13:50 York

Wednesday 11 May 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 2m 33.2s

(5)

Global Storm^p⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Harry Davies⁽⁷⁾| T: C Appleby| OR: 106| D

9/1

Progressed into a smart handicapper last season and proved at least as good as ever with a game success at in Meydan in February. Unlucky not to finish closer when third in a Group 2 there a month later and he warrants plenty of respect back in handicap company.

Form: 2060-13

(2)

Zabeel Champion²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: K Shoemark| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 103| D

33/1

Completed a hat-trick in handicaps on the Flat around this time last year and progressed well over hurdles last season, showing a tenacious attitude to take his record to 2-4 at Haydock 25 days ago. Respected if he can take that form with him back on the level.

Form: 111393-

(11)

On To Victory¹³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: A King| OR: 100| D

25/1

Returned in 2021 with a solid effort in a listed event at Goodwood but failed to kick on from that effort in 3 subsequent outings (had excuses on final start at Newbury). Respectable efforts over timber last winter and there's every chance he can be competitive from this mark.

Form: 17/2509-

(6)

Sam Cooke¹⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 97| CD

7/1

Had hood left off and back to winning ways over C&D in August. Backed that up with good Newbury second next start and again ran well 7 weeks later when third in November handicap at Doncaster. Still relatively few miles on the clock so one to consider on reappearance.

Form: 044123-

(8)

Just Fine²²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 97

9/1

Strong at the finish and took form to a new level when landing 8-runner handicap at Sandown 9.9f in July. Did quite well to finish second at Salisbury when last seen 7 months ago and he retains potential as a 4-y-o.

Form: 3/80142-

(10)

Dark Jedi¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 97| D

16/1

Bounced back to best with his reappearance under his belt when runner-up at Musselburgh but not in same form at Newmarket since, compromising his finishing effort by refusing to settle. Drop back in trip looks the way to go and is the type to bounce back quickly.

Form: 620-426

(3)

Graphite^t¹⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: T Kent| OR: 95| D

33/1

Smart miler in France for Andre Fabre in 2019 who produced best effort for current yard when scoring at Ascot last August. Back on track when sixth in November handicap at Doncaster (advantaged by being brought toward the stand rail) and this outing should reveal where he's at.

Form: 842196-

(7)

Gaassee^t¹⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 94| D

6/4

Progressive over the winter, continuing his race-by-race development when completing the hat-trick with any amount in hand on handicap debut at Kempton in December (runner-up has won 3 times since). Looks just the type to climb the ranks for top connections so high on the shortlist.

Form: 3111-

(4)

Kings Prince^h1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89| D

40/1

Won first 2 career starts and returned with a great run from the front when runner-up in Leicester handicap over this trip. Tailed-off last at Epsom just over 3 weeks ago so he has something to prove now given how his form tailed off last year. Hood applied.

Form: 1404-29

(9)

Noble Masquerade^b¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: W Buick| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 88

18/1

Enhanced a good course record at Windsor when scoring at that venue on reappearance 16 days ago, forewarned by market confidence (well-backed 13/8 favourite). Big step up in class here but form figures read 22111 with William Buick on board so he can't be discounted.

Form: 15824-1

(1)

Forza Orta¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: Rowan Scott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 78

9/2

Yet to finish out of the first 3 in his career and produced a career-best effort to double his tally at Hamilton 10 days ago, edging ahead final 1f. This much tougher and has a 5 lb penalty to carry so others make more appeal on balance.

Form: 2213-31

Forecasts

Gaassee (6/4), Forza Orta (9/2), Sam Cooke (7/1), Just Fine (9/1), Global Storm (9/1), Dark Jedi (16/1), Noble Masquerade (18/1), On To Victory (25/1), Graphite (33/1), Zabeel Champion (33/1), Kings Prince (40/1)

An ultra-competitive curtain-raiser to the 2022 Dante Festival in which preference is for GAASSEE, who had plenty up his sleeve when making a winning handicap debut at Kempton in December, and with further improvement on the cards, William Haggas' charge can complete an impressive 4-timer on this return to action. Global Storm took his form up a notch in Meydan earlier this year so he heads up the dangers with Harry Davies taking off a valuable 7 lb, ahead of On To Victory and Sam Cooke.