19:55 York

Friday 22 July 2022

All17:2017:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:25

Gallop Racing Handicap

Off time: 19:55 | Winning time: 2m 11.30s

(5)

Lucander²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 100| BF| CD

9/2

C&D winner who ended last term in good form and duly stepped up plenty on return to score eased in class at Windsor (10f) in May, asserting close home. Not seen to best effect when last of 5 back at that venue 4 weeks ago and record here is a solid one.

Form: 022-715

(1)

Marching Army^p²⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: D Tudhope| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 94| D

9/2

Improved steadily as a 3-y-o, landing 2 of last 3 starts equipped with cheekpieces at Kempton (11f) back in November. Absence since will hold no fears given connections and he's of interest returned to turf.

Form: 218411-

(4)

Spirit Dancer¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93| D

13/8

Clearly sharper for Epsom return when second at Newcastle (10f) in May and more than backed that up when fourth in the John Smith's Cup 2 weeks ago. Raised 1 lb since but this less demanding and of interest with a repeat.

Form: 249-824

(2)

What's The Story^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 90| C

4/1

A regular in the big 1m/10f handicaps, a long time since he last won one (August 2019 at this track). Respectable enough tenth in John Smith's Cup on latest outing but he doesn't quite look the force of old.

Form: 044700

(3)

The Flying Ginger³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 84| CD

11/2

Dual winner in 2021 (including over C&D) who has steadily regained full fitness this season, running best race despite doing plenty on the front end when third in a Pontefract listed event (12f) last time. Drop in trip a plus and she's of interest.

Form: 600-963

Non-Runners

(7)

Good Birthday¹³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 6

T: A M Balding J: David Probert

(6)

Silver Gunn²⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: M Botti J: N Callan

Forecasts

Spirit Dancer (13/8), What's The Story (4/1), Lucander (9/2), Marching Army (9/2), The Flying Ginger (11/2), Silver Gunn (7/1), Good Birthday (8/1)

This looks wide open and it could pay to take a chance on THE FLYING GINGER. Successful from a 2 lb higher mark over C&D last summer, she ran her best race of the campaign when third in a Pontefract listed event and this rates more suitable. John Smith's Cup fourth Spirit Dancer and the returning Marching Army are others to consider.