14:40 York

Saturday 27 May 2023

All13:3514:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

William Hill Epic Boost Handicap

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 57.56s

(10)

Korker⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 103| CD

10/3

Prone to slow starts but a classy sprinter when it all clicks and stepped up on his reappearance when second in 13-runner C&D handicap (firm) 9 days ago, faring best of those held up. Nudged up 3 lb but still firmly in the mix.

Form: 3827-02

(5)

Chipstead²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 102| D

12/1

Better than ever last year, winning 5f Sandown and Catterick handicaps (first past the post in the Portland in between). Needs to cast aside a poor run in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on return but that's possible now returning to handicap company.

Form: 21219-0

(4)

Fine Wine^b¹⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Dixon| OR: 102| CD

13/2

Came back thriving from a break when landing a brace of AW events at the end of 2022, namely a handicap and conditions event. Went off too hard at Newcastle on most recent outing and needs to resume progress now back on turf.

Form: 1011-27

(7)

Alligator Alley^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| CD

11/1

Completed AW hat-trick at Southwell in January. A bit below his best since though, running a typical race back on turf when sixth of 13 over C&D 9 days ago.

Form: 144306

(3)

Bedford Flyer^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: M Appleby| OR: 97| CD

4/1

Blitzed his rivals returned to the AW at Southwell in November and posted another cracking effort when second at Wolverhampton a month later. Below par next 2 outings but shaped well on first run for new yard when third of 13 over C&D 9 days ago. Respected off same mark.

Form: 612-763

(13)

Zarzyni^p⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Barron| OR: 96| D

16/1

Ended last season with a couple of below-par efforts but shaped as if better for the run when fifth of 13 in 5f handicap at Musselburgh on reappearance 49 days ago. Now 3 lb below last winning mark, so merits consideration.

Form: 30000-5

(2)

Mondammej^h⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 95| D

13/2

Losing run dates back to 2021 but he's dropped below his last successful mark and shaped as if back in form when fourth in 13-runner handicap over C&D (firm) 9 days ago. Has to be of interest.

Form: 2000-54

(1)

Burning Cash³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 90| D

20/1

Won twice at Doncaster (5f) from similar marks last summer and possibly still needed the run when down the field at Newmarket (5f, soft) last time. Not without hope.

Form: 4709-08

(12)

Copper Knight^t⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 85| CD

22/1

Veteran sprinter who has been a fine servant for connections, winning 6 times over this C&D, including this race in 2017. Shaped okay when fourth at Pontefract on reappearance but has run below that form both starts since.

Form: 770-469

(14)

Music Society⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Harrison Shaw| T: T D Easterby| OR: 84| D

22/1

Fairly useful performer who was all the better for his reappearance when runner-up at Thirsk and found only one too good again back at that venue 9 days later. Likely to continue in form.

Form: 731-022

(9)

Squealer¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 92| CD

16/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark down in grade over C&D in September and followed up at Beverley later in the month. Signed off with a solid sixth in Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket and shaped as if needing the run when well held on handicap debut/return at Chester in the mud.

Form: 36116-0

(6)

Spring Is Sprung⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: Joanna Mason| T: P T Midgley| OR: 80| D

33/1

Won a 6f handicap on his 2022 reappearance. Found life tougher later in the year but ran creditably on first outing since leaving Michael Bell after 5 months off (sold for 45,000 gns) when fourth in 12-runner event at Southwell (5f) 57 days ago. On a competitive mark and not ruled out back on turf.

Form: 03640-4

(8)

Sound Of Iona¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-3| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 80| D

28/1

Caught the eye under a change of tactics back over the minimum trip when fifth of 9 in handicap at Musselburgh (5f, good) 12 days ago, not clear run over 1f out. This mark probably isn't beyond her.

Form: 298-005

(11)

Reigning Profit^v¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 79| D

18/1

Has hit the ground running this year, making it 3 wins from 5 starts in 6-runner handicap at Ripon (5f, heavy) 15 days ago, always holding on. More needed back up in grade, though.

Form: 7-51151

Forecasts

Korker (10/3), Bedford Flyer (4/1), Mondammej (13/2), Fine Wine (13/2), Alligator Alley (11/1), Chipstead (12/1), Zarzyni (16/1), Squealer (16/1), Reigning Profit (18/1), Burning Cash (20/1), Copper Knight (22/1), Music Society (22/1), Sound Of Iona (28/1), Spring Is Sprung (33/1)

A typically competitive sprint handicap. MONDAMMEJ has dropped below his last successful mark and looked back in form when fourth over C&D last week, so he's taken to strike. Korker fared best of those held up when finishing ahead of the selection last time but is now 5 lb worse off at the weights with that rival so may struggle to confirm the form. Zarzyni is another to consider with his reappearance under his belt.