15:55 York

Saturday 25 May 2024

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

William Hill Epic Boost Handicap

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 1m 26.19s

(2)

Juantorena²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: K Stott| T: A M Balding| OR: 80| D

9/1

Improved performer in handicaps this season, posting a good third at Kempton on return before getting off the mark at Brighton (7f, good, 2/1) 24 days ago. Respected from 4 lb higher mark.

Form: 3843-31

(3)

Angel Of England^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Cieren Fallon| T: E Bethell| OR: 79

14/1

Opened his account at third time of asking in Nottingham novice (6.1f) in August and wasn't disgraced in more competitive event here next time. Gelded over the winter and shaped as if needing the run when eighth of 12 in handicap at Ascot (6f, good, 11/2) 15 days ago. Needs to be sharper here.

Form: 8210-8

(14)

Sea The Dream³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: E Bethell| OR: 78| D

8/1

Tall sort showed much improved form to get off the mark when making a winning comeback at Thirsk last month. Seemingly few excuses when beaten at Beverley since, though, so bounce back required.

Form: 2333-15

(9)

Mr Irrelevant²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Brandon Wilkie⁽⁵⁾| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 77

17/2

Arrives seeking hat-trick after quick-fire wins at Ripon and Doncaster just over 3 weeks ago. The form of the latter contest reads well and he's respected from 5 lb higher mark.

Form: 25-5211

(12)

Quiet Resolve¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| D

11/2

Continued theme of race-by-race progress when opening his account in a Newcastle maiden (7f) in February. Ran creditably switched to turf when fifth of 15 in handicap at this C&D (good) 10 days ago but others perhaps have greater scope for progress.

Form: 3-3135

(8)

Smart Vision⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 77| D

28/1

Seemingly had plenty in hand when making all on handicap bow at Newcastle (7.1f) in February but folded tamely and failed to beat a rival at Southwell next time. On turf on first time since debut and others make greater appeal.

Form: 543-19

(7)

Midnite Runner¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 76| D

9/1

Overcame greenness to score on second start at Thirsk in September. Creditable effort when fifth of 10 in handicap (17/2) at Beverley (7.4f, good) on return but looks no more than averagely treated from same mark.

Form: 710-5

(13)

Burdett²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K Shoemark| T: J Channon| OR: 76| D

14/1

Progressive in 3 starts last year, successful at Ffos Las on his second outing. Stepped up on reappearance run when third of 13 in handicap at Doncaster (8f, soft, 18/1) 29 days ago and should prove suited by conditions here, for all he'll likely need a bit more to overcome high draw.

Form: 512-63

(4)

Diddy Man²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: H Bethell| OR: 75| D

11/2

Winless in 8 outings for Tom Dascombe last season but has proved a different proposition since joining Harriet Bethell, making a successful return at Newcastle last month before improving further to follow up at Doncaster (7f, soft) 28 days ago. Strong claims of completing the hat-trick.

Form: 3824-11

(11)

Old Chums^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 73

12/1

Progressive in handicaps, winning at Southwell and Wolverhampton in the winter. Did well to last so long after setting a strong pace when third of 14 in handicap (7/1) at Chester (6.1f, good) 17 days ago and he's respected.

Form: 131223

(20)

Count Palatine²²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Dods| OR: 73

66/1

Close second in a nursery at Newbury (6f) in August but disappointing in 3 subsequent outings and has since left Brian Meehan (20,000 gns). Not easy to make a case for on return.

Form: 392606-

(10)

Misemerald¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: P A Kirby| OR: 73| D

28/1

Landed maiden/novice events at Beverley/Ayr last summer but no better than mid-field in nurseries and handicaps since, seventh of 15 (100/1) at this C&D (good) 10 days ago. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 11200-7

(15)

Indivar²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73

20/1

Much improved when off the mark at Redcar (6f) in September but went the wrong way from an encouraging return when down the field at Newmarket (7f, good) 21 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 5551-30

(5)

Alreet Cha¹¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: William Pyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 72

25/1

Yet to shed her maiden tag but has made the frame on each of her last 5 outings, shaping best in a slowly-run handicap at Newcastle in January before chasing home an unexposed winner back in novice company the following month. Off since but looks on a fair mark racing on turf for second time.

Form: 834-222

(17)

Project Geofin²⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Russell| T: G R Oldroyd| OR: 71

33/1

Didn't look the most straightforward as a juvenile but did well to come from a long way back when landing a 9-runner minor event at Newcastle (6f) in August. Off since, though, and he'll likely require a step forward to figure on handicap debut.

Form: 2471-

(6)

East Bank²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Shane Gray| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 70| D

14/1

Back to form stepped up to 7f when winning at Newcastle in March and did very well under the circumstances when runner-up at Musselburgh earlier in the month, rallying after his rider seemingly encountered a tack issue. Considered.

Form: 5-67162

(16)

Up The Jazz³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Murtagh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 69| D

28/1

Kept busy during second half of last season, winning 8-runner Carlisle nursery (6.9f) in August and before a good second over C&D (7f) in September. Pleasing return when third of 6 in handicap at Ripon (8f, heavy, 8/1) 37 days ago but perhaps vulnerable to less-exposed rivals.

Form: 41927-3

(19)

Bulmer Bank^h¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65

20/1

Some promise when mid-field in maiden/novice events last season and wasn't disgraced when a never-nearer fourth of 9 in handicap (8/1) at Newcastle (6f) 13 days ago. Others rate as likelier winners, though.

Form: 56047-4

(1)

Triple Force¹⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: P Mathers| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 65

100/1

Modest form across 3 starts in maiden/novice company in the autumn. Up against it making handicap debut in a competitive contest.

Form: 965-

Non-Runners

(18)

Rating³⁹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: B J Meehan J: Jim Crowley

Forecasts

Quiet Resolve (11/2), Diddy Man (11/2), Sea The Dream (8/1), Mr Irrelevant (17/2), Midnite Runner (9/1), Juantorena (9/1), Rating (10/1), Old Chums (12/1), Burdett (14/1), Angel Of England (14/1), East Bank (14/1), Bulmer Bank (20/1), Indivar (20/1), Alreet Cha (25/1), Misemerald (28/1), Up The Jazz (28/1), Smart Vision (28/1), Project Geofin (33/1), Count Palatine (66/1), Triple Force (100/1)

DIDDY MAN has taken his form to a new level since joining Harriet Bethell and he's fancied to complete the hat-trick at the chief expense of Old Chums, who shaped really well under a forcing ride at Chester last time. Top-weight Juantorena and recent Musselburgh runner-up East Bank are others for the shortlist.