15:00 York

Thursday 12 May 2022

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

Paddy Power Hambleton Handicap

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 36.71s

(7)

Brunch³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Jason Hart| T: M Dods| OR: 104| CD

11/2

Likeable type who was just touched off from 3 lb lower mark in this race 12 months ago. Hard to knock his efforts in defeat this term, 4 lengths third of 7 in Newmarket listed race (9f) last month. Expected to give another good account.

Form: 7175-83

(14)

Bless Him^h²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 104| D

18/1

Useful gelding who, well backed, capitalised on the drop in grade when striking fast and late at Newcastle (7f) in March. Similar form when third in conditions' event at that venue (1m) latest but he's never won from a mark this high.

Form: 063513

(15)

Isla Kai²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 100| D

10/3

Rapid improver as a 3-y-o, completing hat-trick of 1m victories prior to a smashing second in a C&D event at the Ebor Meeting final start. Solid fourth on return in Spring Cup and he's of interest with prospect of even more to come.

Form: 41112-4

(12)

What's The Story^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 97| CD

13/2

Dual C&D winner back in 2019 who finished fifth in this race 12 months ago from 9 lb higher mark. However, seen only 4 times subsequently and not his best when fourth at Kempton in April.

Form: 2500-04

(1)

Cruyff Turn¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 97| CD

8/1

Developed into a useful handicapper last term, gaining fourth victory of campaign over C&D in August, granted the run of the race but proving determined. Better for return when midfield in Thirsk Hunt Cup and expected to give a good account.

Form: 7144-67

(3)

Hortzadar¹⁹

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

11/1

Winless last season but returned in good order from reduced mark, confirming previous promise to end losing run at Ripon (1m) 3 weeks ago. 4 lb higher in this more competitive scenario but foolish to rule him out.

Form: 40-0241

(4)

Redarna^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 94| D

14/1

Gained seventh course victory at Ayr (7.2f) in September and arrives here on the back of a career-best display when landing last month's Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m), displaying a good turn of foot. However, even more needed from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 37186-1

(10)

La Trinidad²¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 93| CD

12/1

Improved again last term, winning back-to-back course handicaps in June/July. Far from disgraced in defeat back here next 3 starts, fourth of 20 in a class 2 C&D event final start but present mark just demands that little bit more.

Form: 611964-

(6)

Snash¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 91

25/1

Both victories for Charlie Hills came in small field AW events but he stepped up on return/yard debut when eighth in last month's Thirsk Hunt Cup, keeping on having briefly met trouble. Remains relatively early days with him and he may have more to offer.

Form: 7/100-78

(13)

Garden Oasis^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| CD

100/1

Largely thrived on a busy 2021, successful at Ayr/Ripon either side of a C&D victory in July. Shaped as if needing last month's return at Ripon but he'll need to step up plenty on that to feature here.

Form: 01180-7

(2)

Lion Tower¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 89| D

17/2

Good advert for his shrewd yard last term, gaining fourth victory in handicaps at Musselburgh (7f) in August. Shaped up really well on return when fifth in Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m) and he's fancied to give another good account.

Form: 31218-5

(11)

Ataser²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: T Kent| OR: 86| C

16/1

Won 3 of his 5 starts at 2 yrs back in 2020, including nurseries here and Doncaster. However, seen only 3 times since, understandably shaping as if needing first run for 7 months at Newmarket in April. This promises to reveal more.

Form: 211/05-6

(5)

Lightening Company³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 85| D

14/1

Progressive 4-y-o who was let down by jumping only start over hurdles but quickly back on the up to score at Redcar (1m, soft) last month, showing a good attitude. This tougher but he's still low-mileage. Not discounted.

Form: 122-421

Non-Runners

(8)

Gifted Ruler¹⁸⁷

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: H Palmer J: Cieren Fallon

(9)

Trais Fluors¹²

Weight: 8-9| Age: 8

T: M R Channon J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Isla Kai (10/3), Brunch (11/2), What's The Story (13/2), Cruyff Turn (8/1), Trais Fluors (8/1), Lion Tower (17/2), Hortzadar (11/1), La Trinidad (12/1), Lightening Company (14/1), Redarna (14/1), Gifted Ruler (14/1), Ataser (16/1), Bless Him (18/1), Snash (25/1), Garden Oasis (100/1)

A most progressive 3-y-o handicapper, ISLA KAI produced a solid comeback effort when fourth in last month's Spring Cup at Newbury. He has plenty about him physically to think he can rate higher still this term and earns the vote to come out on top. Trais Flours doesn't find winning easy but lurks on a handy mark so is feared, along with Hortzadar and Lightening Company.