14:40 York

Friday 14 May 2021

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1516:50

Matchbook 'Best Value' Exchange Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 11.93s

(7)

Khagan⁵⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100

33/1

Useful performer in France, placed in listed event/Group 3 after winning his maiden in 2019. Left A. Fabre for 13,000 gns in October 2020, then gelded. Market should offer up some clues.

Form: 13235/

(9)

United Front⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Appleby| OR: 98| D

25/1

Proved better than ever to resume winning ways in 5-runner handicap at Chelmsford City (10f) 42 days ago, though that was a thin race for the grade, so he'll need to pull out more now back on turf.

Form: 221231

(12)

Irish Admiral²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95

7/2

Maiden winner at Dundalk in 2020 for J.J. Fearne who needed only to be pushed out to complete a straightforward task in 5-runner novice at Wolverhampton 20 days ago. Remains with potential.

Form: 13-1

(1)

Satono Japan¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 95

11/1

Kempton debut winner lightly raced for his age and shaped well making handicap debut under considerate handling after 6 months off when fifth at Chelmsford (10f). First go on turf. Capable of better.

Form: 1/34-5

(4)

Blue Cup²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: D Menuisier| OR: 93| D

5/2

Low-mileage 5-y-o who quickly developed into a useful performer for this yard last season. Could hardly have shaped any better on return at Epsom, so very much of interest.

Form: 14/515-5

(11)

Pivoine^v¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| CD

28/1

2019 John Smith's Cup winner but struggled for form last year and needed to see more on reappearance at Chelmsford. On the upside, he's been eased a further 4 lb.

Form: 34078-7

(3)

Fishable^p1,t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92| D

13/2

Made up into a useful performer last year and should still have more to offer this time around following a solid reappearance at Ripon. Wears first-time cheekpieces and not taken lightly.

Form: 11023-4

(6)

Surrey Pride¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: James Doyle| T: J Tuite| OR: 90| D

5/1

Progressed well to bag 10f handicaps at Newbury and Chester last term. Not seen to best effect on 2 of his 3 subsequent starts and appeals as the type to go on again as a 4-y-o.

Form: 411557-

(5)

Uzincso⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: S M Levey| T: J Butler| OR: 88

50/1

Career best when winning 11-runner handicap at Kempton (8f, 3/1) 58 days ago. 3 lb rise is tolerable, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to continue the good work back on turf.

Form: 111-411

(10)

Sameem²⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: G Lee| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| D

40/1

Three-time winner in 2019 but failed to fire last term, markedly so in first-time blinkers latest start, so reappears for a new stable with a lot to prove.

Form: 154/760-

(8)

Chichester^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: F Norton| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 86| BF

50/1

Improved to get off the mark in good style on first outing for Keith Dalgleish at Newcastle (1m) in April. Still looked on a fair mark from 9 lb higher there last time so can remain competitive.

Form: 2582-14

(2)

Makram³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: B A Curtis| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 85| BF

15/2

Looked a useful prospect when landing 1m Ascot handicap on his turf debut last summer. Not seen to best effect either start since, including on reappearance, so remains one to bear in mind.

Form: 21818-5

Forecasts

Blue Cup (5/2), Irish Admiral (7/2), Surrey Pride (5/1), Fishable (13/2), Makram (15/2), Satono Japan (11/1), United Front (25/1), Pivoine (28/1), Khagan (33/1), Sameem (40/1), Chichester (50/1), Uzincso (50/1)

BLUE CUP could hardly have shaped any better on his return at Epsom last month, not stretching it to say he'd have won with a clear run, so he has to be the selection. Satono Japan is a lightly-raced 4-y-o who remains capable of better, while Makram and Irish Admiral are others to take seriously in a good-quality handicap.