17:20 York

Saturday 21 August 2021

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

Sky Bet Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 58.4s

(9)

Blackrod⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Billy Garritty| T: M Dods| OR: 91

5/1

Hamilton novice winner (6f) as a 2-y-o who is progressing nicely this term, building on his second over 6f here when getting on top close home at Newmarket (6f) last month. That unlikely his limit.

Form: 217-721

(8)

Ben Macdui^b1⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: O McSweeney⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 90| D

40/1

Useful winning juvenile (runner-up in Grp. 3 Molecomb) but yet to build on that this campaign, well beaten over 6f here when last seen in June. Return to 5f a plus if blinkers have a positive effect.

Form: 256-630

(11)

Muker^b²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Harry Russell| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 89| CD

33/1

Two wins last year and placed at listed/Group 3 level. Some sound efforts in defeat this term and underfoot conditions a possible excuse for last month's below par Goodwood effort. Blinkers refitted.

Form: 2-44640

(4)

Rebel At Dawn^p²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 89| D

12/1

Had plenty of racing already and resumed winning ways at Nottingham (5f) prior to a couple of solid efforts in defeat. Recent efforts have been below that level, midfield at Goodwood (5f) last time.

Form: 312646

(2)

Showalong²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Ella McCain⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| CD

5/1

All 3 wins have come on soft/heavy including when taking Chester handicap (5.1f) in May. Never looked like threatening from the rear at Goodwood (5f) in July but early-season form gives him claims.

Form: 1-41509

(13)

Digital¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 86| D

5/1

Placed in a strong Goodwood handicap in July and had little trouble resuming winning ways in 4-runner Ripon handicap (5f) 12 days ago. Not out of things with rider's claim off-setting weight rise.

Form: 60-2831

(3)

Miss Nay Never²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: William Carver| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 86| D

25/1

All 3 career wins over 5f on tapeta, showing a good attitude in Newcastle handicap latest. Close third at Haydock on penultimate start shows she's as good on turf. This is tougher, though.

Form: 21-8131

(10)

Imperium Blue²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler| OR: 86| CD

12/1

Course winner who capitalised on easing mark to score at Redcar (5f) in June. Placed on 2 of his 3 subsequent starts but disappointed at Doncaster 3 weeks ago and he can ill afford a slow start here.

Form: 601237

(14)

Blind Beggar²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: Joanna Mason| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83| BF

11/2

Easy winner of a Catterick maiden (6f) and eye-catching efforts in handicaps on 2 of his 3 starts since, only reeled in by pair of seasoned sprinters over 6f here latest. Interesting back at 5f.

Form: 621603

(7)

A Pint Of Bear²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: Kieran Schofield⁽³⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 83| D

4/1

Dual fibresand winner last year who has surpassed AW exploits on turf, narrow winner at Catterick prior to solid placed efforts over C&D/Goodwood last month. Foolish to discount another good showing.

Form: 577122

(12)

Tashgheel⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: William Cox| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 82

22/1

Fairly useful gelding who ended time with Dermot Weld with success in a Listowel maiden (6.2f) in June. Joined a yard enjoying a good spell with their runners, so worth a close look in the betting.

Form: 2547-01

(6)

Kraken Power^p¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: Tyler Heard⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 79

33/1

Eleven runs since sole success in a Hamilton maiden (6f) in June of last year. Plenty of placed efforts to his name this term but he was readily seen off by Digital at Ripon on his latest outing.

Form: 233833

Non-Runners

(5)

Atalis Bay⁴⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: M Botti J: Stefano Cherchi

(1)

Kevin The Minion¹¹

Weight: 8-0| Age: 3

T: I Furtado J: Elle-May Croot

Forecasts

A Pint Of Bear (4/1), Blackrod (5/1), Digital (5/1), Showalong (5/1), Atalis Bay (5/1), Blind Beggar (11/2), Imperium Blue (12/1), Rebel At Dawn (12/1), Tashgheel (22/1), Miss Nay Never (25/1), Muker (33/1), Kraken Power (33/1), Ben Macdui (40/1), Kevin The Minion (66/1)

An ultra-competitive finale and it may pay to side with Richard Fahey's BLIND BEGGAR. He's shaped with plenty of promise on each of his last 2 starts on the Knavesmire, possibly overdoing things on the front end when reeled in only by a couple of seasoned sprinters over 6f latest and a bold bid is anticipated back at 5f. Digital, Showalong and Blackrod head the dangers, along with A Pint Of Bear.