13:55 York

Saturday 14 July 2018

All13:5514:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:20

John Smith's City Walls Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 13:57 | Winning time: 57.54s

(8)

Muthmir^p⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108| C| D

4/1

Classy sprinter and triple Group 2 winner who, after taking the Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock last month (5f, good to firm), finished a neck second to Judicial in last week's Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown. Concedes weight but is short-listed.

Form: 43-4512

(1)

Alpha Delphini^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 107| CD

5/1

Won the Listed Beverley Bullet in 2016. Not ground dependent. Last two wins were in conditions company, but has gone close in all three starts this year, including by a short head to Muthmir at Haydock last time. 3lb better off and has claims.

Form: 711-232

(7)

A Momentofmadness^h⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Hills| OR: 103| D

12/1

Has steadily risen through the ranks in the past two seasons and deserves his place here after winning a couple of Class 2 handicaps this spring from a mark of 95. Beaten 2¾L in a French Group 2 last time. Each-way claims.

Form: 5-31713

(5)

El Astronaute²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 102| CD

12/1

Won a good C&D handicap here (good to firm) at the Dante Festival and bettered that back over C&D when beaten just a head from 3lb higher next time. Not quite so good in two starts since, but couldn't rule him out if right back to his best.

Form: 231234

(3)

Mr Lupton⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 105| CD

5/1

Made a cracking start to the season, going close in a Doncaster Listed event and beating Ed Astronaute a head in a big field Class 2 handicap here next time. Now 2lb better of with him, though also needs to bounce back after two below par runs.

Form: 8-26187

(6)

Take Cover²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 110| CD

9/2

Wonderful servant who won this in 2014 and 2017, and even at 10 was still good enough to complete a hat-trick last year that included two Listed races and a Group 3. Was not too far off that level last time at Beverley last time and can go close.

Form: 0111-73

(4)

Abel Handy²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S Donohoe| T: D Carroll| OR: 99| D

25/1

Enjoyed a progressive juvenile campaign, which culminated in him winning last year's Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes (5f, good) on the Rowley Course. Has been way below that level in Group 3/Group 1 company this term (both 6f). Bit to prove now.

Form: 2121-60

(2)

Stone Of Destiny²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 109| D

7/2

Dual novice winner for David Simcock last season. Well held on debut for this trainer in Listed company at Newbury, BUT made real progress to be 1¾L fourth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup last time. A repeat effort would give him serious claims.

Form: 12174

Forecasts

Stone Of Destiny (7/2), Muthmir (4/1), Take Cover (9/2), Mr Lupton (5/1), Alpha Delphini (5/1), El Astronaute (12/1), A Momentofmadness (12/1), Abel Handy (25/1)

A real cracker in prospect to kick off the card and MUTHMIR is taken to hold all comers and win, in spite of the concession of weight all around. William Haggas's eight-year-old is 3lb worse off with Alpha Delphini on their Haydock running, but he was game when challenged and may still have the edge over Bryan Smart's runner. Stone Of Destiny outperformed his 50-1 SP in the Commonwealth Cup last time, but he was slowly away there and doing his best work at the business end of Ascot's stiff 6f. He won't be able to think for as long when the gates go back here and the drop back to 5f means he will need to be right on the money. Dual winner Take Cover could also be brought to a peak for this.