13:45 York

Saturday 9 July 2022

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

John Smith's Racing Handicap

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 1m 36.54s

(7)

Young Fire^v⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Jason Hart| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99| BF| D

16/1

It's now twelve runs since his last win in 2021 but he arrives in good nick, conceding first run when fourth of 12 in handicap at Haydock (7.2f) 7 days ago. In the mix off an unchanged mark.

Form: 2558-24

(1)

Isla Kai²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 98| D

2/1

Yet to add to his four 2021 wins this term but he comes here on the back of good sixth of 29 in Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot 24 days ago. Expected to be bang there off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 12-4046

(2)

Scottish Summit²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: K Stott| T: G A Harker| OR: 94| D

12/1

Resumed winning ways at Newcastle in May and not discredited both runs since, needing a stronger gallop when fifth of 8 to Tammani at Redcar (7f) 21 days ago, Considered eased 1 lb.

Form: 022135

(4)

Via Serendipity²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 93| D

25/1

Scored at Sandown in June but only sixteenth in Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot since. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 16-8410

(10)

Blue For You^v²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93| D

11/1

Useful ex-Irish 1m winner who posted good neck third of 7 to Via Serendipity in 1m handicap at Sandown 28 days ago. Visor replaces cheekpieces. In the picture.

Form: 0104-73

(5)

Tammani¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| D

20/1

Got off the mark for current yard at Redcar in June but below-par fourth of 6 at Doncaster (7f) 14 days ago. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 4-44714

(8)

Eilean Dubh²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 90| CD

4/1

C&D winner who is best forgiven his latest eleventh at Pontefract given he had the worst of the draw dropped to 6f. Not taken lightly back up in trip now.

Form: 133110

(3)

Challet¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 84| CD

5/1

C&D winner but his run of good form came to an end when last of 9 in handicap at Musselburgh (7.2f) 10 days ago. No surprise to see him get back on track.

Form: 3-72339

(9)

Garden Oasis^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| CD

18/1

C&D winner but he arrives on the back of two below-par runs over C&D and at Carlisle. Falling in the weights but more is still required.

Form: 0-70008

(6)

Blenheim Boy²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 89| C| D

8/1

Course winner who wasn't disgraced when fourteenth of 30 in Brittania Handicap at Royal Ascot 23 days ago. One for the shortlist.

Form: 061-180

Forecasts

Isla Kai (2/1), Eilean Dubh (4/1), Challet (5/1), Blenheim Boy (8/1), Blue For You (11/1), Scottish Summit (12/1), Young Fire (16/1), Garden Oasis (18/1), Tammani (20/1), Via Serendipity (25/1)

A tightly-knit handicap in which marginal preference is for ISLA KAI who can race off a mark 2 lb lower than when a gallant sixth in the Royal Hunt Cup and is taken to open his account for the season. Both Young Fire and Eilean Dubh were not seen to best effect at Haydock and Pontefract respectively on their most recent runs and can chase home Nigel Tinkler's 4-y-o in that order.