14:05 York

Friday 8 July 2022

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 2m 31.06s

(2)

Southern Voyage²⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: A Watson| OR: 89| D

5/2

Took his record to 3-5 last year with career best in 12f handicap at Thirsk in September but was unable to land a blow having raced keenly in a much deeper race (Old Rowley Cup) at Newmarket a month later. May well feature on return from 9 months off the track.

Form: 241110-

(6)

Bollin Joan^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| BF| CD

11/1

In the form of her life in May, scoring at York and Ripon. Kept busy since and turned in a rare-poor effort when finishing tailed-off last of 4 at Ripon just over 3 weeks ago. Back up in trip today and she needs to bounce back.

Form: 011554

(4)

Strawman¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: G Tutty| OR: 85

15/2

Won 3 times last summer and opened his account for this season when getting up late at Redcar (10f, good, 22/1) under this rider last month. Had plausible excuses at Carlisle since (challenged widest of all/lost a shoe) and he's the type to bounce back quickly.

Form: 12-5016

(1)

El Picador¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 85| D

7/1

Tricky ride but he's been in good form and did well to come from last to score at Musselburgh (12.5f, good to firm) last month. Bettered that form from a 5 lb higher mark when a close fourth at Carlisle since and it would be no surprise to see him on the premises.

Form: 013014

(7)

Forza Orta²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 85| BF

7/2

Opened his account for the season at Hamilton in May and having run a cracker over C&D next time, wasted no time putting a below-par Haydock effort behind him when seventh at Ayr just under 3 weeks ago. Back in Class 3 company today and could well make his mark.

Form: 3-31287

(8)

Geremia¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 84| D

14/1

Finished an unlucky third behind Evaluation at York in May but hasn't got near that form on both outings since, tailed off having been rushed forward following a slow start in Northumberland Vase at Newcastle just under a fortnight ago. Down in trip and others make more appeal.

Form: 14-5380

(5)

Fairmac^p1¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80

11/1

Quickly back on his game when runner-up at Ripon on penultimate start and probably found it barely enough of a test back down in distance when third at Beverley last time. Cheekpieces applied back up in trip/grade.

Form: 503723

(3)

My Little Queens¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: S De Sousa| T: R A Fahey| OR: 70

11/2

Made a winning return to action after 8 months off the track at Wetherby (10f, good, 11/2) last month and backed that up when runner-up in a deeper race at Carlisle 16 days ago. That effort left the impression there’s more to come, so she has to be of interest.

Form: 1561-12

Forecasts

Southern Voyage (5/2), Forza Orta (7/2), My Little Queens (11/2), El Picador (7/1), Strawman (15/2), Fairmac (11/1), Bollin Joan (11/1), Geremia (14/1)

Cases can be made for most but preference is for STRAWMAN. Gemma Tutty's charge had plausible excuses at Carlisle (challenged widest of all and also lost a shoe) so, having been progressive prior to that effort, he's very much the type to bounce back here. My Little Queens left the impression there’s more to come last time so she can give the selection most to think about, ahead of El Picador.