16:45 York

Saturday 21 August 2021

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

Sky Bet Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 11.35s

(6)

Sinjaari²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 105| CD

18/1

Enjoyed finest hour to date over this C&D last July when landing the John Smith's Cup, but current mark is 10 lb higher and he misfired on the AW when last seen in January. Debut for new yard.

Form: 0/1022-4

(9)

Migration²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: D Menuisier| OR: 103| D

3/1

Unlucky not to make a winning comeback (first run for 21 months) at Salisbury in June. Subsequently landed a Glorious Goodwood handicap (1¼m, soft) in good style and an 8 lb rise looks manageable.

Form: 7125/41

(16)

Power Of States^t,v⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 100| D

50/1

Improved performer on AW since last autumn, winning 5 times in this visor and tongue tie combination. Conversely, he's 0-12 on turf and though not disgraced at Royal Ascot, others make greater appeal.

Form: 3-14149

(12)

Qaader²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 107| D

6/1

Improved for step up to this trip when landing a Glorious Goodwood handicap (good to soft) with a great deal of authority (Aerion Power 4 lengths back in third). 8 lb rise fair and he's a big player.

Form: 0-21741

(1)

Cockalorum²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 99| D

14/1

Has taken his form to a new level this year, following back-to-back wins in May with a near-miss in the C&D John Smith's Cup. Third to Migration at Goodwood last time and not without each-way hope.

Form: 3-21123

(7)

Montather³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 97| BF| D

25/1

Lightly-raced 4-y-o who defied a 12-month absence when landing a Chelmsford handicap upped to this trip in April. Too free at Doncaster next time, though, and needs to get back on track here.

Form: 1/31-15

(14)

Fishable^p,t⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 95| D

10/1

Returned to form when gamely prevailing at Ripon (all 3 career wins gained there) in May. Didn't do much wrong when fifth off this mark in the John Smith's Cup last time, but this is more demanding.

Form: 23-4815

(13)

Strait Of Hormuz⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 95| D

11/1

Below par initially season, but right back to form when a close third in the John Smith's Cup last month. Up 4 lb for that, but he's one to consider nonetheless with Andrea Atzeni taking over.

Form: 219-763

(4)

Lucander²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 95| CD

17/2

Successful in this race off 1 lb lower last term, prior to finishing a fine second in the Cambridgeshire. However, a repeat victory doesn't appear likely judged on this season's efforts.

Form: 83-2009

(3)

Aerion Power²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 101

7/1

Completed the hat-trick at Doncaster in May and unlucky not go in again there last month. Good 4 lengths third to Qaader at Goodwood (1¼m, good to soft) since and now 8 lb better off with that rival.

Form: 1-11023

(17)

Good Birthday^v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 93| D

16/1

Snapped a losing run when landing the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar in May. Bagged another decent pot at Doncaster (1¼m, good) last time, for which a 2 lb rise is fair, but this is much tougher.

Form: 8D1491

(11)

Wahraan²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: K Shoemark| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 96| D

7/1

Soft-ground Pontefract maiden winner who handled the faster surface with aplomb when following up in a Newmarket handicap (1¼m) last month. This is much tougher up 10 lb, but he's clearly progressive.

Form: 05-2211

(2)

Ebury²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: L Morris| T: S Dixon| OR: 88

50/1

Dual winner for Martyn Meade and has acquitted himself well on both visits here for present yard, fine second in a 1m handicap last month. However, well held at Goodwood since and stamina to prove.

Form: 0-36820

Non-Runners

(5)

Dawaam²¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: Owen Burrows J: Jason Watson

(8)

Al Zaraqaan⁴²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: Tom Marquand

(10)

Harrovian²¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: J & T Gosden J: James Doyle

(15)

Snow Ocean⁴³

Weight: 8-8| Age: 5

T: P D Evans J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

Forecasts

Migration (3/1), Qaader (6/1), Wahraan (7/1), Aerion Power (7/1), Lucander (17/2), Fishable (10/1), Harrovian (10/1), Strait Of Hormuz (11/1), Cockalorum (14/1), Dawaam (14/1), Good Birthday (16/1), Sinjaari (18/1), Al Zaraqaan (20/1), Snow Ocean (20/1), Montather (25/1), Ebury (50/1), Power Of States (50/1)

It was hard not to be impressed by the way MIGRATION swept past the whole field under William Buick at Goodwood, especially considering that they didn't go hard up front. This 5-y-o still has relatively low mileage and an 8 lb rise may not be enough to stop him. Qaader was also impressive at that meeting and is feared, while the progressive Wahraan and Strait of Hormuz are others to consider.