14:40 York

Sunday 5 September 2021

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5017:20

John And Judith Marshall Memorial Handicap

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 1m 12.12s

(1)

First Folio²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 97| CD

7/2

C&D winner in June who arrives on back of excellent fourth of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) 22 days ago, running on. Enters calculations eased 1 lb now.

Form: 4-15104

(3)

Nomadic Empire^p¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95

14/1

It's now eleven runs since his last win in 2020, and below form twelfth of 22 in handicap here 18 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 229020

(10)

First Edition⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 92

9/1

Winless in 2021 but he posted good third of 9 in handicap at Goodwood (6f) 7 days ago. Can give another good account. Engaged Ascot 4.55 Saturday.

Form: 40-3703

(9)

Desert Gulf⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 91| D

22/1

Turned in a rare poor run in his hat-trick bid (scored twice at Yarmouth) when last of 3 in 6f handicap at Ffos Las 9 days ago. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 604113

(6)

Bergerac³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 88| D

15/2

Gained breakthrough win at Pontefract in April and runner-up both starts since, leading long way in 6f handicap at Doncaster 36 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 26-2122

(4)

Pagan^t³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 87| D

3/1

Improving sort who made it 2-5 this year in 6f handicap at Brighton (10/11) 30 days ago. Up 8 lb but had plenty in hand there and is sure to be of interest again for leading yard.

Form: 6-22121

(2)

Imperium Blue¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Faye McManoman⁽³⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 86| C| D

15/2

Off the mark for 2021 at Redcar in June and good third of 12 in 5f handicap here 15 days ago, despite being slowly away. Course winner too, so he's one to consider.

Form: 012373

(11)

Ey Up It's Maggie^p¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁵⁾| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 86| BF

12/1

Scored at Carlisle in May and has continued in decent nick, fifth of 13 in 5f handicap here 18 days ago. Ought to be competitive again.

Form: 541335

(7)

Internationaldream^p1²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85| D

25/1

Dual winner in 2020 but he arrives under a cloud, last of 9 in handicap at Ascot (6f) 29 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time with work to do.

Form: 370609

(8)

Cottam Lane²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 81| D

9/1

Off the mark for the season with a much improved effort in bagging 6f handicap at Pontefract (9/4) 21 days ago, gamely making all. Not discounted despite a 4 lb rise.

Form: 6-55441

(12)

Ava Go Joe^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| BF

25/1

Scored at Beverley in June and in excellent form until last of 6 in handicap at Chester (5.1f, good to soft) 15 days ago. Can bounce back now.

Form: 122266

(5)

Lost My Sock^p1,t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 71

100/1

Continues to fall in the weights without showing any sign of taking advantage, fourth of 6 in 5f handicap at Chester 15 days ago. Cheekpieces reached for now and 5 lb out of the handicap too.

Form: 369744

Forecasts

Pagan (3/1), First Folio (7/2), Bergerac (15/2), Imperium Blue (15/2), Cottam Lane (9/1), First Edition (9/1), Ey Up It's Maggie (12/1), Nomadic Empire (14/1), Desert Gulf (22/1), Ava Go Joe (25/1), Internationaldream (25/1), Lost My Sock (100/1)

A few in with a shout, but PAGAN looked to have plenty left in the locker when going in at Brighton last time and the improving sprinter is taken to defy an 8 lb rise in the weights at the chief expense of C&D winner First Folio who is greatly feared. Course scorer Imperium Blue appeals as the pick of the rest and can take minor honours in a competitive handicap.