Yorkshire Wonder Horse Maiden Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 5.79s

(1)

Montelusa²⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72

13/2

Fair performer who proved consistent in maiden/novice events at up to 6f last summer. Absent since running below best when last of 5 in nursery at Hamilton (6f) in July so interesting to see what the market makes of him on return. Blinkers left off.

Form: 423335-

(6)

Shine's Ambition³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 69

3/1

Fair colt who may have needed the run when fourth in 6-runner Southwell novice (5f) 5 weeks ago. Handicapper has afforded him a chance and better expected here.

Form: 02337-4

(3)

Premier Option¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 69

11/2

Profitable gelding who displayed race-by-race progress in maiden/novice events last term (best effort over C&D). Not so good in pair of nurseries thereafter but no surprise to see him get back on track returning from 6 months off.

Form: 82200-

(2)

Jamie Bond²²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Smart| OR: 69

5/2

£130,000 breeze-up buy who displayed promise on 2 of his 3 starts in maiden/novice company on turf last summer. Never involved on final start at York in September but gelded ahead of return/handicap debut and market confidence behind him would look significant.

Form: 636-

(4)

Grandad Bob¹⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 65WS

9/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Ran below form of his first 2 starts when last of 7 in a C&D novice event in October, weakening from halfway. Had wind op ahead of return/handicap debut. One to note in the betting.

Form: 557-

(5)

South Dakota Sioux^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 59

9/2

11/2, creditable fourth of 10 in handicap at Southwell (5f) 8 days ago. Has good chance on form.

Form: 823454

Forecasts

Jamie Bond (5/2), Shine's Ambition (3/1), South Dakota Sioux (9/2), Premier Option (11/2), Montelusa (13/2), Grandad Bob (9/1)

The betting should prove useful but SHINE'S AMBITION ought to be sharper for his comeback run at Southwell 5 weeks ago and, having been given a chance by the assessor, he could well make a bold bid returned to handicap-company. South Dakota Sioux, who ran well himself recently, is next best, ahead of Premier Option.