16:05 York

Saturday 9 July 2022

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

John Smith's Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 2m 8.37s

(11)

Certain Lad²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: George Bass⁽⁵⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 107| C| D

33/1

Group 3 winner in 2020. Off 18 months, showed that he retains plenty of ability when second in Huxley at Chester and wasn't disgraced in Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot since. Not ruled out.

Form: 2106/28

(8)

Intellogent²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 105

7/1

Looked very talented during his early years in France, notably winning the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. Not long with this yard and seemingly as good as ever when runner-up in the Hunt Cup.

Form: 216-232

(9)

Chichester^t,v²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 103| D

33/1

Useful sort who was in good form before finishing down the field at Royal Ascot last time. Visor goes back on but others are more persuasive.

Form: 210-360

(10)

Anmaat²⁸⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: K Stott| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 103| BF| D

5/1

Highly-progressive 3yo last year who signed off with a terrific effort to finish second in the Cambridgeshire 9 months ago. Not seen since, which is an obvious concern, but he remains with potential.

Form: 132112-

(15)

Greatgadian²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 102| D

18/1

Much improved this year, winning a couple of small-field Chelmsford handicaps over 10f. Failed to translate that improvement back to turf when eleventh in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot last time.

Form: 158-110

(21)

Marie's Diamond²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 100

66/1

Useful horse who has an in-and-out profile this year, his latest fourth in a listed event here one of his better efforts. Doesn't have anything in hand off a mark of 100, though.

Form: 020504

(3)

Achelois⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| D

14/1

Progressed into a useful filly and improved again when runner-up on return at Epsom, travelling strongly. Seemingly amiss in listed company since but could get back on track.

Form: 1344-25

(5)

Mahrajaan⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| BF| D

5/1

Progressive last term and picked up where he left off when a smooth-travelling third at Haydock on reappearance. Yet to reach his peak and has to be taken seriously.

Form: 31113-3

(12)

Just Fine²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 97| BF| D

9/1

Rangy gelding who has been handled patiently by his expert trainer and has been better than the result on both outings this season, sixth in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot last time. Has a bigger effort in him.

Form: 0142-38

(13)

Forest Falcon⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| D

28/1

Seen to good effect as he resumed winning ways in the Zetland Gold Cup (10f) at Redcar in June and wasn't disgraced when mid-field in 15-runner event at Sandown last time. Needs more improvement.

Form: 345218

(1)

Brilliant Light²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 96| D

6/1

Useful performer who was back to his best when landing an 8-runner handicap at Ripon in May, then acquitted himself well when fourth in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot last time. One to consider.

Form: 04-4714

(6)

Caradoc³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Ross Coakley| T: E Walker| OR: 96| D

20/1

Hasn't won since 2019 but has shaped better than the result on multiple occasions, including when seventh (not ideally placed) at Epsom last time. It's quite clear that he needs everything to drop right.

Form: 42-5247

(19)

Cockalorum¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Rowan Scott| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 94| D

66/1

Useful sort who has run respectably the last twice, fourth at Hamilton last time. Summed up by his mark, though.

Form: 884-P44

(18)

What's The Story^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Billy Garritty| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 94| C

50/1

A regular in the big 1m/10f handicaps, a long time since he last won one (August 2019 at this track). Down the field in the Hunt Cup last time and cheekpieces go back on now.

Form: 0-04470

(7)

Baryshnikov³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: T D Barron| OR: 94| BF| D

40/1

Returned better than ever to score impressively at Pontefract and Chester, then did well in the circumstances (missed break) when third to Forest Falcon at Redcar last time. One to consider in a race that should suit his style.

Form: 453-113

(2)

Spirit Dancer¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| BF| D

22/1

Good second of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f, 10/3) 14 days ago, no match for winner. Bumped into one last time and may not have finished improving.

Form: 1249-82

(16)

The City's Phantom³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: S De Sousa| T: R Spencer| OR: 92| D

50/1

Made a winning return for the third straight season when bolting up at Yarmouth but failed to fire at Epsom next time. Has work to do.

Form: 2650-19

(4)

La Trinidad³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Sean Davis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 92| C

22/1

Improved last term, winning back-to-back course handicaps in June/July. Has generally held his form since, a creditable fourth at Epsom last time. Tries this trip for the first time.

Form: 964-804

(23)

Good Birthday^v¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| D

50/1

Arrives in good form, not really favoured by the small field when fourth at Newmarket last time. This sort of event should suit his style, but he'll need some luck from the widest berth.

Form: 03-6334

(14)

Rogue Bear⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S Donohoe| T: Tom Clover| OR: 91| BF

9/1

Progressive triple winner as a 3-y-o and has been at the top of his game this term, runner-up over C&D 57 days ago. Likely to have been primed for a bold showing.

Form: 411-332

(17)

Jewel In My Crown¹²^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Rae Guest| OR: 86| D

22/1

Likeable filly who took her form up another notch when landing a 6-runner event at Windsor last time. This big-field scenario could suit her patient style, so she's worthy of consideration.

Form: 55-4221

(22)

First View²⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽³⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 84

22/1

Has returned from a long absence better than ever this year and was well on top at the finish when scoring at Leicester in June. Up in trip, he deserves plenty of respect under a penalty.

Form: 0800/21

Forecasts

Anmaat (5/1), Mahrajaan (5/1), Brilliant Light (6/1), Intellogent (7/1), Just Fine (9/1), Rogue Bear (9/1), Achelois (14/1), Greatgadian (18/1), Caradoc (20/1), Spirit Dancer (22/1), First View (22/1), La Trinidad (22/1), Jewel In My Crown (22/1), Forest Falcon (28/1), Certain Lad (33/1), Chichester (33/1), Baryshnikov (40/1), What's The Story (50/1), Good Birthday (50/1), The City's Phantom (50/1), Cockalorum (66/1), Marie's Diamond (66/1)

INTELLOGENT has been revitalised by his new stable and, following an excellent second in the Hunt Cup, he gets the nod to go one better back up in trip. Mahrajaan boasts a progressive profile and is in excellent hands, so he's likely to go well, while a career-best showing from Just Fine would come as no surprise.