14:25 York

Saturday 20 August 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 2m 55.85s

(4)

Wild Crusade^p⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 102

4/1

Upwardly-mobile son of Dubawi who took back-to-back AW events earlier this year and having caught the eye when runner-up over 11.8f here in May, he duly stepped forward again to defeat stablemate Warren Point (boosted form next time) at Ascot (12f) in July. Interesting up in trip.

Form: 92-1121

(3)

Soul Stopper⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 93| D

10/1

Definite promise in trio of starts as a 2-y-o and, having been gelded, he' resumed progress to land a Salisbury maiden (12f) in June. Stepped up again to readily follow up in a Chester handicap (14.4f) last month and he's an intriguing contender here.

Form: 632-411

(10)

Aimeric³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 92

14/1

Frankel colt who chased home Savvy Knight on debut at Nottingham (10.2f) prior to finishing fourth in another strong maiden at Newmarket a month later. Improved on back of 9 weeks off to open his account at Chester 1½m in July. Can do better again now handicapping.

Form: 241

(13)

Caius Chorister²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: D Menuisier| OR: 92

10/1

Rapid improver switched to staying handicaps, completing 5-timer with a bit to spare at Goodwood (11.2f) 3 weeks ago. Good bit more on her plate now though from career-high mark.

Form: 611111

(2)

Temporize²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92| BF

33/1

Postponed gelding who made a very bright start to career last month, landing back-to-back novice events 11 days apart on AW/turf (at 12f). Third quick run may have come too quick on handicap bow at Newmarket latest and unlikely we've seen the best of him.

Form: 113

(6)

Al Nafir⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: C Appleby| OR: 92

11/2

Brother to top-class winner up to 1½m Ghaiyyath who confirmed debut promise to open account in a Kempton novice (1m) in November. Improved again conceding upwards of 10 lb all round when second on return at Newmarket (10f) and longer trip an obvious plus now handicapping. Player.

Form: 21-2

(12)

Savvy Knight^p1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: S Woods| OR: 92| BF

14/1

Son of Caravaggio who impressed in landing first 3 starts and emerged with even more credit when fourth in King George V handicap at Royal Ascot in June, keeping on well having run a shade green. Last of 3 at Sandown (14f) since but far too soon to be writing him off.

Form: 11143

(9)

Mr Alan^p⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Rowan Scott| T: G Boughey| OR: 92

50/1

1m maiden winner as a 2-y-o and better form in defeat tackling longer trips this season, staying on from off the pace when eighth in King George V handicap at the Royal Meeting in June. Longer trip needs to unlock further progress, though.

Form: 14-6258

(5)

Nusret^t³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: M P Sheehy⁽³⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 91

10/1

Knocked firmly on the door prior to getting off the mark in a Curragh maiden (12f) in July, noted travelling smoothly throughout. Shapes as if 1¾m will hold no fears and stable's runners always command respect.

Form: 4-22321

(1)

Inverness²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 89

16/1

Goodwood maiden winner (1m) at 2 yrs who has largely acquitted himself with credit in handicaps this term, running on for third behind Secret State at Goodwood (12f) 24 days ago. However, didn't totally convince on sole previous try at this trip.

Form: 61-6033

(7)

Sheer Rocks¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Tom Marquand| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 89

20/1

Likeable type who overcame the run of the race to score cosily at Chester (10.3f) in July. Hard to crab his efforts in defeat since, forced to switch/lost momentum but responded well to re-take close third over 12f at Ascot 2 weeks ago. Longer trip may unlock further progress.

Form: 853143

(8)

Adjuvant²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽⁵⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 88

25/1

Well served by step up to 12f when resuming winning ways at Newmarket in July, leading 1f out and keeping on well. Not seen to best effect in stronger company at Goodwood (12f) subsequently and he's worth a crack at this trip on balance.

Form: 9-33418

(11)

Soulcombe^b,t1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 83

3/1

Frankel gelding out of smart performer who has stepped up markedly for switch to handicaps/application of blinkers, landing small-field handicaps at Haydock/Ascot (12f). Good fourth from unpromising position at Goodwood (12f) since and unlikely he's finished progressing yet. Interesting.

Form: 0-55114

Forecasts

Soulcombe (3/1), Wild Crusade (4/1), Al Nafir (11/2), Caius Chorister (10/1), Nusret (10/1), Soul Stopper (10/1), Aimeric (14/1), Savvy Knight (14/1), Inverness (16/1), Sheer Rocks (20/1), Adjuvant (25/1), Temporize (33/1), Mr Alan (50/1)

A typically intriguing renewal of this valuable handicap with the vote in favour of SOULCOMBE. He's looked a different model for being gelded/equipped with blinkers, landing handicaps at Haydock/Ascot prior to catching the eye from an unpromising position when fourth at Goodwood latest. Promising to be suited by this longer trip, he makes plenty of appeal at the foot of the weights. Godolphin-pair Wild Crusade and Al Nafir also have plenty to recommend them and can figure, along with Sheer Rocks