16:50 York

Saturday 14 July 2018

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

John Smith's Novice Median Auction Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 1m 12.34s

(4)

Autumn Splendour¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J Tate| D

8/1

Has made a good start to his career, improving on a positive debut at Nottingham with success at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) last time. Carries a penalty for that in a hotter contest here, so will need a bigger improvement this time.

Form: 21

(10)

Dark Vision⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: C & M Johnston| D

9/2

8-1 and made a very pleasing debut, when going away for a 1¼L success at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) last week. Can improve for that and should give a very good account under his penalty.

Form: 1

(9)

He'zanarab²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon

7/2

Another 8-1 chance who scored going away on debut at Windsor (5f, good to firm). Should improve both for the run and also for this step up to 6f. Claims of a repeat under his penalty.

Form: 1

(3)

Pearl Of Qatar⁶⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison

16/1

Sprang a 25-1 surprise when swooping late to score by 1L on debut at Beverley (5f, good to firm) in May. Second and third have not done much for that form since. Was taken out of the Hilary Needler on a vet's certificate last month. More needed.

Form: 1

(6)

Absolute Dream²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey

9/2

Improved on his Haydock debut when beaten just a nose into second at Redcar (6f, good to firm) last month. Winner was soundly beaten under a penalty next time, so has a little to prove, but not ruled out.

Form: 62

(7)

Five Amarones⁵⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe

16/1

Placed over 5f at both Pontefract and Bath in the spring, but could not go on from that when beaten over 8L on being stepped up to 6f at Haydock last time. Needs improvement to figure.

Form: 335

(2)

Lincoln Park²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S A Gray| T: T Coyle & K Wood

8/1

Improved significantly on a modest debut effort when 2½L runner-up to a useful type in a C&D maiden (good to firm) last month. That form has since been franked, so if he can take another step up he has legitimate claims this time.

Form: 54

(1)

Self Assessment

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke

14/1

€15,000 foal, €20,000 yearling. Half-brother to 6½f-1m1f winner Princess Aloof. Dam placed 1m/1m1f, half-sister to variety of winners Flat/jumps and to dam of smart sprinters Sayif and Hunter Street. Stable juveniles 14% this season. Market check.

Form:

(8)

Stronsay¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: B Smart

33/1

Market drifter to 66-1 before missing the break and then eventually making some late headway on debut at Carlisle (6f, good to firm) recently. That was not without promise and, although much more is needed, he is not written off.

Form: 5

(5)

Top Cat¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby

5/1

Drifted to 50-1 before outperforming those odds when trying to win from the front at Newcastle (6f, AW) and being beaten 3¼L on debut last month. Looks sure to come on for that and is a very interesting runner.

Form: 3

Forecasts

He'zanarab (7/2), Dark Vision (9/2), Absolute Dream (9/2), Top Cat (5/1), Lincoln Park (8/1), Autumn Splendour (8/1), Self Assessment (14/1), Pearl Of Qatar (16/1), Five Amarones (16/1), Stronsay (33/1)

The several previous winners here include Autumn Splendour and Pearl Of Qatar and both are respected under their respective penalties. Also shouldering the extra burden are both He'zanarab, who can improve for the step up to 6f, and DARK VISION, who should also be capable of better than his first run and can follow-up. Lincoln Park looks capable of having a big say, with Top Cat one who could come on plenty for his first run.