14:35 York

Saturday 13 July 2024

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

John Smith's City Walls Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 59.35s

(2)

Clarendon House²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 111| CD

9/2

Blotted his copybook in the Epsom Dash (virtually refused to race) but everything to like about his victories either side of that in hot C&D handicap and Cork listed contest. Sets the standard but easy to have some doubts at the odds.

Form: 434101

(7)

Democracy Dilemma³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Mitchell| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 104| D

12/1

Free-going front runner who resumed winning ways at Chester in May and more than backed that up with a brace of cracking runner-up efforts in handicap company (in Epsom Dash latterly). Probably did too much at Haydock last time and not dismissed on first run at a track that should suit his style.

Form: 391226

(6)

Korker¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 103| CD

16/1

Dual winner towards the end of last season but his issues at the stalls have stopped him fulfilling his full potential. Squeak on his fourth to Clarendon House in C&D handicap at the Dante Meeting for all it's not been great since.

Form: 1-74930

(3)

Rogue Lightning²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: Tom Clover| OR: 110| D

7/2

Had a good 3-y-o season, improving to win 3 times and going close and unlucky in the Abbaye, but following a £1,000,000 sale has a few questions to answer after heavy defeats in the Temple Stakes and King Charles. Down in class here at least. Could bounce back.

Form: 1115-60

(5)

Grandlad²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R Kingscote| T: James Horton| OR: 88| D

16/1

Unable to dominate in the 3-y-o Dash at Epsom but it's all positive of late otherwise, coming clear in good style in Goodwood handicap 3 weeks ago. This is a big step up.

Form: 241181

(8)

Starlust²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 113| CD

13/8

Three-time winner over 6f at 2 yrs and cracking efforts on both starts over 5f, not beaten far by Big Evs in America and producing a really smart handicap performance against older rivals in C&D contest in May. Not so good in the Commonwealth Cup fitted with blinkers but plenty to like back here.

Form: 3-23618

(4)

Yefimenko⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Siobhan Rutledge| T: G M Lyons| D

7/1

Promising filly who landed the odds with the minimum of fuss in a very fast time in 5f Bellewstown maiden last week, making all in fine style. Ominous that she is very quickly upped in class on just her third start. Interesting.

Form: 21

Non-Runners

(9)

Emaraaty Ana²⁵

Weight: 9-1| Age: 8

T: J A Osborne J: Saffie Osborne

(1)

We Never Stop²¹

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: K A Ryan J: S A Gray

Forecasts

Starlust (13/8), Rogue Lightning (7/2), Clarendon House (9/2), Yefimenko (7/1), Emaraaty Ana (8/1), Democracy Dilemma (12/1), Korker (16/1), Grandlad (16/1), We Never Stop (25/1)

STARLUST's two best performances have come over 5f and he battered his older rivals in a handicap here in May. His subsequent Commonwealth Cup effort can be overlooked and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back with a huge run. Clarendon House, who resumed winning ways at Cork last time, is a big player if on his best behaviour. Unexposed Irish filly Yefimenko and Emaraaty Ana, a former Gimcrack winner, are dangerous.