13:50 York

Saturday 16 June 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:15

Queen Mother's Cup Handicap (Lady Amateur Riders)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 2m 29.37s

(3)

Pacify¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ms S Brotherton| T: R M Beckett| OR: 94

9/2

Losing run goes back three years and rating continues to fall. They rarely hang about in this race and that will test his unproven stamina. Top rider will require her considerable experience to nurse him home.

Form: 0527-46

(6)

Vent De Force^p1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss M Mullineaux| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 93| C

25/1

Former Group 3 winner over this trip on fast ground for Hughie Morrison, but that was three years ago and his three starts for this trainer suggest that he has plenty to prove at present.

Form: 427-005

(11)

Star Of The East¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss Emma Bedford⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93| D

7/1

Game front-runner who will keep finding more and stays further than this. Needs rain to take the sting out of the ground, but could be difficult to pass if conditions are favourable.

Form: 471219

(2)

Mister Belvedere⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Miss S E Dods⁽⁶⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 86

20/1

Well-backed on Newcastle return but down the field next time and has been off eight weeks since. Yet to make the frame in this class so clearly has work to do.

Form: 3207-20

(9)

Mukhayyam^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Mrs Emily Roberts| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86| CD

5/1

Appeared to be given too much to do in this 12 months ago when second to Tapis Libre. Improved considerbly thereafter when ridden more prominently and represents a trainer with a 3-7 record in this race.

Form: 938-062

(5)

Archippos⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Miss Emma Sayer| T: P A Kirby| OR: 86| BF

16/1

Disappointing last time and has been given a break since. On a career high mark, but that may not matter if the forecast rain arrives.

Form: 535-139

(8)

Desert Ruler²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Miss Becky Smith| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 84| C| D

9/2

Winner of two weak races at Newcastle but little wrong with his Chester form. Any rain getting into the ground would be detrimental, but handily weighted if things stay as they are.

Form: 229-112

(1)

Venue⁵⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Abbie McCain| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 81| D

33/1

Won three on the Flat in 2013 when rated in the 90s but his last three efforts on the level have been poor. Off the track 18 months and he probably has too many questions to answer.

Form: 111060/

(4)

Armandihan¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss H T Lees⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 80

13/2

Has been running to a fairly consistent level but one which is below the standard needed to win this.

Form: 7724-05

(12)

Tapis Libre¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: Joanna Mason| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 76| CD

10/1

Beat Mukhayyam in this 12 months ago under this rider off today's mark having been third 12 months earlier. This has clearly been the plan for 2018 but he may not enjoy the run of the race this time.

Form: 6387-35

(7)

Always Resolute²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Miss L Wilson| T: B Ellison| OR: 76| D

33/1

Without a win under any code for two years and 3lb above his last winning Flat mark. Not at his best over hurdles recently so difficult to recommend.

Form: 30/4304-

(10)

Rayna's World⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Mrs C Bartley| T: P A Kirby| OR: 84| BF| D

13/2

Found out on quicker ground last time and connections will be hoping the forecast rain arrives in time to alter current conditions.

Form: 351-213

Forecasts

Pacify (9/2), Desert Ruler (9/2), Mukhayyam (5/1), Armandihan (13/2), Rayna's World (13/2), Star Of The East (7/1), Tapis Libre (10/1), Archippos (16/1), Mister Belvedere (20/1), Vent De Force (25/1), Always Resolute (33/1), Venue (33/1)

The Easterby family have a good record in this and had a 1-2 a year ago when Tapis Libre beat MUKHAYYAM. The selection had to come from a long way back that day but went on to land two races when ridden more prominently. The selection handles any ground so his chances will improve considerably if it remains dry as Rayna's World, Star Of The East and Archippos all need rain. Desert Ruler has each-way claims, but Serena Brotherton's mount, Pacify, has to prove his stamina in what promises to be a strongly run race.