15:00 York

Friday 20 August 2021

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 10.13s

(11)

Berkshire Shadow²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 109| BF| D

3/1

Made winning start at Newbury and left that bare form behind when landing Coventry at Royal Ascot. Not seen to best effect when second in Vintage Stakes at Goodwood since. Respected under a penalty.

Form: 112

(7)

Lusail⁴³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 108| CD

7/2

Made a winning debut over C&D. Only third at Pontefract next time but much improved since, defying a penalty at Newmarket before narrow winner of July Stakes there. Leading player under 3 lb penalty.

Form: 1311

(3)

American Star²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 85| D

18/1

Off the mark at third attempt in Salisbury maiden (6f, good to soft) 27 days ago but taking a big step up in class.

Form: 621

(6)

Eldrickjones²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 103

16/1

Useful maiden, his standout effort coming when a strong-travelling second to Berkshire Shadow in the Coventry. Well held behind that rival on softer ground in Vintage last time and has his work out.

Form: 2255

(8)

Fearby²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: E Bethell| OR: 105| BF| D

5/1

Impressive when pulling 5 lengths clear in 5f Sandown listed and far from disgraced up in class when second in Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, albeit no match for winner. Likely to stay 6f. Place claims.

Form: 4112

(4)

Gis A Sub²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99| D

8/1

Looked a shade unfortunate not to come out on top on debut here but made amends when making all at Pontefract, showing good pace. Not seen to best effect in Richmond since and may have more to offer.

Form: 216

(10)

Last Crusader^p1²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: K R Burke| OR: 79| BF| D

40/1

Justified support to make a winning debut at Ayr but unable to land the odds under a penalty at Redcar next time. Headgear already applied and looks up against it.

Form: 14

(5)

Orazio³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 94| BF| D

15/2

£215,000 Caravaggio colt who made the perfect start in 6f Windsor novice. Better form when beaten under a length in listed race at Newbury next time and remains with potential.

Form: 13

(9)

Spitting Feathers⁵⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| D

66/1

Left debut run here well behind when winning Carlisle novice in June. That form is pretty ordinary so plenty to find at this level for all he's open to further progress.

Form: 51

(1)

Twilight Jet¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Leigh Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 100

18/1

Winner at Tipperary in June and useful form in defeat at a very high level since. Likely to find a few too strong again, though.

Form: 351756

(2)

Vintage Clarets³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 103

12/1

Won 5f novices at Beverley and Ayr before a fine third behind Berkshire Shadow and Eldrickjones in the Coventry. Not so good in Super Sprint at Newbury last time, however, hanging left.

Form: 41136

Forecasts

Berkshire Shadow (3/1), Lusail (7/2), Fearby (5/1), Orazio (15/2), Gis A Sub (8/1), Vintage Clarets (12/1), Eldrickjones (16/1), Twilight Jet (18/1), American Star (18/1), Last Crusader (40/1), Spitting Feathers (66/1)

LUSAIL was an impressive winner of a hot C&D maiden on debut and has scored in good style at Newmarket the last twice, beating subsequent Richmond winner Asymmetric in the July Stakes last time. He looks the one to beat on that form despite shouldering a 3 lb penalty. Berkshire Shadow also has a penalty having won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot but still rates the main threat ahead of Fearby.