14:55 York

Saturday 10 July 2021

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

John Smith's Stayers' Handicap

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 3m 33.38s

(14)

Goobinator^h⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 78| D

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler who, while lightly raced on the Flat, showed he's of similar merit in this sphere when third at Carlisle last time. Hood and stronger pace could bring more out of him.

Form: 321/4-3

(8)

Mr Chua^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: M Scudamore| OR: 77| D

7/1

Progressed steadily in staying handicaps last summer, winning twice at up to 2m. Added to tally over hurdles in March but beaten a long way on back of a wind op behind East Asia at Goodwood in May.

Form: 11220-0

(4)

Arctic Fox²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 77| C

12/1

Well treated on past form and showed plenty of spark remains when runner-up at this course last time. Big player if he gets the much longer trip.

Form: 3430-52

(16)

Daawy⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 76

20/1

Off 5 months before a couple of respectable efforts this term but needs more help from the handicapper. Not guaranteed to get the longer trip, either.

Form: 3734-24

(7)

Chocolate Box³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 73| D

28/1

Arrives on a losing run and wasn't at his best when fifth of 6 at Ripon last time. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: 522385

(11)

Kangaroo Point^p¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Ian Williams| OR: 71| D

33/1

Likeable stayer who landed a hat-trick on the AW earlier this year but has seemed in the handicapper's grip subsequently. Cheekpieces back on returning to turf.

Form: 4-11125

(9)

Sociologist^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: J P Sullivan| T: S Dixon| OR: 70

20/1

Won at Thirsk in May. Up and down since, well held at Newbury 18 days ago. Hard to fancy.

Form: 118425

(2)

Nakeeta^h²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 8-13| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 70| BF| C

17/2

Ended a long losing sequence at Ayr in September and has run creditably in defeat so far this term. Respected.

Form: 167-432

(10)

Flint Hill³³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: P Hanagan| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 69

7/1

Just good enough to land a thin handicap from a reduced mark at Pontefract last time. Had nothing to spare and this is significantly tougher, so looks vulnerable.

Form: 655/6-31

(3)

Lady Isabel^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parr| OR: 69

7/1

Better than ever this year, a point underlined by her convincing success at Brighton 18 days ago. Yet to try this far but shapes as if she'll stay, so very much one to consider.

Form: 435-521

(13)

Arabist^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 69

18/1

Front runner who seemed unsuited by a change of tactics at Chester last time. Not really threatening to win despite his sliding mark.

Form: 730-543

(5)

Clifftop Heaven²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Walford| OR: 68

8/1

Latest win at Wolverhampton in May and has held his form since, albeit without looking streets ahead of his mark.

Form: 621423

(6)

Contrebasse^b³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 66| BF| D

12/1

Back to his best under an enterprising ride when narrowly touched off at Ripon last time. Tends to go well there and forcing tactics aren't as easy to pull off at this track.

Form: 047-252

(15)

Ghadbbaan¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 65| BF

5/1

Winner at Thirsk in May and, while he's appeared to be summed up by his mark since, he's a likeable sort who should give his running once more.

Form: 051344

Non-Runners

(1)

Proton³⁹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: A W Carroll J: Connor Beasley

(12)

Nataleena⁵

Weight: 8-4| Age: 5

T: B Haslam J: M Dwyer

Forecasts

Ghadbbaan (5/1), Flint Hill (7/1), Lady Isabel (7/1), Mr Chua (7/1), Clifftop Heaven (8/1), Nakeeta (17/2), Goobinator (12/1), Arctic Fox (12/1), Contrebasse (12/1), Arabist (18/1), Daawy (20/1), Sociologist (20/1), Chocolate Box (28/1), Kangaroo Point (33/1), Nataleena (33/1), Proton (50/1)

ARCTIC FOX is well treated and back in form so, while the longer trip is an unknown, it's worth taking a chance on her to take this wide-open staying handicap. Lady Isabel arrives better than ever and ranks as a danger along with Nataleena who, admittedly, would need things to pan out ideally.