16:25 York

Saturday 9 October 2021

All13:3014:0214:3715:1515:5016:2517:00

Coral Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 3m 46.53s

(4)

Gumball¹⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: F O'Brien| OR: 90| D

9/4

Smart hurdler/chaser nowadays but he posted very good third in 14f handicap at Salisbury on his final run for Philip Hobbs in May. Has gone well off a break before though so interesting for new yard.

Form: 1114/4-3

(2)

Solo Saxophone^v³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: B Haslam| OR: 89| CD

18/1

C&D winner but he's yet to fire in four runs this term, cheekpieces on when only eighth at Newcastle 33 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 13-9048

(7)

Buriram²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: R M Beckett| OR: 87

11/2

Still to score this term but he arrives in good nick, clear second of 6 in handicap at Chester (12.3f, soft) 29 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 2-23302

(8)

Autumn War^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87

13/2

Yet to add to his two 2020 wins, but he's knocking on the door, second of 8 over C&D 15 days ago. Well in the mix off an unchanged mark.

Form: 522202

(5)

Eagle Court¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84

11/2

Three-time winner in 2020 who arrives in great form, just failing in 14f handicap at Haydock 15 days ago. Merits serious consideration nudged up just 1 lb.

Form: 064432

(3)

Benadalid⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 83

22/1

Scored at Ripon in May and got back on track when third in 12f handicap at Newcastle 8 days ago, nearest finish. Has his stamina to prove here though.

Form: 136853

(6)

Midrarr^t⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 83

11/2

Dual winner at Wolverhampton this summer but he came in last of 6 at Newmarket (14f) 56 days ago when the run possibly came too quickly. Tongue strap back on now and sort to bounce back.

Form: 755116

(9)

Author's Dream^v²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: W J Knight| OR: 83| D

11/1

Off 5 months and cheekpieces on when below-form eighth of 13 in 2m handicap at Haydock 27 days ago. Visor refitted now but others remain more persuasive.

Form: 5510-58

(1)

Pianissimo^b³⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: William Carson| T: A Carson| OR: 82| D

40/1

Winless since 2019, and he returns from 10 months off now after finishing well held over hurdles. Others appeal more on this occasion.

Form: 706246-

(10)

Red Force One²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: D Swift| T: P A Kirby| OR: 76| D

25/1

Ayr scorer in the spring and he fared better than of late when third of 4 in 12f handicap at Catterick 21 days ago. Not discounted off a reduced mark.

Form: 606053

Forecasts

Gumball (9/4), Buriram (11/2), Midrarr (11/2), Eagle Court (11/2), Autumn War (13/2), Author's Dream (11/1), Solo Saxophone (18/1), Benadalid (22/1), Red Force One (25/1), Pianissimo (40/1)

EAGLE COURT went down only narrowly at Haydock last time and is fancied to gain a deserved first win of 2021 at the chief expense of Autumn War, who is also knocking on the door and rates a big threat. The returning Gumball is another who warrants plenty of respect on his first run for Fergal O'Brien in a competitive staying handicap.