14:25 York

Saturday 16 June 2018

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

JCB Handicap

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 22.24s

(11)

Above The Rest^h²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 104| D

16/1

Close fourth in this last year and then landed the Bunbury Cup. Has been hard to place since, but not disgraced from a poor draw at Chester last time. Mark is beginning to fall but probably not enough on this occasion.

Form: 08-3937

(13)

Salateen²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104| CD

14/1

Up 2lb for a short head victory at Doncaster, Yet to defy a mark this high in a handicap but should be able to operate off it, and is also a previous C&D winner who was third in this 12 months ago.

Form: 070816

(4)

Muntadab⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 100| D

14/1

Battle-hardened individual who has solid form here and also in his grade. Has proved he can operate from today's mark and he handles any ground.

Form: 510-627

(5)

Shady Mccoy²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 100| CD

20/1

Experienced campaigner who has won nine races including a large field handicap over C&D. Well held in last two races, but his 2017 form puts him in the picture.

Form: 1274-00

(1)

Lualiwa²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 97| CD

14/1

C&D winner who has struggled on his last four starts at this level and therefore only makes limited appeal in a tough-looking race.

Form: 60-0169

(9)

Golden Apollo²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 96| C

5/1

Won the sprint on this card 12 months ago and followed up with a defeat of Lualiwa at Ascot and meets that rival on 3lb better terms here. Yet to win over 7f but looked a shade unlucky over C&D last time and a big run is anticipated.

Form: 9139-84

(14)

Squats^p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| D

10/1

Down to his last winning mark after three below-par efforts this term which give him a lot to find from an uncompromising draw.

Form: 180-004

(8)

Get Knotted^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 95| CD

7/1

One of his few poor runs here came when favourite for this 12 months ago. Better handicapped this time and his last run offers encouragement.

Form: 568-203

(3)

Gallipoli^h⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

16/1

Finished 15th in this last year off a lower mark. The ground may have been an issue last time but that could become a problem if the weather forecast is accurate. Others are better handicapped.

Form: 290-236

(2)

Spanish City¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: R Varian| OR: 91| D

2/1

Appreciated an easier task last time and has another crack at this level having finished strongly in the Victoria Cup. Lightly raced for his age and more may be forthcoming. Trainer/jockey combination are 10-35 with a further ten making the frame.

Form: 16/4-161

(10)

The Feathered Nest²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 89| BF| D

8/1

Winner of a competitive Chester handicap on her reappearance but failed to follow up next time when caught further down the field than ideal. Rarely runs a bad race and effective on any ground.

Form: 3197-13

(6)

Misty Birnam⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| D

50/1

Former Group 1 third in his native South Africa. Finished last on both starts in Ireland and again at Haydock on stable debut a week ago.

Form: 123/09-0

Non-Runners

(7)

Stamp Hill⁶⁰

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: R A Fahey J: R Winston

(12)

Roller⁶⁰

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: M & D Easterby J: Harrison Shaw

Forecasts

Spanish City (2/1), Golden Apollo (5/1), Get Knotted (7/1), The Feathered Nest (8/1), Squats (10/1), Roller (12/1), Muntadab (14/1), Lualiwa (14/1), Salateen (14/1), Above The Rest (16/1), Gallipoli (16/1), Shady Mccoy (20/1), Stamp Hill (20/1), Misty Birnam (50/1)

GOLDEN APOLLO scored on this card last year and it will be no surprise if this has been the plan following two starts this season that have earned him a competitive mark. The Feathered Nest, Squats and Spanish City represent yards who are no strangers to picking up valuable Saturday handicaps, whilst last year's third Salateen and the ultra-tough Muntadab are others with realistic prospects in a fascinating race.