16:10 York

Wednesday 18 August 2021

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Sky Bet Handicap

Off time: 16:19 | Winning time: 3m 32.78s

(4)

Nicholas T^h³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Robinson| T: J S Goldie| OR: 99| C| D

25/1

Likeable sort who came from well back to land Northumberland Plate in June. Better than he could show in John Smith's Cup and then found the test inadequate at Ayr. Interesting back up in trip.

Form: 371105

(11)

Island Brave¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Main| OR: 99| D

18/1

Useful and consistent handicapper who finished a never-nearer fourth in 10-runner contest at Ascot (2m) 11 days ago. Should continue in form.

Form: 4569D4

(5)

Who Dares Wins^v¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: A King| OR: 98| D

33/1

Smart dual-purpose performer who won last year's Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot, but there are signs that he's not quite the force of old, again making little impression at Goodwood last time.

Form: 626007

(17)

Future Investment¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98| D

11/1

Is as consistent as they come, running as well as he ever has in finishing clear of the rest when third in 14f event at Goodwood (heavy) 18 days ago. Can go well again.

Form: 60-9523

(16)

Get Shirty^t1⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98

16/1

Much improved in 2020, winning handicap at Chantilly and listed race at Deauville. Below that level on Bordeaux reappearance but has claims on the pick of his form back in a handicap for new yard.

Form: 13176-6

(8)

Hochfeld¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 98

40/1

Kept busy since Nottingham success in April, running a fine race when second in Northumberland Plate in June. Disappointing subsequently, though, so a bounce back is called for.

Form: 572790

(1)

Themaxwecan^p1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 97| D

33/1

As good as ever when landing valuable prize at Musselburgh (1¾m) on return but comfortably held all 5 starts since. On the plus side, he's dipped below his last winning mark and cheekpieces may help.

Form: 130008

(9)

Bodyline^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 95

10/1

Useful form in handicaps last season, ending campaign with a win at Yarmouth. Proved as good as ever when runner-up on Musselburgh return and could still have a bit more to offer on first try at 2m.

Form: 26201-2

(15)

Scaramanga³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 93| D

7/2

Improved over hurdles in the spring and returned from 3 months off with a career best back on the Flat to 12-runner handicap at Newbury (16.5f) 32 days ago, just holding on. May do better still.

Form: 2/4325-1

(6)

Prince Imperial¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Tyler Heard⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 92| D

22/1

Quickly resumed winning ways under a well-judged front-running ride in 4-runner handicap at Pontefract (17.1f, heavy) 14 days ago. That form is probably not worth much but he's proving progressive.

Form: 449121

(12)

Rajinsky¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 91| D

7/1

Consistent stayer who won at Ripon in April and unlucky not to finish closer when third in Northumberland Plate. Rare below-par effort at Goodwood 19 days ago and type to bounce back quickly.

Form: 412360

(13)

Arcadian Sunrise¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: J P Spencer| T: J Queally| OR: 90| BF| D

11/4

Big improver over hurdles this summer, winning last 2 starts in handicaps, so has to be taken seriously now returning to this code. Interesting.

Form: 231-3

(14)

Platform Nineteen^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: C Lee| T: M L W Bell| OR: 89| BF| CD

6/1

Most progressive when racking up 4-timer in 2019. Missed 2020 but proved better than ever to score easily on belated return at Beverley and confirmed that improvement in a stronger affair at Goodwood.

Form: 1117/15

(10)

Torcello⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: S Lycett| OR: 89| D

66/1

Back to form when taking advantage of reduced mark at Newmarket in May, albeit allowed an easy lead. 4 lb higher in a much more competitive event now, however.

Form: 1/20-061

Non-Runners

(3)

Makawee¹⁸

Weight: 9-10| Age: 6

T: D O'Meara J: Jason Watson

(2)

Elysian Flame¹⁹

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: M & D Easterby J: D Allan

(7)

Here And Now³⁰⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 7

T: R M Beckett J: H Crouch

Forecasts

Arcadian Sunrise (11/4), Scaramanga (7/2), Platform Nineteen (6/1), Rajinsky (7/1), Elysian Flame (7/1), Bodyline (10/1), Future Investment (11/1), Here And Now (14/1), Get Shirty (16/1), Island Brave (18/1), Makawee (20/1), Prince Imperial (22/1), Nicholas T (25/1), Themaxwecan (33/1), Who Dares Wins (33/1), Hochfeld (40/1), Torcello (66/1)

ARCADIAN SUNRISE, a big improver over hurdles this summer, is potentially well treated back in this code, so there's plenty to like about his claims. Bodyline is a low-mileage 4-y-o who could still have a bit more to offer on his first try at this trip, while another good run seems assured from the likeable Elysian Flame.