Stephen 'Yarbie' Yarborough Memorial Handicap

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 2m 51.79s

(5)

Tor²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: J Fanning| T: I Jardine| OR: 84| CD

6/1

Gained the first of his three handicap wins last year in this race in a similarly small field dominating from off a 9lb lower mark. Improved to win off higher marks; not won yet this year but looks in form and will appreciate a return to this trip.

Form: 700825

(3)

Davy's Dilemma¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: A Mullen| T: M Dods| OR: 83| CD

11/4

Still lightly-raced for one of his age but showed some useful form last year winning over C&D to back up a Wetherby win. Both runs this year have shown promise (2m trip too far last time); ease in grade/trip will prove suitable (leading chance).

Form: 5/411-35

(2)

Theglasgowwarrior⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 76| C

3/1

Already clocked up four wins this year with the last two coming here over shorter trips; forged clear last time. Only up 6lb for that wide margin win he now has to cope with a career-high mark in a better race but remains in the form of his life.

Form: 141281

(1)

An Fear Ciuin¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 76| C

16/1

Proved hard to win with over hurdles and has a much record on the Flat recording his 6th career win over 2f shorter here last time. Outsider of the four runners on that occasions he was suited by the run of the races; tougher task faced here.

Form: 3/660-51

(6)

Donnachies Girl^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 71| CD

8/1

Has for much of the year run with credit without yet winning a race; will be suited by a strongly run race. C&D winner who has now slipped back 3lb below her last winning mark and hard to rule out in a competitive affair.

Form: 1-53643

(4)

Vera Drake¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79

11/4

The sole three-year-old in the field she's yet to win a race but is making steady progress in handicaps although her mark is edging up. Now off a career-high mark over the longest rip she's tried she may do better with stamina looking her forte.

Form: 224-222

Forecasts

Davy's Dilemma (11/4), Vera Drake (11/4), Theglasgowwarrior (3/1), Tor (6/1), Donnachies Girl (8/1), An Fear Ciuin (16/1)

A cracking race for the grade with all bar one of the sextet having won here before with three of them being C&D winners; not easy to rule any of them out. Tor won this last year and he’s always best from the front but he might not be able to dominate here and a bit of cut in the ground would be preferable. DAVY’S DILEMMA will appreciate this 1m5f trip more than the 2m he ran over last time and this slight ease in grade looks a bonus also. Theglasgowwarrior has been in cracking form but this will require a career-best and the three-year-old Vera Drake is preferred with this stamina test looking to suit her as she searches for her initial win.