16:15 York

Saturday 14 July 2018

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

John Smith's Stayers' Handicap

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 3m 36.17s

(6)

Here And Now^t1³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: R M Beckett| OR: 91| BF

7/1

Dual winner last year at around 1m4f and went very close in the Melrose Handicap here over 1m6f, when 4lb lower in August. Well below that level on his return at Windsor. Worth a try over this marathon trip. Bit to prove, including on fast ground.

Form: 14230-8

(3)

Vent De Force^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 91| C| D

25/1

Thorough stayer who won the 2014 Melrose Handicap (1m6f) here and scored over 2m in the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown in 2015. Has not added to that and recent efforts do not suggest he will break a 12-race losing run today.

Form: 27-0056

(7)

Humble Hero^p,t1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91| BF

3/1

Another dual winner at around 1m4f in 2017 (inc on good to firm). Has improved this year, running consistently well on his last three outings, including over 1m6f at Goodwood two starts ago. Will probably stay but has that to prove. Claims.

Form: 10-9233

(8)

Northwest Frontier^b²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| D

2/1

Has proved himself over this trip with wins at both Nottingham and Ripon (both good to firm) in May, the latter from 7lb lower. Another excellent effort to be 1¼L second in a 0-100 at Ayr (1m5f) last time. Should go very well.

Form: 7-63112

(9)

Stone The Crows³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: I Jardine| OR: 86

4/1

Won a Salisbury maiden (1m4f, good to firm) for Roger Charlton last year. Below par of debut for this stable here over C&D in May, but posted career-best in winning at Carlisle (1m6f) last time. Up 3lb, so more needed, but enters calculations.

Form: 2266-01

(1)

Master Archer^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 84| D

5/1

Broke his duck at the 16th attempt last time at Chester (2m, good to firm), when eeking out a marginal career-best. Up 3lb for that, but still on a gradual upward curve and his chance has to be respected despite this slightly better contest.

Form: 2-22221

(5)

Croquembouche^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 79

20/1

Takes a step into the unknown here, having never tackled further than 1m5½f in his 60-race career to date. Scored over 1m5f (firm) at Bath in a 0-75 last time. Up 3lb and significantly in grade here. Looks to have plenty on his plate.

Form: 50-0651

Non-Runners

(2)

Ingleby Hollow¹¹

Weight: 8-9| Age: 6

T: D O'Meara J: S A Gray

(4)

Venue²⁸

Weight: 8-7| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: David Egan

Forecasts

Northwest Frontier (2/1), Humble Hero (3/1), Stone The Crows (4/1), Master Archer (5/1), Ingleby Hollow (11/2), Here And Now (7/1), Croquembouche (20/1), Vent De Force (25/1), Venue (33/1)

Humble Hero tries this trip for the first time and, although he will probably see it out, he might have serious questions asked of his stamina by the proven stayer NORTHWEST FRONTIER, who gets the vote. Richard Fahey's four-year-old is still improving, loves fast ground, and is taken to score. Stone The Crows is entitled to make short-lists, while neither Master Archer nor Here And Now are ruled out.