14:55 York

Saturday 9 July 2022

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

John Smith's Stayers' Handicap

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 3m 32.40s

(7)

Blow Your Horn¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: S Donohoe| T: R Menzies| OR: 80

25/1

Winner of back-to-back AW handicaps last spring, but he's 0-7 on turf and was some way below his best when last of 7 at Newbury (12f) 18 days ago. Has since switched yards but still to prove his effectiveness on ground firmer than good.

Form: 354-037

(13)

Khilwafy⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: D Thompson| OR: 79| D

40/1

Modest in bumpers but more like it switched to Flat on all weather, adding pair of Newcastle handicaps to his tally (at 2m) earlier this year. Struggled up in class on AW Finals' Day but this rates more suitable.

Form: 15-2119

(10)

Danni California^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: R Spencer| OR: 78| BF

10/3

Built on solid exploits on AW to resume winning ways in clear-cut style at Wetherby (14f) in June, readily accounting for a next-time-out winner. Unlucky not to follow up at Thirsk (12f) since (left with too much to do) and she remains one to be interested in.

Form: 244212

(5)

Black Kalanisi³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: F O'Brien| OR: 77| D

4/1

Versatile performer who is consistent in this sphere, resuming winning ways at Goodwood (2m) 5 weeks ago, kicking on over 1f out and proving game. No reason why he won't go well again from 2 lb higher mark.

Form: 8/2-1441

(1)

Kasperenko^p⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Dane O'Neill| T: E J Alston| OR: 74| C

40/1

Narrow winner of an apprentices' handicap on debut for Eric Alston here (11.8f) in September. Now 4 lb below that winning mark, but subsequent efforts not so good and he's essentially opposable. Back up in trip now with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 4-93678

(8)

Witham River³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 72

14/1

Winless following 7 starts for Joseph O'Brien but he did step up on his return/yard debut effort when third of 5 over having first crack at this trip at Ripon last month. Promising apprentice takes off valuable 5 lb if he can build on that here.

Form: 2200-63

(4)

Flint Hill²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 71

13/2

Twice successful over 17f at Pontefract last summer and right back on song when second in Pontefract Cup (18f) 3 weeks ago, worn down well inside final 1f. Good third from 2 lb lower mark in this race 12 months ago and he's well worth considering again.

Form: 14-4942

(3)

Gift Of Raaj³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 71

12/1

7-y-o who is enjoying a productive campaign, making it 2 wins from last 4 starts when rallying to lead again close home at Doncaster (14.5f) 5 weeks ago. However, this demands a little more from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 87-3131

(9)

Tiger Jet¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 70

8/1

Maiden hurdler who ran well on 2 of his 3 starts in novice events on Flat earlier this year. Has yet to find any improvement for the switch to handicaps though, never a threat tackling this trip for first time at Newcastle 2 weeks ago.

Form: 22660

(12)

Lord Caprio^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Harrison Shaw| T: B Haslam| OR: 67| D

33/1

Three-time winner on AW at Newcastle who added a couple of hurdle victories to his tally last summer. Run right up to best in defeat in that sphere of late and interesting what the market makes of him returned to the level.

Form: 112194/

(11)

Ghadbbaan^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Walford| OR: 65| BF

5/1

Runner-up from 2 lb higher in this race 12 months ago and doubled career tally for new yard at Doncaster (11.9f) in March. Arrives here in good nick, runner-up at Newmarket 16 days ago and no surprise to see him thereabouts for all he's an infrequent winner.

Form: 164492

(2)

Fandabidozi¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 65

25/1

Sole success to date came in an AW maiden back in 2020 but he does arrive having run best race to date for present yard when 6.5 lengths third of 8 at Chester (15.9f) 2 weeks ago, keeping on.

Form: 765-563

(6)

Tommaso³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: F Norton| T: P A Kirby| OR: 63

18/1

Hurdles winner who never figured on return here (11.8f) but did run creditably admittedly in a thin race when second of 3 at Musselburgh (14f) last month. Worth a crack at this longer trip on balance.

Form: 4587-72

Forecasts

Danni California (10/3), Black Kalanisi (4/1), Ghadbbaan (5/1), Flint Hill (13/2), Tiger Jet (8/1), Gift Of Raaj (12/1), Witham River (14/1), Tommaso (18/1), Blow Your Horn (25/1), Fandabidozi (25/1), Lord Caprio (33/1), Kasperenko (40/1), Khilwafy (40/1)

Successful either side of finishing third in this race 12 months ago, FLINT HILL arrives having run right up to his best when runner-up at Pontefract 3 weeks ago and he looks sure to go well again from this 1 lb higher mark. Danni California, who also arrives in top form, is a player stepping up to 2m, whilst Ghadbbaan and Black Kalanisi are others expected to be in the shake up.