16:05 York

Thursday 17 May 2018

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

Betfred TV Hambleton Handicap

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 1m 36.84s

(8)

Larchmont Lad³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 106

8/1

Unlucky not to gain his second Listed win when disqualified at Leopardstown in October when hanging badly right in the closing stages. Seemingly needed the run on return at Naas last month but step back up in trip perhaps not a positive here.

Form: 2403D-4

(7)

Custom Cut^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 102| C| D

33/1

Seven-time Group winner but only won once since 2015, coming at Leopardstown last year. Has struggled back in handicaps on last couple of starts but a return to quicker ground will suit and gets his optimum conditions off a fair mark.

Form: 23750-4

(3)

Cape Byron¹²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 100| DWS

2/1

Won a decent race at Ascot on belated 2017 reappearance in September and ran okay in Listed class in France subsequently. Disappointed on only start at Meydan this winter when well backed but has had wind surgery since and less exposed than most.

Form: 21/13-9

(9)

Love Dreams^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| BF

16/1

Came on for his reappearance with a smart effort in a competitive Newmarket handicapped and confirmed the promise of that run with a win at Chelmsford. Worth forgiving his latest effort at Goodwood and there may be more to come up in trip here.

Form: 06-6210

(6)

Afaak²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 97| D

9/2

Improved from his debut to win his next two starts at the beginning of last season and while running well in defeat since he was put up 5lb for a close second at Newmarket at the back end of last year and showed little on return at Newbury.

Form: 17442-0

(5)

Mythical Madness^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: P Makin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

16/1

Couldn't get his head in front on AW this winter but only narrowly beaten on two of his last three starts. On a fair mark, will like the ground and this jockey seems to get on well with him having won and placed in two of his three rides on board.

Form: 460292

(10)

Third Time Lucky¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93| D

8/1

Won the Cambridgeshire in 2015 but just one win in 22 starts since, landing a conditions race at Wolverhampton in 2017. Has produced more promising efforts on his last two outings including when placed at Newmarket last time and has each-way claims.

Form: 763063

(1)

Isomer³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 90

7/1

Not won since a 2016 maiden win and while he was poor in three starts in 2017, he ran with credit in a good handicap at Newmarket last time. Has claims off the same mark for last year's winning connections and a return to faster ground should suit.

Form: 6/768-23

(4)

Baraweez⁶^{(ex 3)}

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 87| D

6/1

Gained his first win since 2015 at the Chester meeting last week. Will be going up in the handicap when reassessed and no problem with the step back up in trip here. Fair chance again with a likely strong pace to aim at.

Form: 486-741

(2)

Qaffaal⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-3| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 85| BF| D

25/1

Just one win since 2016 and best efforts have come on AW. Fast ground in his favour on return to turf and should get a good pace to aim at but despite being below his last winning mark, he needs to prove he can cut it at this level away from the AW.

Form: 34-5542

Non-Runners

(11)

Original Choice¹²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: James Doyle

Forecasts

Cape Byron (2/1), Original Choice (10/3), Afaak (9/2), Baraweez (6/1), Isomer (7/1), Larchmont Lad (8/1), Third Time Lucky (8/1), Love Dreams (16/1), Mythical Madness (16/1), Qaffaal (25/1), Custom Cut (33/1)

David O'Meara has been in good form in recent weeks and Custom Cut ought to run well returned to a faster surface. Stablemates, Mythical Madness and Larchmont Lad aren't dismissed but preference is for BARAWEEZ after his win at Chester last week. The eight-year-old ran well throughout most of last season without being able to get his head in front and he ought to make his presence felt again now he's got a win under his belt. Isomer shouldn't be ruled out for last year's winning connections after a promising effort at Newmarket last time.