14:00 York

Saturday 15 July 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

John Smith's Racing Handicap

Off time: 14:03 | Winning time: 1m 38.09s

(3)

Blue For You^v²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99| CD

7/2

Proved a model of consistency prior to deservedly opening his account for this yard over C&D in August, staying on to lead line. Good fifth on return at the Dante Meeting in May and probably best not judged too harshly on his run in last month's Royal Hunt Cup. Possibilities.

Form: 2170-50

(4)

Eilean Dubh^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 96| CD

5/1

Enjoyed a fine 2022, two of his 4 victories coming over this C&D. Mixed bag initially this spring but confirmed more positive signs from Sandown when successful in first-time tongue tie at Hamilton (8.3f) 11 days ago, well positioned. Expected to be thereabouts.

Form: 906031

(12)

Wild Lion^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Christian Howarth⁽⁵⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 95| C| D

8/1

Lightly-raced 5-y-o who confirmed himself equally as effective on turf as AW when posting career-best effort to score over 7f here 4 weeks ago, joined 1f out and finding extra. Rider's claim off-sets his subsequent weight rise and he has to be of interest again.

Form: 3021-01

(7)

La Trinidad⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Cieren Fallon| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 94| CD

11/1

C&D winner. Strong in betting and duly stepped up markedly on his comeback run when forging clear to take 11-runner Doncaster handicap (1m, good to firm) 6 weeks ago. Revised mark shouldn't prevent another good showing granted a good gallop to aim at.

Form: 6283-31

(9)

Isla Kai¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 92| D

15/2

Capitalised on drop in weights/class to end losing run at Ripon (1m, heavy) in April. Hasn't managed to replicate that in trio of starts on turf/AW since though, and others look stronger.

Form: 3-01008

(8)

Scottish Summit²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 92| D

20/1

Likeable veteran who resumed winning ways with bit to spare at Thirsk (7f) in May and turned in another creditable effort when third over 7f here 4 weeks ago, no extra final 100 yds. Little more needed in this more demanding affair, however.

Form: 45-5313

(1)

Rhoscolyn^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91

11/1

Smart handicapper at best but not found his form this year, weakening when hampered and ultimately well held in Buckingham Palace Stakes at the Royal Meeting latest. Mark does continue to slide at least.

Form: 00-8000

(2)

Aramaic^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91| C

16/5

Progressive, dual winner at 3 yrs. Missed whole of last year but confirmed he retains all of his ability in trio of starts so far this term, having every chance from the front when third at Sandown (10f) last week. Nudged up 1 lb on the back of that but not discounted here. Down in trip.

Form: 114/643

(10)

What's The Story^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 87| CD

14/1

Regular in good handicaps here over the years and benefited from drop in grade when landing 6-runner Carlisle handicap in May. Too free when last of 10 at Newcastle (1m) 16 days ago and he starts out for new yard now.

Form: 2-52130

(6)

Barley^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 85| D

80/1

Dual winner at 1m for Martyn Meade during first half of last term. 37,000 gns purchase for present stable thereafter but fairly low-key efforts so far this summer.

Form: 1040-66

(11)

Manigordo^p,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 83

33/1

Largely reliable sort who got on top late in the day over extended 7f at Beverley in June. Matched that when third from 3 lb higher mark at Musselburgh (7f) 10 days ago but this rates a much tougher ask.

Form: 3-42413

Non-Runners

(5)

Diamondonthehill³¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: M Dods J: Callum Rodriguez

Forecasts

Aramaic (16/5), Blue For You (7/2), Eilean Dubh (5/1), Isla Kai (15/2), Wild Lion (8/1), La Trinidad (11/1), Rhoscolyn (11/1), Diamondonthehill (12/1), What's The Story (14/1), Scottish Summit (20/1), Manigordo (33/1), Barley (80/1)

BLUE FOR YOU wasn't at his best in last month's Royal Hunt Cup yet, the return to this more speed-favouring track rates a plus and, having shaped well on return in a C&D handicap at the Dante Meeting, he could well be worth chancing to get back to winning ways from an easing mark. Dual C&D winner Eilean Dubh comes here on the back of success at Hamilton and is feared, with La Trinidad and Wild Lion others to consider.