14:25 York

Wednesday 21 August 2019

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:50

Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 24.09s

(5)

Ethic²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas

10/1

Only narrowly denied on debut and the front two pulled a long way clear when he won a Salisbury maiden last time out. That's probably not the strongest form but the step up in trip looks sure to suit.

Form: 21

(2)

Harpocrates^b1¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 96| BF

7/1

Off the mark on fifth start at Naas and the runner-up from the race franked the form in fine fashion last week. Didn't look entirely straightforward when failing to justify favouritism in Listed class subsequently but first-time blinkers could help.

Form: 235312

(3)

Kingbrook³⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| D

6/1

Improved from debut to win at Ascot last time out and had most of his rivals going a long way out that day. Could be even better over a bit further but still warrants respect, despite the step up in class here.

Form: 31

(10)

Morisco²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| D

28/1

Very green on debut but improved from that to land a novice race at Newcastle last month (still green throughout the race). The form has been boosted since and while this is a sizable step up in class, he's not without each-way claims.

Form: 51

(4)

Persuasion¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: C Hills| D

5/2

Well bred sort who overcame greenness to win on debut at Goodwood. That looked a decent maiden and he gave the impression he will have learnt plenty, getting the hang of things late on. Yard won this last year with subsequent Irish Guineas winner.

Form: 1

(6)

Ropey Guest²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 97

25/1

Ran a huge race when sixth in the Coventry but hasn't really built on that in two runs since, only third of six in a lesser race than this at Ascot last time. More exposed than most and others preferred.

Form: 74643

(1)

Valdermoro²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| D

9/2

Finished 1¾L third in a hot maiden at Haydock on debut and confirmed the promise of that run when bolting up at Doncaster last month (still green in the closing stages). Fascinating runner.

Form: 31

(8)

Vitalogy²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien

9/2

Won sole start in a Naas maiden at 25/1 with Harpocrates back in third. Quickened well off a slow pace that day and should have more to give up in trip here.

Form: 1

(9)

Yorkshire Gold²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: K A Ryan

14/1

Heavy ground winner at Leicester on debut. Form hasn't worked since but he's well bred and looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip here.

Form: 1

Non-Runners

(7)

Cobra Eye²²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 2

T: J & S Quinn J: L Dettori

Forecasts

Persuasion (5/2), Valdermoro (9/2), Vitalogy (9/2), Kingbrook (6/1), Cobra Eye (13/2), Harpocrates (7/1), Ethic (10/1), Yorkshire Gold (14/1), Ropey Guest (25/1), Morisco (28/1)

A fascinating renewal of this race with several of these already showing some decent form. The tentative selection is VALDERMORO who gave the impression he had plenty left when hitting the line at Doncaster last time out. Persuasion is an obvious danger for last year's winning yard and he looks sure to improve from debut. Both Morisco and Kingbrook have each-way chances while Cobra Eye did nothing wrong when winning last time and should be capable of improvement on just his third career start.