16:10 York

Sunday 6 September 2020

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0515:4016:10

Sky Bet Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 2m 35.62s

(5)

Awesomedude²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: George Rooke⁽³⁾| T: J Ferguson| OR: 82| D

85/40

Again showed a fine attitude to land the 4-timer at Salisbury 4 weeks ago, battling well. Up another 5 lb (now 23 lb higher since his winning run started) but looks sure to give another good account.

Form: 5-71111

(2)

Bollin Joan^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Ella McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79| D

17/2

In decent form since the restart, making all in a pair of 12f Ripon handicaps last month. The latest win was a notably thin affair and she will find it much tougher to complete the hat-trick here.

Form: 1-30511

(10)

Sudona³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77

10/1

Winner at Pontefract in July but below that level both starts since, turning in a rare-poor effort there 37 days ago. Needs to bounce back to feature.

Form: 2-22145

(6)

Daawy^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: George Bass⁽⁷⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 75

11/1

Holding his form well this year, including when finishing a creditable third under a more prominent ride at Catterick 12 days ago. Not without each-way hope.

Form: 8-63553

(7)

Hooflepuff^b¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Russell⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 74| D

22/1

Off the mark in first-time blinkers in 9-runner handicap at Wolverhampton in February. Better than ever when runner-up on turf debut in June but unsuited by conditions when down the field at Beverley.

Form: 621629

(3)

Ours Puissant^b⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Danny Redmond⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 72

18/1

Turned in easily his best effort of the season from a much-reduced mark when runner-up at Redcar 8 days ago, albeit no impression on winner. Others make more appeal.

Form: 9-50072

(8)

Nietzsche³⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 71| D

28/1

Failed to make an impact in couple of runs on AW following wind surgery in early-2019. Ran poorly when last seen over timber at Ayr 10 months ago and likely to need this run on return.

Form: 892/593-

(1)

Deinonychus^h¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: Erika Parkinson⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 70| D

20/1

At his best when the mud is flying and resumed winning ways at Haydock (1¼m, soft) in July. Brushed aside back there 2 weeks later but shaped as if back in form at Sandown 15 days ago. More needed.

Form: 6-83153

(4)

Flood Defence²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 70| D

12/1

Successful in pair of Class 5 events over 12.5f at Musselburgh since the resumption but was unable to get competitive the way the race unfolded at Chester 4 weeks ago, needing a stronger gallop.

Form: 70-5115

(9)

Firlinfeu^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Tyler Heard⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 70| D

4/1

Caught eye on penultimate start at Doncaster and duly confirmed that promise when bolting up in first-time cheekpieces at Ayr 13 days ago. That was impressive and he makes plenty of appeal again here.

Form: 9-94971

(11)

Firewater^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: C J MacRedmond⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 68

8/1

Consistent sort who again ran well to once again hit the frame again when second at Catterick 12 days ago. Enters calculations from just 1 lb higher mark.

Form: 53-2422

Forecasts

Awesomedude (85/40), Firlinfeu (4/1), Firewater (8/1), Bollin Joan (17/2), Sudona (10/1), Daawy (11/1), Flood Defence (12/1), Ours Puissant (18/1), Deinonychus (20/1), Hooflepuff (22/1), Nietzsche (28/1)

FIRLINFEU couldn't have been more impressive when bolting up in first-time cheekpieces at Ayr just under a fortnight ago. That was a career-best effort, and the way he won suggests that the 8 lb rise he received may not be enough to prevent the follow up. Firewater has been most consistent this year and he's taken to chase the selection home, ahead of the bang-in-form Awesomedude.