17:00 York

Friday 13 October 2023

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Copper Knight - Winning Most Horse At York Handicap

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 1m 1.58s

(3)

Bond Chairman²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Russell| T: B Smart| OR: 95| D

33/1

At least as good as ever when making a successful reappearance at Doncaster in June. Good third at Ascot the following month but not in the same form since, running no sort of race at this C&D 20 days ago. On a workable mark but needs to get back on track.

Form: 4-13050

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(7)

Dakota Gold¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 94| CD

13/2

Fine servant to connections (6-time course winner) but has struggled since returning from a 4-month break, never involved at Ripon (6f) 13 days ago. Lurks on a dangerous mark if rediscovering his old form.

Form: 1-37000

(9)

Looking For Lynda^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 88| CD

5/1

Bounced back to his best when scoring for the first time in handicap company at this C&D last month, getting the better of Wen Moon. Not discredited when runner-up in minor event at Beverley (5f, heavy) 17 days ago and he can give another good account.

Form: 734812

(8)

Wen Moon²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: B Haslam| OR: 84| D

10/3

With the headgear left off, showed improved form when runner-up at this C&D both starts last month, beaten by the reopposing Looking For Lynda on the first occasion before only narrowly denied 20 days ago. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 454522

(11)

Strong Johnson¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: B A Curtis| T: P T Midgley| OR: 84| D

11/1

Ended long losing run at Redcar (6f) in August and, after a below-par effort at Doncaster, soon back to form when scoring at Ripon (5f, good) 13 days ago. Remains well treated on the form he had shown when trained in Ireland.

Form: 631201

(4)

Never Dark¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Alex Jary⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 84| D

6/1

After a promising run in the Ayr Silver Cup, proved better than ever when recording a third win of the year at Haydock (5f, soft) 13 days ago, making all under Alex Jary. Leading contender.

Form: 761971

(14)

Nomadic Empire^p³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83| C| D

16/1

Has continued to fall in the weights this year and ran better than of late when third of 7 in handicap at Thirsk (6f, good to soft) last month, though was again slowly away. Task is now to build on that.

Form: 655893

(10)

Copper Knight^p,t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| CD

14/1

Seven-time course winner, including success in this corresponding event in 2018. Bounced back to form when making all over C&D in July and again ran well here when fifth in August. Lesser effort at Haydock last time, but can't be discounted at this venue.

Form: 113950

(13)

Shalaa Asker^p⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: A Keatley| OR: 82| D

16/1

Likeable type who has won 4 times this year, digging deep under a positive ride when scoring at Pontefract (6f, good) in June. Not ideally placed when seventh of 20 at this course in August and he can give his running once more.

Form: 832147

(2)

Dickieburd²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: William Pyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 81| D

17/2

Suited by the strong pace when returning to winning ways at Catterick (5f, good) in August and hasn't been to able to repeat that effort in 2 starts since, eighth of 19 at this C&D 20 days ago. Looks to face a difficult ask.

Form: 360168

(6)

Thunder Star²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 81| D

10/1

Has been thriving of late, making it 3 wins from her last 4 starts when landing 10-runner handicap at Yarmouth (5.2f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Arrives in fine form but will need to find more again as she goes back up in grade.

Form: 051191

(5)

Count D'Orsay^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77| BF| D

16/1

Won back-to-back races at Hamilton and Chester earlier this summer and ran well when finding only one too strong on his last 2 outings, though no match for the winner at Chester (5.1f, heavy) 13 days ago. Remains 2 lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 553522

Non-Runners

(1)

Alligator Alley³⁴

Weight: 9-10| Age: 6

T: D O'Meara J: D Nolan

(12)

Bergerac²⁰

Weight: 8-13| Age: 5

T: K A Ryan J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Wen Moon (10/3), Looking For Lynda (5/1), Never Dark (6/1), Dakota Gold (13/2), Alligator Alley (8/1), Dickieburd (17/2), Thunder Star (10/1), Strong Johnson (11/1), Copper Knight (14/1), Nomadic Empire (16/1), Shalaa Asker (16/1), Count D'Orsay (16/1), Bergerac (25/1), Bond Chairman (33/1)

Back down in trip, NEVER DARK produced a career best when making all at Haydock 13 days ago and he can continue his good form and land a fourth win of the year. The 6-y-o is taken to see off the challenge of Alligator Alley, who ran well when second here in August, while Wen Moon can also be thereabouts once more.