17:30 York

Friday 13 July 2018

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

Gough & Kelly Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 1m 25.53s

(5)

Alfa McGuire²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Harry Russell⁽⁷⁾| T: B Smart| OR: 89| D

10/1

Won twice over 7½f at Beverley last year and creditable efforts in handicaps on first two starts this year. Easy to forgive a poor run in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot, and capable claimer takes over now.

Form: 170-240

(2)

Citron Major²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: N Tinkler| OR: 89

5/1

Considered on form which has seen him win 6f handicaps at Newcastle and Ripon in May, but reportedly bled when disappointing here last time, and hard to support with confidence based on that.

Form: 341910

(3)

Byron's Choice²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR: 86| D

10/3

Improved when scoring over this trip at Catterick on penultimate start, and pulled out more to follow up at Ayr last time. Handicapper has had his say, but not ruled out given current rate of progress.

Form: 632-411

(7)

Prestbury Park⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 81

9/1

Dual 6f winner last season, and several respectable efforts in defeat this term, albeit those go to underline his vulnerability in handicaps off current mark.

Form: 254542

(8)

Red Cymbal^t1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Georgia Cox| T: W J Haggas| OR: 78| BF

9/1

Won on second start at Chelmsford (6f) in November. Had a breathing operation prior to his return at Newmarket, and was well backed, but disappointed. Tongue tie goes on now, and too early to write him off.

Form: 314-8

(1)

Inviolable Spirit¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| D

10/1

Won over this trip in the mud at Leicester in April, and has maintained his form in different conditions since, with latest third at Newcastle giving him solid place claims.

Form: 80-0133

(4)

International Man¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| C

7/2

Form of his debut win here has worked out well, but he hasn't really progressed as expected, and latest seventh over 1m here makes him look opposable again.

Form: 008-527

(9)

Poet's Dawn¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Robert Dodsworth⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75| D

25/1

Some decent efforts in nurseries last season, but ended the season looking exposed, and hasn't been competitive in two runs this year.

Form: 5224-07

(6)

Bertog⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: George Wood| T: J Mackie| OR: 75

11/2

Caught the eye on sole nursery outing last year, and again in 1m handicap at Redcar last time, travelling strongly into contention but not seeing it out as strongly as expected. Likely to be suited by this drop in trip, and respected.

Form: 0563-03

Forecasts

Byron's Choice (10/3), International Man (7/2), Citron Major (5/1), Bertog (11/2), Prestbury Park (9/1), Red Cymbal (9/1), Inviolable Spirit (10/1), Alfa McGuire (10/1), Poet's Dawn (25/1)

BERTOG hasn't got home over a mile the last twice, but has travelled as if ahead of his mark both times, and will be suited by the drop in trip. He is preferred to the reliable Inviolable Spirit, with Alfa Maguire also shortlisted having contested one of the hottest handicaps of the season at Royal Ascot.