17:05 York

Friday 17 May 2019

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

Longines Irish Champions Weekend Handicap

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 2m 34.46s

(5)

Skymax²⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 85

5/1

Showed stamina to be his long suit when landing a 1m2f nursery at Newmarket in the autumn. Gelded since, he makes his return off 5lb higher and with another 2f to cover. Respected.

Form: 0321-

(7)

Laafy²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 83

2/1

Off the mark at the third attempt and on seasonal reappearance when winning a 1m2f novice contest at Leicester last month. Shaped as though he would appreciate this greater stamina test on handicap debut so has to be of interest for top connections.

Form: 52-1

(2)

Fraser Island¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83

6/1

Beverley handicap winner over 1m2f last month, but was comfortably held in second off this 6lb higher mark at Newmarket last time. Capable of a bold show if this longer trip suits. One of three runners from last year's winning stable.

Form: 5553-12

(9)

Summer Moon¹¹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 77

3/1

Second of his stable's three runners and gave his best display so far when scooting home by 5L in a 1m3½f Windsor handicap on latest start. Has a 6lb penalty, but that win was his first run following a break and there could be plenty more to come.

Form: 2336-1

(1)

Dark Lochnagar²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 82

12/1

Won a 1m1f Redcar novice contest in October, but may have found Listed company too hot on his seasonal reappearance over 1m at Newcastle. Bred to appreciate this longer distance on handicap debut and stable is going well.

Form: 61-9

(6)

Rochester House¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82| D

12/1

Stable companion of Fraser Island and Summer Moon who won a novice race over this trip at Pontefract last month, but was only third of four at Yarmouth last time. One to note on handicap debut.

Form: 213

(8)

Amadeus Grey^t²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80

40/1

Has cut little ice in 1m handicaps at Redcar and Musselburgh this season. Takes a big hike in distance against some rivals who are less exposed.

Form: 2521-67

(3)

Beechwood Jude²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: G Mosse| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 74

12/1

Seasonal reappearance and handicap debut after being gelded when second of 12 over this trip at Doncaster last month. Raised 4lb, but is on the upgrade and is a good back-up to the same stable's Dark Lochnagar.

Form: 974-2

(10)

Tucson¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J D Bethell| OR: 73

25/1

Third to Dancin Boy on latest start over 1m2f at Redcar. Down 1lb and should stay this longer trip, but has a bit to find.

Form: 733-43

Non-Runners

(4)

Dancin Boy¹⁵

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: M Dods J: P Mulrennan

Forecasts

Laafy (2/1), Summer Moon (3/1), Skymax (5/1), Fraser Island (6/1), Dancin Boy (7/1), Rochester House (12/1), Dark Lochnagar (12/1), Beechwood Jude (12/1), Tucson (25/1), Amadeus Grey (40/1)

Summer Moon has a penalty to carry for his Windsor victory, but he was impressive there and may be the best of three stable representatives. Dark Lochnagar and Beechwood Jude give their trainer a strong hand, but the vote goes to LAAFY, who shaped as though a stamina test would suit when winning over 1m2f last time and should take some beating on his handicap debut. Skymax and Dancin Boy also have decent claims.