15:10 Thirsk

Saturday 8 September 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Calverts Carpets Hambleton Cup Handicap

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 2m 42.78s

(7)

Atkinson Grimshaw^t1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 84| D

13/2

Tongue tie applied for the first time and not disgraced in a tough race at York. Has been highly tried this year but tends to be dangerous when dropped to this grade and on a fair mark.

Form: 202038

(10)

Mutadaffeq²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| CD

14/1

Given too much to do upped in trip at Ripon but this distance is ideal. Remains 3lb higher than recent winning mark and although others may be better handicapped, likely to be competitive again

Form: 332144

(8)

Play It Cool²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Liam Jones| T: J L Eyre| OR: 83| D

16/1

Useful form in three starts in Ireland for Andrew Oliver but well below that on British debut after weakening tamely once headed. Needs to find plenty in this company.

Form: 312-5

(4)

Armandihan^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S A Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 83| D

10/1

Can be quirky but gained a second career win with a front running success in a small field at Pontefract. That was a career best but concern that he was granted an uncontested lead and 5lb rise makes life tougher.

Form: 822441

(3)

Stonific⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Patrick Vaughan⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83| CD

14/1

Down to 1lb lower than last win over this C&D in May but barring a narrow defeat at Doncaster has been disappointing since. Others preferred on current form.

Form: 146260

(12)

Briardale^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: J D Bethell| OR: 82

33/1

Has dropped to a very handy mark but after struggling over the last year in stronger company, has continued to struggle when dropped in class the last twice. Looks opposable again in this field.

Form: 000-075

(9)

Akamanto²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 80| D

10/1

Winner of three of his last four and on a hat-trick. Up another 5lb and class while versatile regarding distance. Clearly improving and while this requires a fair bit more is hard to knock in current form.

Form: 231211

(16)

Arrowtown^h³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 78| D

3/1

Ran well when second over this C&D on her first start since April and likely to come on plenty for the run. Revels in testing conditions so any rain would bring her into the picture.

Form: 2612-82

(5)

Be Perfect^b⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 78| D

33/1

Well beaten in two starts off 4lb higher mark since Doncaster win. Only eased 1lb and looks a tough ask in this company.

Form: 333166

(6)

Dubai Empire⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 85

9/1

Gelded since last seen being outclassed in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Opening run of three runs this season was solid at Leicester but would need significant rain to be competitive and looks in the grip of the handicapper.

Form: 416-340

(1)

Silvery Moon¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 9-0| J: Robert Dodsworth⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75

50/1

Veteran who has really struggled in four starts this season and has never won over a trip this far. Looks easy to oppose at present.

Form: 14-0060

(14)

Regal Mirage¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75| D

5/1

Likeable and consistent he gained a sixth win from 18 starts when prevailing at Beverley. Seems to act on any ground and although open to improvement will find life tougher in this company off career-high mark.

Form: 153241

(15)

Chant³³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: P Mathers| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 72| D

50/1

Returned from a near year absence with a place in a claimer and a poor run in a Ripon handicap. Hard to make a case for in this company.

Form: 44/21-35

(11)

Iolani⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 72

20/1

Former Willie Mullins maiden winner who ran much better over hurdles for current trainer on first run following wind surgery. However a trip this short on return to the Flat is likely to be too sharp.

Form: 14-645

(2)

Ad Libitum^p¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: A Mullen| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 79| D

14/1

Very consistent performer and gained a second career win at Ripon in July off just 2lb lower. Can be competitive again but concern the ground may not be quick enough.

Form: 315252

(13)

Railport Dolly^h¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Barron| OR: 75

20/1

Remained progressive for Michael Appleby and shaped as though this extra trip would suit. However well below par on recent stable debut who continue to struggle for winners.

Form: 6-44126

Forecasts

Arrowtown (3/1), Regal Mirage (5/1), Atkinson Grimshaw (13/2), Dubai Empire (9/1), Armandihan (10/1), Akamanto (10/1), Stonific (14/1), Mutadaffeq (14/1), Ad Libitum (14/1), Play It Cool (16/1), Railport Dolly (20/1), Iolani (20/1), Be Perfect (33/1), Briardale (33/1), Silvery Moon (50/1), Chant (50/1)

A very open renewal where it's hard to know who will be sent off favourite. We probably haven't seen the best of top-weight ATKINSON GRIMSHAW and he should be dangerous back in this grade while Arrowtown would be very much a leading danger should the forecast rain arrive. With that in mind the ground is unlikely to be quick enough for Ad Libitum and the thriving Akamanto may prove to be more significant opposition.