13:50 York

Saturday 15 June 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:15

Queen Mother's Cup Handicap (Lady Amateur Riders)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 2m 37.31s

(7)

Archi's Affaire²⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss C A Dods⁽⁶⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 91| D

12/1

Needed his reappearance last year before winning at Hamilton (1½m, good/soft), and ran to a similar level when last seen over 8 months ago. Not badly treated, but fitness taken on trust after absence.

Form: 140/713-

(14)

Makawee¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Joanna Mason| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| CD

4/1

Has taken off in handicaps, and barely off the bridle when gaining third win from last four starts at Wetherby (1¾m) last time. All her form is on a sound surface, but decent chance if she copes with forecast conditions despite a 10lb rise.

Form: 531-211

(3)

Mister Manduro³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Becky Smith| T: B Ellison| OR: 87

12/1

Just one Flat run since October 2017, but won over hurdles last month for Ann Hamilton. Fairly treated back in this sphere, but he has been well beaten when encountering soft ground before.

Form: 28600/3-

(6)

Promise Of Peace^b1,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Abbie McCain| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 85| BF

50/1

A winner in Germany last year for Andreas Wöhler, but hasn't lived up to expectations over hurdles for new connections. Tried in blinkers once for old yard, and ran poorly, so headgear looks a risky addition here.

Form: 55550/1-

(2)

Multellie¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Mrs Emily Roberts| T: T D Easterby| OR: 84| D

20/1

Won three times last season over 1½m on ground ranging from good to soft, but despite running poorly on his last four starts, he remains 4lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 1109-89

(8)

Mutamaded¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Miss Emily Bullock⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 83

33/1

Goes well at Ripon, but form is patchy otherwise, for all he ran one of his better recent races when third at Ayr last time. Much more required to win this more competitive affair, and passed over.

Form: 4-86693

(13)

Apterix²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Tabitha Worsley| T: B Ellison| OR: 80| CD

16/1

Won this race four years ago, and retains all of that old ability, as shown by wins at Musselburgh and Thirsk this season. Not disgraced at Chester last time, and will appreciate this more orthodox track.

Form: 0/62116

(5)

French Mix⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Miss H Welch| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 77| D

12/1

Scored twice in amateur races at up to 1¾m on AW in January for this rider, and didn't shape at all badly when 4L third of 12 to Gloweth in similar event at Goodwood (1m1f) last time. Not easily ruled out.

Form: 935-113

(10)

Where's Jeff⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Ms S Brotherton| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 77

6/1

Won at Newcastle and Hamilton (1m½f) in 2018, and got back on the scoresheet when staying on to land a 1¼m handicap at Beverley last month. Untried at this trip, but shapes as if it will suit, and that makes him interesting.

Form: 1263-41

(9)

Tapis Libre¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 9-9| J: Miss C Walton| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 73| CD

20/1

Previous winner of this race, although well into veteran stage now. Best effort of the season when just a respectable fourth at Thirsk last time, and his last eight wins have come under Joanna Mason, who chooses Makawee ahead of him here.

Form: 418-804

(1)

Arctic Fox²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Mrs C Bartley| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| C

5/1

Has improved for step up to 1¼m on last two starts, winning handicaps at Newmarket and here. Still unexposed, but slight worry she's been unplaced on both starts on ground softer than good.

Form: 436-611

(12)

Billy No Mates⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Miss S E Dods⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 83

5/1

Best effort last year when winning a soft-ground nursery over 1m at Thirsk. Ran respectably over 1¼m on his return at Doncaster, and could easily improve again now upped to 1½m, as he is quite stoutly bred.

Form: 61616-5

(15)

Sootability²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Amie Waugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75

8/1

Handles soft ground, but yet to prove she stays beyond 1m. Breeding offers hope, though, and likely to have needed her return at Ripon last month.

Form: 1434-5

Non-Runners

(4)

Breath Caught¹⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: Miss Brodie Hampson

(11)

Cafe Espresso¹⁶

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: P Howling J: Miss Chelsea Banham

Forecasts

Makawee (4/1), Arctic Fox (5/1), Billy No Mates (5/1), Where's Jeff (6/1), Sootability (8/1), French Mix (12/1), Archi's Affaire (12/1), Mister Manduro (12/1), Breath Caught (12/1), Apterix (16/1), Tapis Libre (20/1), Multellie (20/1), Cafe Espresso (20/1), Mutamaded (33/1), Promise Of Peace (50/1)

The two who come here on the up are Makawee and Arctic Fox, but both are unproven on the ground, which tempers confidence a little. One who relished soft ground and is far from exposed, however, is BILLY NO MATES, who is bred to need at least this far, and represents last year's winning trainer/jockey combination. Apterix, winner of this race four years ago, is no back number, and shouldn't be disgraced.