13:50 York

Thursday 16 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap

Off time: 13:57 | Winning time: 57.54s

(9)

Marnie James^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: I Jardine| OR: 104| CD

50/1

Won three times last year and seemingly loves fast ground or AW. Well below form out at Meydan though earlier this year and similar story at Musselburgh last time out; needs to bounce back.

Form: 231-680

(5)

Justanotherbottle²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D Carroll| OR: 101| D

9/1

Has five wins from 24 starts on turf but struggling for form at the back end of last year's campaign and returns still above his last winning handicap mark after back to back wins in the summer. Has placed twice over C&D so not entirely ruled out.

Form: 185240-

(11)

Copper Knight^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 100| BF| CD

8/1

Two-time C&D winner who won twice towards the back end of last year and shaped with plenty of promise on his reappearance at Musselburgh. Just caught on the line at Chester last week and 1lb well in for that performance; capable of better still.

Form: 1441-42

(17)

Foolaad^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: R Winston| T: S R Bowring| OR: 98| D

16/1

A shade below form on AW this winter but he got back on track with a Doncaster success in March and has run well in defeat twice since. At his best when granted an easy lead and while that's not certain, he remains capable from this sort of mark.

Form: 240137

(12)

Orvar³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: P T Midgley| OR: 95| D

28/1

Won three times last year and finds himself back below his last winning mark after four unplaced efforts this year (two at Meydan). Yard do well with sprinters and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back here.

Form: 01-4477

(8)

Cowboy Soldier²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: L Morris| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 93| D

8/1

Has won three of his last seven starts and the form of his Kempton success last time out has been boosted by the runner-up winning since. May come on for that run, a first start in 243 days and a 6lb rise from the handicapper looks fair.

Form: 21329-1

(13)

Open Wide^b,h¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 93| D

12/1

At his best over sprint trips on fast ground and has run well in defeat in two starts since wind surgery. Solid each-way claims from the same handicap mark with his optimum conditions here.

Form: 0320-35

(21)

Outrage^b²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 92| D

50/1

Won three times at Newcastle this winter but effective on turf, particularly when he gets fast ground. Ruined his chance with a slow start at Kempton on return last month and while that has been a long standing issue, he's not one to rule out here.

Form: 12-1449

(3)

Abel Handy¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: K Stott| T: D Carroll| OR: 92| D

13/2

Gained a first win since his juvenile days when winning at Musselburgh last time out and returns just 5lb higher here. Hasn't shown his very best form on ground this quick but well-handicapped on the best of his form and worth considering.

Form: 0699-41

(1)

Saaheq²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: S De Sousa| T: M Appleby| OR: 92| D

6/1

Progressive sprinter since joining this outfit and well backed to win a competitive renewal of the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh last time out. 7lb rise demands more but De Sousa booked and yard may be able to eke more improvement from him.

Form: 7-51421

(18)

Line Of Reason²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P T Midgley| OR: 92| CD

20/1

Only has one win in his last 26 races but has won over C&D and he's back down towards his last winning handicap mark here. Looks the first-string on jockey bookings and has run well enough in defeat of late to suggest a return to form is near.

Form: 2430-25

(2)

Tommy Taylor^v¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 91| C

9/1

Both wins have come here including a Listed race in 2017 but hasn't won since that success and drop back to this trip isn't certain to be ideal. May also want softer ground than what is likely here.

Form: 305-603

(22)

Royal Birth^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: S A Gray| T: S C Williams| OR: 90| BF| D

33/1

Better on AW than turf but mark reflects that at least and fast ground is in his favour here. Back below his last winning turf mark and has been in good form this winter on AW; each-way claims.

Form: 221585

(20)

Eeh Bah Gum²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| CD

14/1

Prolific last season, winning five of his nine races, the most recent of which was a C&D success. Only 5lb higher here after two disappointments either side of the winter and gets his optimum conditions here; claims if he can bounce back.

Form: 12517-0

(10)

Harome²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: P J McDonald| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 88| CD

20/1

Impressive when bolting up over C&D last year and while he lost his way throughout the rest of the campaign, he's just 3lb above that winning mark and has the benefit of a prep run. Gets his optimum conditions and not ruled out here.

Form: 31060-0

(16)

Poyle Vinnie⁷^{(ex 4)}

Age: 9| Weight: 8-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 84| D

28/1

On a long losing run prior to a pair of Chelmsford wins over the minimum trip in recent starts. Still looks well-handicapped on his best form and while he's not all that consistent, a 4lb penalty sees him well in on his last time out win.

Form: 50-6171

(6)

Fendale⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-4| J: Phil Dennis| T: B Smart| OR: 87| CD

25/1

Won his first two in 2014 and ended losing run with C&D win in June. Held his form okay throughout the rest of the campaign and has been in good form on AW since returning, narrowly denied back-to-back races at Newcastle in February; could go well.

Form: 3030-12

(14)

Dark Shot^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-3| J: P Mathers| T: S Dixon| OR: 86| BF| D

20/1

Hasn't won since 2016 and while he went close at Epsom on his return last month, he hardly rates as the type to back that up these days. 4lb rise looks harsh and others preferred.

Form: 94500-2

(19)

Powerallied³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-3| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| D

28/1

Goes best at Chester but ran okay in defeat at Pontefract last time out and back below his last winning mark. Generally consistent and his apprentice has started the season well enough for this yard, looking worth his 5lb claim; each-way chance.

Form: 31800-5

(4)

Quick Look¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 84| C| D

40/1

Course winner in July but seems better over 6f these days and he's shown very little in two starts so far this season. While only 1lb above his last winning mark now, probably of more interest in less of a speed test.

Form: 1490-00

(7)

Henley⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-2| J: R Ffrench| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 83| D

80/1

Has a fair strike-rate on turf but has been struggling from a mark too high of late and racing from out of the handicap here is unlikely to help his cause. Probably wants slightly softer ground to be seen at his best.

Form: 100-804

Non-Runners

(15)

Fairy Falcon²³⁷

Weight: 8-5| Age: 4

T: B Smart J: Cam Hardie

Forecasts

Saaheq (6/1), Abel Handy (13/2), Copper Knight (8/1), Cowboy Soldier (8/1), Justanotherbottle (9/1), Tommy Taylor (9/1), Open Wide (12/1), Fairy Falcon (12/1), Eeh Bah Gum (14/1), Foolaad (16/1), Dark Shot (20/1), Harome (20/1), Line Of Reason (20/1), Fendale (25/1), Poyle Vinnie (28/1), Orvar (28/1), Powerallied (28/1), Royal Birth (33/1), Quick Look (40/1), Marnie James (50/1), Outrage (50/1), Henley (80/1)

LINE OF REASON may not have the most attractive recent strike-rate but he's dropped to a nice mark and has been running well in defeat on recent starts. Abel Handy is still relatively lightly raced and improved from his reappearance to win at Musselburgh last time out. Declan Carroll's charge was a Group 3 winner as a juvenile and may have more to give this season. Saaheq arrives in form and can't be ruled out with Silvestre De Sousa taking over in the saddle.