14:20 York

Wednesday 16 May 2018

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:0517:35

Sky Bet First Race Special Jorvik Handicap

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 2m 30.83s

(3)

Banksea⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 104

9/2

Winner of the Spring Cup at Newbury in April and ran some fine races in defeat in Meydan this winter. Fast ground key to his chance and likely to get his conditions here. Interesting runner if he stays this far but second string on jockey bookings.

Form: 085-233

(1)

Crowned Eagle⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: M Botti| OR: 99

15/2

Got his head back in front at Kempton last time and runs his best races when able to dominate from the front. Return to turf a potential positive and interesting pace angle given that he's the only confirmed front runner in the race.

Form: 7343-41

(2)

Island Brave⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: H Main| OR: 96| D

12/1

A winner of five of his last seven starts, awarded the race in the stewards' room at Newcastle last time when the first past the post was hampered by a loose horse. Needs to prove he's as effective on turf but each-way claims if he is.

Form: 13-1121

(5)

Contango²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

15/2

Won each of his first three starts and not beaten far on fourth and final start of 2017. Well beaten on return but entitled to need that run and respected back up in trip, though has raced on better ground than good.

Form: 1112-8

(7)

Hamada¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 92| D

5/2

Arrives bidding for a hat-trick after winning a maiden in fine fashion at Pontefract in 2016 and defying a significant absence when sent off a short-priced favourite at Wolverhampton 18 days ago. Should run well provided there's no "bounce" factor.

Form: 321/1

(8)

Now Children⁹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: C G Cox| OR: 91

5/1

Belatedly landed a hat-trick at Wolverhampton last year after 508 days off the track. Doesn't look the easiest to train given we have not see him since that run and this is a stronger race. Others preferred.

Form: 211/1

(4)

Tuff Rock²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Edward Greatrex| T: E Walker| OR: 88| BF

9/2

Not won in five starts since winning his maiden at Goodwood but largely running well in defeat including two placed efforts this time around. Only narrowly beaten at Thirsk last time but this is tougher.

Form: 1022-42

Non-Runners

(6)

Grandee⁵

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope

Forecasts

Hamada (5/2), Tuff Rock (9/2), Banksea (9/2), Now Children (5/1), Crowned Eagle (15/2), Contango (15/2), Grandee (8/1), Island Brave (12/1)

A competitive opener to the Dante meeting in which CROWNED EAGLE looks capable of running well, particularly if granted an uncontested lead. Hamada is respected after a winning return at Wolverhampton last month. Island Brave has been running well on all-weather surfaces this winter and not out of this if he's as effective on turf.