17:00 York

Saturday 28 July 2018

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Sky Bet Supporting New Beginnings British EBF Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 2m 12.05s

(8)

Appointed^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86| CD

7/2

Goes well here and won this last year from 2lb lower (good to soft). Not yet back at that level this season, but beaten just ½L in a class 2 at Ripon last time and should go very well back here.

Form: 343252

(6)

Isabella¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: P Makin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 86

9/1

Backed up a Thirsk maiden win (1m, good) with another on her handicap debut at Pontefract (1m) last season. Unable to add to that, but was beaten just a neck from this mark at Hamilton (1m1f) two starts ago and is unexposed over this trip. Claims.

Form: 2-03327

(5)

Exhort²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88| D

8/1

Scored when stepped up to this trip at Ayr (good) last month, but 5lb rise and also rise in grade saw her held at Haydock last time. Not fully exposed yet, but needs more than that to stake a claim here.

Form: 6-42214

(4)

Feline Groovy^t²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: W J Haggas| OR: 82| BF

8/1

Has put in three similar efforts from her four starts, winning one of them in a Newbury novice event (1m, good to firm) last month. Made a promising handicap debut when beaten 3l at Chester last time. 2lb lower and not ruled out.

Form: 2414

(2)

Naqaawa⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 82| D

9/4

Has improved with each run and broke her duck at Nottingham (1m2f, firm) last time. Up 5lb for that, and in better company this time, but still on the up and has to be taken very seriously.

Form: 673-41

(7)

Tight Lines¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 79| BF

9/1

Beat Isabella a neck at Hamilton (1m1f, good to firm) two starts ago (now 4lb better off with her). Also went close at Beverley last time, when improving. Remains unexposed and makes the short-list.

Form: 528412

(3)

Morticia¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 78

13/2

Has been making steady improvement in four starts and was a comfortable scorer at Hamilton (1m½f, good to firm) last time. 6lb rise for that is going to require more, now up in grade, but can't write her off.

Form: 4241

(1)

Ladies First⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 67| BF

10/1

Has returned from a break in good form, scoring at Carlisle (1m, good to firm) and then beaten just ½L under a penalty two days later at Hamilton. Longer trip not certain to suit, and she is up another 3lb (though still 2lb 'wrong'). Bit to prove.

Form: 3229-12

Forecasts

Naqaawa (9/4), Appointed (7/2), Morticia (13/2), Exhort (8/1), Feline Groovy (8/1), Isabella (9/1), Tight Lines (9/1), Ladies First (10/1)

There's a competitive look to this contest, with Isabella and Tight Lines renewing rivalries and both looking set to go well again, while unexposed performers such as Exhort and Feline Groovy also interesting. Appointed has a tough task at these weights against the three-year-olds, but she is respected in trying to repeat her success of last year. However, that age allowance looks attractive again this time, and NAQAAWA, who is improving, looks well placed to take full advantage.