14:00 York

Saturday 13 July 2024

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:5017:25

John Smith's Racing Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 38.83s

(13)

Northern Express²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 102| C| D

13/2

Credit to connections and usually goes well here, going down narrowly in C&D handicap in May. Good fifth in the Buckingham Palace and can't be dismissed.

Form: 02-5725

(3)

Rhoscolyn^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Ben Robinson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 101| D

18/1

Fine record over 7f/1m in the mud, proving at least as good as ever when landing 7f Epsom handicap (for the second time) in May. Not in the same form on firm ground in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot, but no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 540610

(9)

La Trinidad²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: D Nolan| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 96| CD

16/1

Has had issues at the stalls but no problem when landing 1m Redcar handicap 3 weeks ago, deserving some extra credit having not enjoyed the smoothest of passages. A regular here, winning this in 2021, and not dismissed after 4 lb rise.

Form: 327-051

(1)

Rhythm Master³⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Rowan Scott| T: G A Harker| OR: 96

50/1

Smart on his day, his very best efforts coming on AW. Stamina to prove starting out for new yard after 10 months off and probably best watched on first run at York.

Form: 26/2005-

(16)

Ron O²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Garritty| T: R Craggs| OR: 95| C| D

17/2

Been a fine servant for his owner/trainer, following up his Redcar win with another career best in a stronger race here back over 1¼m last month, his speed for shorter proving a key asset how things went. This is even tougher up 6 lb but dangerous to dismiss.

Form: 735811

(2)

Empirestateofmind^v²⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 95| DWS

16/1

Without a win last season but proved consistent in the main, placed 3 times in good 1m handicaps. Gone well here in the past but might need this after 9 months off/wind op.

Form: 095383-

(12)

Blue For You^v²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| CD

4/1

Yard have a tremendous record in this race and having been second in this in 2022 before winning at the Ebor Meeting he landed a gamble in good style 12 months ago. As last year he was well held in last month's Royal Hunt Cup, but has been dropped a very tempting 4 lb. Obvious claims.

Form: 070-400

(6)

Imperial Fighter²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 92

33/1

Third in Irish 2000 Guineas in 2022 but has largely struggled since, including in 2 runs for this yard this season.

Form: 5004-00

(11)

Brunch¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: M Dods| OR: 92| CD

20/1

C&D winner who made a promising return when a strong-finishing fourth in 1m Nottingham handicap, but disappointing behind Elnajmm at Newcastle next time. 2 lb drop will help and has a good record here.

Form: 6309-46

(8)

Telemark^t²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 97

11/4

Useful winning juvenile and, with tongue strap applied, left behind his handicap/return when doubling his tally at Thirsk (7f, good) 4 weeks ago, well on top at the finish. Now takes on his elders for the first time and could have more to offer.

Form: 315-81

(15)

Austrian Theory¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87| D

25/1

Scored over extended 1m at Epsom last June for Charlie Johnston and having come on for his return chased home Elnajmm (beaten 3¾ lengths in third) at Newcastle. 4 lb below last winning mark so well treated if able to use that as a springboard for a full revival.

Form: 0045-03

(5)

Cuban Tiger²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 95| D

14/1

Won a 1m AW listed race at Newcastle on Good Friday but well held in hot handicaps on turf the last twice, seemingly going off too hard in the Britannia. More needed.

Form: 121750

(10)

Yermanthere¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86

40/1

Useful handicapper in Ireland but well held in 2 runs for new yard last month and needs more.

Form: 8138-00

(4)

Sailthisshipalone²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88

25/1

Game winner at Thirsk last summer and ended 2-y-o campaign on the up, second in a 7f novice here that worked out well. Probably needed Chester return in May and this should reveal more.

Form: 43162-6

Non-Runners

(14)

Elnajmm¹⁶

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: R Kingscote

(7)

Stone Soldier²⁸

Weight: 9-1| Age: 7

T: R A Fahey J: O J Orr

Forecasts

Telemark (11/4), Blue For You (4/1), Elnajmm (4/1), Northern Express (13/2), Ron O (17/2), Cuban Tiger (14/1), La Trinidad (16/1), Empirestateofmind (16/1), Stone Soldier (16/1), Rhoscolyn (18/1), Brunch (20/1), Sailthisshipalone (25/1), Austrian Theory (25/1), Imperial Fighter (33/1), Yermanthere (40/1), Rhythm Master (50/1)

ELNAJMM boasts some strong 3-y-o form and won as his rider liked on his handicap debut/return at Newcastle a fortnight ago. There is more to come and he can follow up. Last year's winner Blue For You has a great record here, is likely to be primed for this, and is 4 lb lower after a similar campaign. 3-y-o Telemark and La Trinidad are a couple of others to consider.