17:30 York

Friday 12 July 2019

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

Coopers Marquees Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 1m 26.05s

(8)

Irreverent²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Sean Davis| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88| D

3/1

Improving sort this season, and bounced back from fair Doncaster effort on penultimate start with stylish success in 7f Ayr handicap in June. 8lb rise means the handicapper is taking no chances but is leading contender on form.

Form: 420-151

(3)

Fastman²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: C J McGovern| T: D O'Meara| OR: 88| BF

7/2

Progressive without winning this season and improved slightly when second behind Irreverent at Ayr last time out. On the same mark as that rival despite being beaten 2l and needs to improve to reverse that form.

Form: 14-8432

(10)

Celebrity Dancer²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 87

11/2

Slightly inconsistent but put in a better performance when third behind Irreverent in 7f Ayr handicap on latest start. Has to find 4l to turn that form around despite being off only 1lb lower. Others better handicapped.

Form: 140-353

(4)

Daafr²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁵⁾| T: A Brittain| OR: 86

33/1

Fair stable debut since transferring from John Gosden in 7f Ayr handicap where he was behind Irreverent and a couple of these rivals. Needs to find a lot more on form to date to be competitive.

Form: 5253-86

(1)

Sandret⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: B Haslam| OR: 79| D

15/2

Upward progression seemed to come to an end when 2l third of four at Hamilton (6f, good to firm) on handicap debut. Return to 7f a positive but needs to prove he acts on likely fast ground.

Form: 113

(2)

Triple Distilled¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 77| BF

10/3

Running with credit this season in this class sphere, including when 2l third in 6f Newmarket handicap. 0-3 over this distance but should be thereabouts off a nice weight.

Form: 1-73423

(5)

Greek Hero¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: C J MacRedmond⁽⁷⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 76

16/1

Opened his account at the third attempt of asking in Thirsk novice but was well held on handicap debut at this track in late June. Will be of interest when further down the handicap in the future.

Form: 7419

(6)

Absolute Dream¹⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Murtagh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76WS

20/1

Winner at Redcar at the end of last season but weakened to finish last of 12 at Kempton (6f, standard to slow) in March. Has had wind surgery since but others make more appeal.

Form: 36741-0

(7)

Punjab Mail⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Cameron Noble| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74

16/1

Seven-race maiden who couldn't back up good Doncaster effort two starts ago when seventh in 7f Haydock handicap. This represents another step up and has plenty to prove now.

Form: 22-5037

Non-Runners

(11)

Came From The Dark²⁴

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: E Walker J: Ben Sanderson

(9)

Dutch Pursuit¹⁹¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: M Dods J: Paula Muir

Forecasts

Irreverent (3/1), Triple Distilled (10/3), Fastman (7/2), Came From The Dark (9/2), Celebrity Dancer (11/2), Dutch Pursuit (7/1), Sandret (15/2), Punjab Mail (16/1), Greek Hero (16/1), Absolute Dream (20/1), Daafr (33/1)

A 7f handicap at Ayr looks to be the obvious form guide for this contest and IRREVERENT is the one to beat on the nature of his victory in that contest and should be able to confirm that form with his rivals, who may feel they are harshly handicapped. Fastman wasn't disgraced that day and still has scope for some further improvement this season, while it could be worth a punt on the well-handicapped Came From The Dark provided he handles quick conditions.