15:30 York

Sunday 22 May 2022

All15:3016:0016:3517:0517:3518:0518:40

Sky Bet Sunday Series Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 15:34 | Winning time: 2m 31.36s

(13)

Kihavah¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 86| CD

5/1

Fairly useful hurdler (twice a winner over timber this year) who confirmed the promise of his Chester run when scoring over C&D under this rider 11 days ago, staying on well. 7 lb rise seems fair so considered.

Form: 338-261

(14)

Pride Of Priory¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Elisha Whittington⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85| BF

14/1

Low-mileage son of Pivotal who confirmed previous promise when landing a Ripon maiden (9.7f) in August and readily followed up when accounting for sole rival on handicap bow at Haydock (10.5f) in September. Excuses at Chester on return (strong in betting) and worth another chance.

Form: 3311-0

(11)

Charging Thunder¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85| D

14/1

Good runner-up efforts both starts this season but record in big fields here isn't great.

Form: 0210-22

(8)

Enthused²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: J Parr| OR: 83| D

50/1

Twice a winner last season, namely novice at Beverley on return and handicap at Catterick final start. Had a bit in hand for latter success so respected up only 3 lb.

Form: 155831-

(3)

First Impression³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 83

13/2

Capable of useful form on the Flat and run some good races over hurdles last season. Not taken lightly.

Form: 0502-84

(15)

Happy¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Oliver Stammers| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83

11/1

Looked a useful performer in the making when making all in Beverley novice event on return and good third in Hamilton handicap since, coming from further back than the pair that beat him. Should have more to offer still.

Form: 3/273-13

(17)

Annandale²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Harry Russell| T: J S Goldie| OR: 83

10/1

Respectable efforts all 3 starts this season, not ideally placed the way things developed when fourth of 9 in handicap at Hamilton (13.1f, good) 3 weeks ago. Back down in trip.

Form: 019-344

(5)

Kattani^t²⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Theodore Ladd| T: M Appleby| OR: 82

40/1

Built on his Newbury second to go one better under a good ride at Nottingham (10.2f, soft) in October. Not so good at Newmarket later that month and off since. Can go well fresh.

Form: 4/58215-

(6)

Magna Moralia¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Laura Pearson| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 81| D

22/1

Suited by emphasis on stamina when producing a career-best to take apprentice event at Pontefract on return. Not in same form at Hamilton since, however.

Form: 6520-19

(4)

Howzer Black^h¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrew Breslin| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 81

25/1

Kept on the go since winning at Nottingham in September and back to form when second at Hamilton 2 weeks ago. Potentially on a handy mark if building on that.

Form: 004032

(18)

Topanticipation^h⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 76

7/1

Better than ever when winning 4-runner handicap at Leicester on return last week and was runner-up in a couple of C&D handicaps last season, so claims can be made under a penalty.

Form: 25226-1

(9)

Freak Out¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽⁵⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 80

12/1

Winner at Redcar in September and decent placed efforts at Newcastle both starts since 6 months apart. Good apprentice booked so not impossible up in trip.

Form: 36712-3

(16)

Casilli³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Planas⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 80

33/1

Likeable mare who enjoyed a very productive 2021, readily gaining fourth course victory at Beverley in August, and looks set for another good season judged on her excellent comeback second there last month. Up in trip.

Form: 23115-2

(1)

White Willow¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Murtagh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79| D

6/1

Progressive sort who was off the mark at third attempt at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in January. Ran well when third in a messy affair tactically back there on handicap bow before quickly resuming winning ways on turf debut at Thirsk 2 weeks ago. Still unexposed and remains of interest.

Form: 32-131

(12)

El Picador¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Garritty| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 79| D

12/1

Winner of the second of his two starts last season and back in the winning groove when taking a six-runner Musselburgh handicap (12.5f, good) last month. Good third over C&D since (unlucky not to finish a clear second given the persistent interference he met) and should go well again.

Form: 1-63013

(20)

Eclipse De Lunar^p,t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Brandon Wilkie⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 68

80/1

Fair performer who has been below par since winning at Ayr (13f) in September, including both starts this season.

Form: 4198-58

(19)

Two Brothers¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Jonny Peate⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 64

50/1

Still a maiden and well held at Nottingham on return. Becoming expensive to follow.

Form: 53236-5

(7)

Paramaribo²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Kieran Schofield⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 61

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Good ¾-length third of 6 to El Picador in handicap (8/1) at Musselburgh (12.5f, good) 24 days ago. 5 lb better off with that rival here so not taken lightly.

Form: 0/35-3

Non-Runners

(10)

Dragons Will Rise¹²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 6

T: Micky Hammond J: Aiden Brookes

(2)

Sociologist²

Weight: 8-2| Age: 7

T: S Dixon J: Jack Duern

Forecasts

Kihavah (5/1), White Willow (6/1), First Impression (13/2), Topanticipation (7/1), Annandale (10/1), Happy (11/1), El Picador (12/1), Freak Out (12/1), Charging Thunder (14/1), Pride Of Priory (14/1), Paramaribo (16/1), Dragons Will Rise (16/1), Magna Moralia (22/1), Howzer Black (25/1), Casilli (33/1), Sociologist (33/1), Kattani (40/1), Enthused (50/1), Two Brothers (50/1), Eclipse De Lunar (80/1)

WHITE WILLOW did well to run down the second after that one got first run in a steadily-run race at Thirsk 2 weeks ago so this lightly-raced 4-y-o tops the shortlist with further improvement on the cards. Happy and Kihavah head the dangers in a competitive opener.