. Still on that mark which should be okay for him, needs to prove he stays this far up to this trip for the first time.

Form: 4-310

(10)

Intellect³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 92

8/1

Unexposed type who has both a Nottingham maiden and his Newbury handicap debut in his last two starts. Up 12lb now but improving quickly, and though he is unraced on ground better than soft it's unlikely to pose a problem to him.

Form: 611

(3)

The Grand Visir^p²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91

9/1

Won a Newmarket handicap nicely last time out which reads as relatively good form, but he has always shaped as if he will be at his best over staying trips, and is stepped up to this distance for the first time today.

Form: 1641

(8)

Winston C²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: David Egan⁽⁵⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 88

11/1

Has consistently looked capable of better in his races and every chance that this step up in trip may bring about the best in him. Seems to go on any ground and shouldn't be inconvenienced by the draw.

Form: 13-3313

(14)

Here And Now²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 87

16/1

Beat subsequent Goodwood Cup winner Stradivarius at Chester in May but was probably flattered by the way that form has worked out. Behind Tor last time but 6lb better off at the weights now.

Form: 213142

(5)

Bush House^b⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 86

33/1

Two victories and a place to date have all come on the all-weather (Polytrack and Tapeta), and the way he has shaped on turf has to be a mild concern, as does the trip given this is his first attempt beyond 1m3f.

Form: 21481

(15)

Glenys The Menace¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Best| OR: 85

16/1

Has run into a fine spell of form recently but this is a much deeper race and she needs to step up raised 3lb from her victory in the Shergar Cup Classic last time out.

Form: 421121

(11)

Tor²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 85| D

14/1

Consistent sort who beat Hear And Now at Chester earlier in the month but is up 6lb now and is faced with completely different proposition in terms of the track.

Form: 233121

(17)

Qaviy Cash^t⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Hollie Doyle⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 85

11/1

Has taken a while to come to hand but got off the mark at Hamilton last time out. Up 10lb as a result and has switched to a leading jumps yard, not sure to get this far on pedigree.

Form: 6721

(9)

Dark Pearl²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 83

16/1

Impressive Chepstow maiden winner in June who should have more to offer over these sorts of trips. Seems best suited by fast ground on the available evidence so wouldn't want much more rain.

Form: 3213

(20)

Dominating¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Richard Oliver⁽⁵⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| BF| D

33/1

Has shown plenty of improvement since stepping up to staying distances but this is a much tougher proposition than his last couple of races and he needs to show yet more improvement having gone up 18lb since May.

Form: 811212

(2)

Redicean⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Shelley Birkett⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83

33/1

Having his second run for David O'Meara having out-run his odds at Doncaster last time. Plenty to prove in a very different kind of race now, though he has a nice draw and is handicapped appropriately.

Form: 438-164

(18)

Northwest Frontier²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| BF

16/1

Consistent type who was only narrowly beaten at Thirsk last time 1m4f, good), when he was doing all his best work late. This step up in trip should suit him well and he should have more to offer.

Form: 3132

(7)

Look My Way¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: J Quinn| T: A M Balding| OR: 79| BF

20/1

One of the few contenders in the field with the proven stamina for this trip but sole win to date came in a lowly Southwell handicap and much more is needed now.

Form: 252323

Non-Runners

(6)

Shymkent²²

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: D O'Meara J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Secret Advisor (5/1), Bin Battuta (8/1), Intellect (8/1), The Grand Visir (9/1), On To Victory (10/1), Winston C (11/1), Qaviy Cash (11/1), Tor (14/1), Shymkent (14/1), Here And Now (16/1), Dark Pearl (16/1), Northwest Frontier (16/1), Glenys The Menace (16/1), Sofia's Rock (16/1), Look My Way (20/1), Master Singer (20/1), Night Of Glory (25/1), Dominating (33/1), Redicean (33/1), Bush House (33/1)

This is a very tricky handicap given most of these three-year-olds are stepping up in trip for the first time here, but the tentative suggestion is WINSTON C. Michael Bell's charge has always seemed to possess some untapped potential and it's just possible that these extra two furlongs could bring it out in him. The ground and draw both shouldn't be a problem for him and the stable is currently in fairly good form as well. Queen's Vase third Secret Advisor and Sir Michael Stoute's Intellect are others to consider in what looks to be a fiercely competitive race.