14:45 Beverley

Saturday 1 September 2018

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

William Hill Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 1m 1.23s

(10)

Mr Lupton⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 109| D

11/2

Again came up short at the elite level last time, but no disgrace in that. Won at this level in the City Walls Stakes at York in July (5f, good to firm), for which he carries a penalty here. It will be a surprise if he is not thereabouts.

Form: 187149

(5)

Final Venture¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: P T Midgley| OR: 104| BF| D

3/1

Won the Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock (5f, soft) last year, though has been unable to add to that. Just touched off in a York handicap last week, for which he has officially gone up 4lb. Not always consistent, but claims if at his best.

Form: 755362

(3)

Foolaad^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: S R Bowring| OR: 95| D

16/1

Beat El Astronaute (who has since improved to beat Final Venture last time) at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) in April, but below that level all starts since. New headgear combination tried here, but others preferred.

Form: 120790

(6)

Line Of Reason¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: P T Midgley| OR: 96| CD

12/1

Won a Class 3 at Ayr (5f, good to firm) from a mark of 91 in July and not too far off that form as Ascot since. However, overall profile gives him a fair bit to do to get competitive here.

Form: 231030

(4)

Mirza^p⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 9-0| J: N Mackay| T: Rae Guest| OR: 97| D

20/1

Dual Group 3 and triple Listed winner though now nearly two years since the last of his 11 successes. Was still good enough to be a 1½L third in a Sandown Group 3 in July. Not as good since, but if at his best he couldn't be ruled out.

Form: 5-98234

(1)

Mythmaker⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 104

5/1

Yet to win at this level, but his last three successes in conditions company would give him a squeak. All wins have been over 6f, but this is a stiff 5f and there will also be plenty of pace on. Stable among winners and could come into this late on.

Form: 182316

(9)

Take Cover⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 109| CD

3/1

Fabulous servant who has previously been good enough to win at Group 2 level and won this last year as part of a purple patch in the second half of the season. No wins this season, but has run well in better races. Claims.

Form: 1-73526

(11)

Tanasoq¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 95| D

25/1

Won four off the reel in May/June and beaten 2L in a Hamilton Class 3 two starts ago. Not as good in good handicaps either side of that and others make more appeal here.

Form: 111720

(7)

Elnadim Star⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 100| CD

7/1

One of the least exposed runners in the field and remains on an upward curve, having won at this level last time out against her own sex at Ayr. Carries a penalty as a result, and this looks tougher, but entitled to serious consideration.

Form: 811-121

(8)

Short Call⁴⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: S A Gray| T: R Menzies| D

100/1

Debut winner for Mick Channon last year, but took a backward step under her penalty next time. Has since changed hands twice, the latest for just £2,500. This looks a tough return after well over a year off.

Form: 13-

(2)

Tricksy Spirit⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Scott McCullagh| T: M R Channon| OR: 86

25/1

Second in the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown in June, but well held in Listed company under a penalty, a Group 3 and a decent handicap since. Looks up against it.

Form: 427807

Forecasts

Take Cover (3/1), Final Venture (3/1), Mythmaker (5/1), Mr Lupton (11/2), Elnadim Star (7/1), Line Of Reason (12/1), Foolaad (16/1), Mirza (20/1), Tanasoq (25/1), Tricksy Spirit (25/1), Short Call (100/1)

A race in which last year's winner Take Cover is one of only two favourites to have obliged in the past decade, during which time there have been three winners at double-figure odds. The David Griffiths-trained veteran is without a win this season, but he has run some good races in better company and a repeat would be no great surprise. However, FINAL VENTURE comes here on the back another good effort at York and he might just be the answer this time. Elnadim Star is clearly a decent filly, who is not ruled out, while Mr Lupton, Mirza and Mythmaker should all be competitive.