20:30 York

Friday 27 July 2018

All18:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Sky Bet Proud To Support Candlelighters Handicap

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 1m 5.95s

(5)

Eeh Bah Gum²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 84| BF| D

5/1

In tremendous form this season, completing a four-timer over 5f. 9lb rise caught him out last time at Thirsk. Drops 1lb for this. Probably wouldn't want too much rain, but claims if at his best.

Form: 411112

(8)

Machree¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G C O'Neill⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 82| D

9/1

Scored over 5f on soft last season and added another over that trip (Redcar, good to firm) in May, when 10lb lower. Not far off that level again at Ripon last time, from this mark. Each-way claims.

Form: 41-7154

(3)

Billy Dylan¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 81| D

11/2

Sole win came over a similar trip at Brighton (good to soft) last year, in a novice event. Recorded a career-best when ½L third at Ripon (good) last month, from 2lb higher. Not as good either run since, but looks a player here.

Form: 858336

(1)

Harrogate^b1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: J D Bethell| OR: 81

11/2

Sole win came at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) in May, when 10lb lower. Was beaten just 2L from 1lb higher over a similar trip to this at Doncaster last time. Blinkers may help eek out a bit more. Not ruled out.

Form: 0-56133

(6)

Mutabaahy^h⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 75

13/2

Dual 6f winner this year, the turf success being at Thirsk (good to firm) last month. Has been busy since and outperformed that win in all four subsequent runs. Same mark here as his last two runs and makes the short-list.

Form: 212335

(7)

Daffy Jane¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁷⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 74| D

8/1

Has won at both Thirsk and Ripon over 6f this season. Did it with a little bit in hand at Ripon last time, for which she has gone up 6lb. More needed, but improving and has won under this claimer before. Considered.

Form: 733161

(4)

Cameo Star^p¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72| D

13/2

Has won on fast ground over both 5f/6f, the latter at Hamilton last month, when dead-heating from 4lb lower. Has gone well both times since, but is likely to need more improvement to win again.

Form: 904132

(10)

Gold Stone³²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 72| D

8/1

5f Beverley novice winner (good) last season. Beaten just over 1L on handcap debut at Wolverhampton (AW) last month. Open to improvement and will need some of that to go in again.

Form: 21-42

(2)

Airglow^h⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 68

7/1

Often slowly away and races freely. Was doing his best work late on at Catterick (5f, good) last time. Wouldn't rule him out if he can get off to a better start.

Form: 555583

(9)

Palmer¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 65

20/1

15-race maiden who has dropped to what could be a handy mark. However, has only given his running once so far this season, and this is a tough enough race in which to try to break your duck.

Form: 482554

Non-Runners

(11)

Laith Alareen¹⁵

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: I Furtado J: T Hamilton

Forecasts

Laith Alareen (3/1), Eeh Bah Gum (5/1), Harrogate (11/2), Billy Dylan (11/2), Cameo Star (13/2), Mutabaahy (13/2), Airglow (7/1), Daffy Jane (8/1), Gold Stone (8/1), Machree (9/1), Palmer (20/1)

LAITH ALAREEN is in superb form and looked as though there would still be more to come when completing his hat-trick last time, so the suggestion is to stick with him again. Eeh Bah Gum can't be ruled out, but needs to raise his game a little too, and any significant rain would be a concern. Daffy Jane could be a bigger danger, while Billy Dylan, Airglow and Gold Stone are others considered.