14:35 York

Saturday 11 June 2022

All14:0014:3515:0515:4016:1516:5017:22

JCB Handicap

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 1m 24.4s

(3)

Azano^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Jonny Peate⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

25/1

Made virtually all the running when taking a listed event at Redcar in October. However, he has failed to make an impact on each of his three subsequent starts, including in the Chester handicap won by Boardman a fortnight ago.

Form: 23108-0

(1)

Boardman¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 99| CD

3/1

Won three on the bounce last spring, including over this C&D, and again goes in pursuit of the hat-trick following victories at Thirsk and Chester. 4 lb rise for latest succes leaves him on a career-high mark, though, so a personal best is needed.

Form: 0-41511

(4)

Young Fire^v¹⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

25/1

Bagged a Haydock handicap last summer and fine second in a big-field at Doncaster towards the end of the 2021 campaign. However, well held on the AW when last seen in December and looks vulnerable back from a break.

Form: 282558-

(9)

Titan Rock²⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 93| DWS

12/1

Looked better than ever when signing off last season on a winning note at Ayr (7.2f, good). This is more demanding up 3 lb on his seasonal reappearance (has undergone a wind op), but certainly one with an each-way shout.

Form: 135261-

(2)

Lion Tower²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 90| BF| D

7/2

Enjoyed a productive campaign in 2021, winning four times in total. Hasn't done much wrong on his three starts this season, solid placed efforts in 1m handicaps here the last twice, and likely to give another good account.

Form: 218-532

(7)

Maywake²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 87| CD

9/2

Ended 2021 on the up with back-to-back wins on the AW, and further progress when landing a big-field C&D handicap on return three weeks ago. Remains capable of better and he should be in the thick of things.

Form: 22211-1

(5)

Challet²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 85| CD

7/2

Registered second success on the Knavesmire in September and did little wrong back here last month when third in an 18-runner C&D handicap. Mark unchanged and another bold show could be on the way.

Form: 013-723

(6)

Mykonos St John^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: D Swift| T: S Dixon| OR: 82| D

14/1

Has been kept busy this year, going close twice here last month (beaten under a length when third to Maywake on latter occasion) and solid second to Boardman at Chester, too. Best to ignore latest run at Epsom (unsuited by the track) and he should be in the mix.

Form: 023720

(8)

Animal Instinct^t1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 79| D

16/1

All three wins gained on the AW and he hasn't made much of an impact in three starts switched to turf this year. Tongue strap applied.

Form: 12-7005

Forecasts

Boardman (3/1), Lion Tower (7/2), Challet (7/2), Maywake (9/2), Titan Rock (12/1), Mykonos St John (14/1), Animal Instinct (16/1), Young Fire (25/1), Azano (25/1)

MAYWAKE's theme of gradual progression continued when he made a winning reappearance over C&D last month and, entitled to come on for that run and indeed improve again, he looks the way to go. Challet's form figures on the Knavesmire read 1133 and he looks set for another leading role. Lion Tower also boasts some solid course form and he also enters calculations, along with Mykonos St John.