15:10 York

Saturday 14 July 2018

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

John Smith's Racing Handicap

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 1m 38.44s

(3)

Bless Him^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| OR: 98| D

11/2

Last year's Britannia Stakes winner over Royal Ascot's straight 1m, when 8lb lower. Best effort since was back over that C&D in the Royal Hunt Cup last month, when 2lb higher. This is not as deep and he is entitled to make the short-list.

Form: 3515-69

(2)

Baraweez⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 98| D

12/1

Dual Chester handicap winner (7½f, good both times) already this season. The latest of those was his best effort since 2016, which is encouraging. Less encouraging is his 0-9 record at this venue, and his 7L defeat over C&D from a lower mark in May.

Form: 6-74151

(7)

Commander Cole^h⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 97

12/1

2-6, both wins having been recorded on AW surface in 2016. Returned from 526 days off with a promising run in a Thirsk conditions event (7f, good to soft) in April, but couldn't go on from that last time at Newbury. Not written off but bit to prove.

Form: 2611/46

(6)

Get Knotted^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 95| C| D

9/2

Dual 7f winner here (inc good to firm) and has won three times elsewhere over this trip. Back to somewhere near his best over 7f again here last time. A little more needed from same mark, but has each-way claims at the very least.

Form: 68-2032

(4)

Third Time Lucky²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

13/2

17-months since he last managed to get his nose in front and going on for three years since he won on turf. Inconsistent, but posted one of his better recent runs at Ayr (1m, good) last time. Same mark today, so more needed. Each-way claims.

Form: 306373

(1)

Wadilsafa²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 100| D

7/4

Improving three-year-old who scored at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) in May. Runner-up there, whom he beat 3¼L, ran to a similar level in winning at Pontefract on Tuesday. Well held in a Group 3 last time, but has strong claims in this weaker race.

Form: 2-19

(5)

Rousayan^h⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: S A Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

33/1

Yet to win away from Beverley, which is a very different track to this. Conditions and trip not a problem for him, but he is inconsistent and even at his best, he would have a bit to find in this field.

Form: 112-058

(8)

Parys Mountain^h⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80| CD

7/1

Has shown improved form since wind surgery and joining this trainer, winning over C&D (good to firm) last month and going very close after a 6lb rise at Ayr last time. Up another 1lb and in class here, but would not ruled out another very good run.

Form: 095312

Forecasts

Wadilsafa (7/4), Get Knotted (9/2), Bless Him (11/2), Third Time Lucky (13/2), Parys Mountain (7/1), Commander Cole (12/1), Baraweez (12/1), Rousayan (33/1)

A race that revolves around WADILSAFA, whose age allowance makes him look well treated and this unexposed son of Frankel should find this less exacting than his latest try in Group 3 company. If he fails to fire, then Bless Him could be the one to take advantage, while the improving C&D winner Parys Mountain is not ruled out despite rising in grade, nor is Commander Cole.