14:40 York

Friday 12 July 2019

All14:0514:4015:1515:4516:2016:5517:30

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 34.21s

(9)

Anythingtoday^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94

2/1

Drop in weights seemed to help get him back on the winning keel last time out when landing 1m2f Newcastle handicap last time. Back up in trip and class for this and 7lb rise suggests handicapper is taking no chances, but can't be discounted.

Form: 0-40421

(7)

Maifalki²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: G Lee| T: J Ward| OR: 91| D

33/1

Three-time winner last season, including in Listed company, but returned from winter spell in Dubai when last of 14 at Ayr (1m5f, good) in late June. That form doesn't look good enough to be competitive and tough ask off current mark.

Form: 10-6900

(6)

Speed Company¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89| D

2/1

Good second over C&D two starts ago and produced career-best effort last time when narrow third at Windsor (1m4f, good to firm). Remains on same mark in what looks to be an easier contest. Likely to make a bold bid.

Form: 2-80123

(4)

Oasis Fantasy¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 88| D

4/1

Resurgent eight-year-old who was just denied in 1m4f Windsor handicap last time in which Speed Company and Big Kitten were behind him. Not penalised for that effort and should be involved, but normally finds one too good in this sphere.

Form: 31-4512

(1)

Dance King^p,t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 81| D

10/1

Started the season with a good third at Chester but form has tailed off recently, including when 12th of 15 at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm) on latest start. This requires major improvement and vulnerable to less exposed rivals.

Form: 444-380

(2)

Final Rock^v1⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 81

6/1

Consistent in lesser company last season and returned from layoff with 3l third in 1m4f Lingfield handicap. Entitled to improve from that effort off the same mark. Respected.

Form: 11122-3

Non-Runners

(3)

Big Kitten¹³

Weight: 9-12| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: Non Runner

(5)

Dragons Voice²⁴

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: D Menuisier J: Non Runner

(8)

Durston²⁷

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: D M Simcock J: Sean Davis

Forecasts

Anythingtoday (2/1), Speed Company (2/1), Durston (2/1), Oasis Fantasy (4/1), Final Rock (6/1), Big Kitten (6/1), Dragons Voice (6/1), Dance King (10/1), Maifalki (33/1)

A handful of horses come into this in good form, but preference is for SPEED COMPANY, whose good second over C&D is a standout piece of form alone and should've held on for second at Windsor last time. With the leniency from the handicapper he should be the one to beat for a trainer seems to thrive with progressive handicappers. Durston has been much improved since stepping up in trip and is guaranteed to stay, but this is a tougher assignment for the three-year-old against his elders, despite running off a light weight. Final Rock will be sharper for this assignment and the assistantce of the visor for the first could find the necessary improvement to be competitive.