Alan McGuiness And Robin Lunness Memorial Handicap

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 1m 29.66s

(5)

I'm A Gambler¹⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85

9/1

Gained a third 6f nursery win when seeing off 5 rivals at Hamilton (6f) in September, digging deep under pressure. Creditable third at Doncaster final start in November and unlikely to be lacking for fitness on return.

Form: 110193-

(4)

Animato¹⁹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 79| D

10/3

Displayed race-by-race progress in maiden/novice events, off the mark at third attempt at Musselburgh (7f) in September. Soft ground may not have suited in York nursery final start but gelded ahead of return and he may yet have more to offer as a 3-y-o.

Form: 3410-

(1)

Evocative Spark^t⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: G Boughey| OR: 78| D

8/13

Lightly-raced winner who produced a career-best display when runner-up on return/yard debut over C&D 8 days ago, doing best of those up with the strong pace. Fancied to be firmly in the mix again from same mark.

Form: 4142-2

(2)

Ana Gold²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| C

9/1

Overcame greenness to narrowly land 5f novice here in August and ran best race when third of 11 on nursery debut at Newmarket (7f) in September, staying on despite hanging right. Possible she can do better again this term.

Form: 4143-

(3)

Matty Too^t¹⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 73

14/1

Responded well back at 6f when doubling career tally at Nottingham in September. Not in same form from inflated mark/faced with soft ground final 2 starts but gelded ahead of return and forecast quicker conditions a plus.

Form: 153145-

Forecasts

Evocative Spark (8/13), Animato (10/3), I'm A Gambler (9/1), Ana Gold (9/1), Matty Too (14/1)

EVOCATIVE SPARK ran his best race yet and was deserving of having his effort marked up having been up with the strong pace throughout when runner-up in a C&D handicap 8 days ago. Operating from the same mark, he gets the nod to go one place better. Animato is of interest also on return and can pose a threat, along with I'm A Gambler.