13:50 York

Friday 25 August 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Sky Bet Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 2m 30.04s

(5)

Paradias²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 95

11/1

Took his form to a new level when landing 9-runner handicap at Sandown on second run back in June. Has shaped as though still in top form both starts since from this mark and another bold showing looks likely upped slightly in trip.

Form: 36-2154

(10)

Wootton'sun¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 95| D

5/1

Gained reward for his consistency when winning 13-runner Old Newton Cup at Haydock (11.8f, good to firm) in July. Raised 5 lb and improved again when edged out in the dying strides at the Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot a fortnight ago. Up another 5 lb but he's on the shortlist.

Form: 5-23212

(8)

Educator^b1⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 92| BF

12/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who was perhaps a shade unlucky not to win when a neck second at Kempton in June, conceding first run and also having his challenge delayed. Just a fair third at Windsor since but a well-run race would help his cause.

Form: 20-8323

(2)

Mr Curiosity²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92| D

25/1

Back to winning ways on soft ground at Ripon last month. Up 3 lb in a better race but far from disgraced when fifth at Goodwood 3 weeks ago. Encounters different ground here.

Form: 88-5315

(7)

Marhaba The Champ²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: K A Ryan| OR: 91| C

8/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who resumed progress on back of 7 months off when landing 10f handicap here in May. Unable to continue the good work since but drying ground will be in his favour tackling a new trip.

Form: 218-160

(15)

Savvy Knight²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: S Woods| OR: 91| D

33/1

Rattled off a quick-fire hat-trick last year and added to tally for the season at Kempton in June, seeing off Educator. Excellent second at Newcastle last month and he has the same mark here.

Form: 8-48142

(14)

Toshizou⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 89

28/1

Useful operator for Joseph O'Brien and not far off that level for new yard, finishing a creditable seventh in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last time. Becoming well handicapped but has to conclusively prove he stays this far.

Form: 034847

(1)

Bague D'or³⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 88| BF| D

9/1

Hasn't stood much racing but career has been broadly progressive, winning twice over 14f last summer prior to an excellent second at Goodwood. Off the track for 13 months but joined a good yard and this mark looks within range. Fascinating runner.

Form: 62/2112-

(13)

Capital Theory²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 86

50/1

On the up with 3 AW wins in December and gained further success at Chelmsford in March. Flopped at Newmarket in May but given a break after and back on track to an extent when third on the July Course 3 weeks ago.

Form: 215273

(9)

Balance Play²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 95

3/1

Cashed in on a generous mark at the second attempt in straightforward fashion at Chester in June and improved another chunk when following up at Goodwood 3 weeks ago. Takes on his elders for the first time and he has a lot going for him.

Form: 43-2311

(11)

Dark Moon Rising²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 86| CD

11/1

Hasn't fulfilled his early 3-y-o promise, though dropped a long way in the weights as a result and he cashed in over C&D in July. This looks his trip but he's up 4 lb in a deeper race.

Form: 0-07031

(6)

Ravenscraig Castle^t,v²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: I Jardine| OR: 84| BF

28/1

Regularly gives his running, placed again at Hamilton 3 weeks ago but losing run dates back over 2 years and this isn't a race to break that sequence.

Form: 452223

(4)

Legendary Day^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Keatley| OR: 84| D

33/1

Revived by new connections to win 4 times between November and April, including on the level. Never a factor at Kempton in July and he's back markedly in distance.

Form: 175648

(3)

Intinso¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 90

9/2

Scored on debut in a Newcastle novice (1m) back in October. Well held in listed company on reappearance but off 3 months and back on track with a brace of placed efforts, no extra close home having pulled hard. May have more to offer for top yard.

Form: 1-733

Non-Runners

(12)

Zanndabad²

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: A J Martin J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Balance Play (3/1), Intinso (9/2), Wootton'sun (5/1), Marhaba The Champ (8/1), Bague D'or (9/1), Paradias (11/1), Dark Moon Rising (11/1), Educator (12/1), Zanndabad (14/1), Mr Curiosity (25/1), Ravenscraig Castle (28/1), Toshizou (28/1), Legendary Day (33/1), Savvy Knight (33/1), Capital Theory (50/1)

A cracking handicap to open the day and it may be worth chancing BAGUE D'OR on his return from 13 months off. He's transferred to a good yard in that time and his runner-up effort in a deep race at Goodwood from this mark confirms he's well treated if returning at that level. Balance Play and Intinso are 3-y-os taking on their elders for the first time and are a couple of potential threats.