16:50 York

Friday 21 August 2020

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:50

Sky Bet Mile Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 1m 38.0s

(8)

Visinari³⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 105

14/1

Impressive Newmarket debut winner last June before going close in Group 2 company. Failed to progress final 2 starts of 2019 but likely to make up into a better 3-y-o and of interest now handicapping.

Form: 1344-

(9)

Grand Rock^p1⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| D

16/1

Dual winner of minor events in the mud last year and shaped well on return in 1¼m Royal Ascot handicap. Below par next time but drop back in trip/first-time cheekpieces may be positive influences.

Form: 4113-57

(3)

Johan²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 96| D

13/2

Scored twice at 2 yrs and strong at the finish when making a winning return/handicap debut at Newbury (1m). Not disgraced off this 8 lb higher mark next time but probably in need of a stiffer test.

Form: 4116-14

(4)

Finest Sound^t⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 94| D

5/1

Impressive on return/handicap bow at Haydock prior to creditable efforts in defeat in the Britannia at Royal Ascot and most recently at Newmarket. Recent rain in his favour and bold show anticipated.

Form: 333-123

(15)

Eastern World⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 94| BF| D

11/2

Off the mark in Newmarket maiden in June and went down all guns blazing on handicap bow there (July course) next time (Finest Sound 1¾ lengths adrift in third). 4 lb rise fair but stall 15 not ideal.

Form: 2-212

(16)

Overwrite⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92| D

18/1

Bounced back following odds-on Bath reverse when first past the post in 1m Newbury handicap (subsequently disqualified). Versatile ground-wise and solid claims off same mark but wide draw no help.

Form: 61824D

(5)

Hartswood²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| CD

8/1

Close third in 7f handicap won by Black Caspian on return here in July. Improved for step up to this trip when striking over C&D since and, though now 6 lb higher in a tougher race, he merits respect.

Form: 5216-31

(10)

Mon Choix¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 91| D

18/1

Major improvement the last twice, winning 1m handicaps at Windsor and Sandown in good style. However, up total of 19 lb and another big step forward needed if he's to complete the hat-trick.

Form: 5-23611

(2)

Brunch²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR: 91| C| D

15/2

Progressive type who came from well off the pace when scoring over 7f here last time. Now 6 lb higher in a deeper race but return to this trip will help and not without each-way hope from a good draw.

Form: 51-141

(11)

Cold Front³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91

7/2

Made the most of a good opportunity to get off the mark at fourth attempt in 7.2f maiden at Haydock last month, quickening clear. May have more to offer now handicapping but this is very competitive.

Form: 2-221

(7)

Magnetised^t1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Varian| OR: 87| BF

25/1

Maiden winner on sole 2-y-o start and went close on return at Thirsk (form working out well). Disappointed on handicap bow since, though, and Andrea Atzeni prefers Finest Sound. Tongue strap added.

Form: 1-20

(14)

Cloud Drift^v¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: S De Sousa| T: M L W Bell| OR: 86| BF| D

28/1

Back on the up with visor enlisted the last twice, successful at Leicester in July and solid second off this revised mark at Salisbury recently. Stiffer test would be ideal but claims nonetheless.

Form: 12-9512

(12)

Black Caspian^p²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: J Quinn| T: K A Ryan| OR: 84| C

40/1

Responded well to cheekpieces when bagging a big-field 7f handicap here last month. Creditable fourth to Brunch off this mark back here next time but doesn't appear to be crying out for this trip.

Form: 020-414

(1)

La Trinidad²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 83| D

50/1

Immediate improved switched to handicaps, successful at Beverley and Doncaster in June. Good third to Brunch over 7f here last time but further progress is needed in this stronger race.

Form: 6-51173

(6)

Duesenberg¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: A Mullen| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81

80/1

Debut winner at 2 yrs and shaped well on return/handicap bow at Doncaster in June. Failed to build on that at Newmarket recently, though, and yard saddles a stronger candidate in Hartswood.

Form: 153-66

(13)

Rodin²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: Raul Da Silva| T: A M Balding| OR: 80

50/1

Steady improver this year, scoring at Lingfield (7f, turf) in June prior to finishing second at Kempton and Newmarket. However, 4 lb 'wrong' at the weights and question marks regarding trip/ground.

Form: 214122

Forecasts

Cold Front (7/2), Finest Sound (5/1), Eastern World (11/2), Johan (13/2), Brunch (15/2), Hartswood (8/1), Visinari (14/1), Grand Rock (16/1), Overwrite (18/1), Mon Choix (18/1), Magnetised (25/1), Cloud Drift (28/1), Black Caspian (40/1), La Trinidad (50/1), Rodin (50/1), Duesenberg (80/1)

FINEST SOUND did too much too soon when third at Newmarket and, 4 lb better off with the runner-up Eastern World, he is taken to reverse the placings and emerge on top here from a good draw and with conditions in his favour. Hartswood, a C&D winner last time, is feared, along with Grand Rock who looks the pick of the William Haggas-trained trio. Cloud Drift also has claims despite his wide draw.