14:05 York

Saturday 14 October 2017

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Download The Coral App Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 2m 8.36s

(12)

Linguistic^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 103| D

10/1

Smart in 2016, winning over this trip at Newmarket (good to soft) and then runner-up in a couple of Listed races. Placed again in Listed company in April before a lengthy break preceded a 10L beating in the Cambridgeshire. Capable if fully firing.

Form: 1228-20

(13)

Big Country¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 100| CD

4/1

6lb higher than when scoring here in June and just 1lb higher than when beaten only ¾L in the John Smith's Cup here in July. Won't mind these conditions and should be better suited by the return to this trip/venue than in the Cambridgeshire. Claims.

Form: 141820

(5)

Chelsea Lad¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: M Meade| OR: 99

4/1

Yet to win this year, though ran well here over 1m (good to soft) in Listed company in May from 3lb lower. Some hope from his pedigree that he will get this trip, though he looks weighted to the ceiling of his abilities.

Form: 1-P2394

(10)

Speed Company^h⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 99| D

14/1

Capable performer over this trip and on just about any ground. Put in a very respectable effort when beaten less than 3L at 50-1 in a C&D handicap in August. Worth his place in this field, though may again come up just short from this mark.

Form: 001505

(11)

Law And Order⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: J Tate| OR: 102

25/1

Began the year with Listed success at Lingfield (1m, AW) and was also not too far away in Group 3 company on Kempton's Polytrack last month. This looks a tough assignment against older horses from today's mark.

Form: 442508

(9)

Weekend Offender¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 98| C| D

20/1

Scored over 1m (good) at this meeting last year and put up a career-best when winning at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) in August. However, a step up to this grade and his current mark looks to have put paid to him for the time being.

Form: P62100

(1)

Hibou^b¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: I Jardine| OR: 97| D

20/1

Has shown good improvement since joining this yard last year, winning two (inc. over this trip) and putting up his best when runner-up in a valuable Galway handicap in August. Off the boil lately, but if back on song he would have each-way claims.

Form: 831209

(3)

Master Carpenter¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: P Makin| T: B R Millman| OR: 97| CD

12/1

Goes well here, his last two wins being over C&D (on good and soft ground), including in a competitive handicap in May, when 2lb lower. Not easy to catch right, but nor is he easy to rule out.

Form: 100074

(8)

Dark Red^b1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: F Norton| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 96| BF| D

10/1

Won similar races at Epsom and Chester at the start of last season but has not quite been able to cope with the handicapper's demands since. However, has shown that he can be very competitive at this level and is another with each-way claims.

Form: 03D346

(14)

Azari^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jenny Powell⁽⁵⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 96

25/1

Largely consistent since joining this stable in June and won over 1m4f (good to soft) at Haydock in August. Has been competitive from this mark since, though off the boil under this pilot last time. Bit to prove today, especially dropped in trip.

Form: 326120

(7)

Anythingtoday^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Louis Steward| T: H Palmer| OR: 99| D

5/1

Has already won twice over this trip this season when there has been some cut in the ground. Has remained competitive since a subsequent rise in the weights and may still be able to eek out the necessary improvement to have a big say in this.

Form: 113203

(4)

Syphax^p1⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 98| C

8/1

Won the Group 3 Acomb Stakes here (7f, good to firm) here last year and entered 2017 on a rating of 110. Has been unable to return to that level in three starts this season and now cheek pieces tried in an attempt to revive his career.

Form: 11-2787

Non-Runners

(2)

Burguillos⁹¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: A King J: Non Runner

(6)

Empress Ali¹⁶

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: T P Tate J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Big Country (4/1), Chelsea Lad (4/1), Anythingtoday (5/1), Burguillos (15/2), Syphax (8/1), Dark Red (10/1), Linguistic (10/1), Master Carpenter (12/1), Speed Company (14/1), Empress Ali (14/1), Hibou (20/1), Weekend Offender (20/1), Azari (25/1), Law And Order (25/1)

An interesting opener where Big Country is clearly suited by both conditions and this track. He has to be taken very seriously, though with a 3lb pull for his defeat to Mick Appleby's runner, BURGUILLOS is preferred today. Alan King's lightly-raced four-year-old had excuses at Ascot last time and if he can get back into the groove then he might take a bit of beating. There are several others with claims, including a fully-firing Linguistic, Anythingtoday, Master Carpenter and Hibou and the latter pair could represent a bit of value for those looking for a double-figure priced play.