14:40 York

Friday 11 October 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1015:4516:2016:55

William Hill Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 9.78s

(5)

Master Builder³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D Menuisier| OR: 95| D

11/4

Mastercraftsman colt who confirmed promise of his fine third in the Melrose here when running out an emphatic winner of 10-runner handicap at Haydock (14f) 5 weeks ago. 7 lb rise unlikely to prevent him making another bold bid.

Form: 21531

(1)

The Reverend^p³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95

11/8

Progressive son of Lope de Vega who proved his opening mark lenient as he ran out an impressive winner on handicap debut at Ascot (12f) 5 weeks ago, first-time cheekpieces seeming to really switch him on. High on shortlist with prospect of more to come upped further in trip.

Form: 1-221

(3)

Who's Glen²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| D

17/2

Made the frame on first 5 starts on all weather and relished the increase in trip/heavy ground when running out an emphatic winner of 6-runner Chester handicap (14.4f) 4 weeks ago. This understandably tougher up 12 lb but he's very much unexposed over staying trips.

Form: 233421

(7)

Forest Gate¹²^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 82

16/1

Waldgeist gelding who made frame first 3 starts and he found some progress when winning 7-runner novice at Epsom (10.1f, soft) 12 days ago, controlling things from the front and clear final 1f. Up markedly in trip under a penalty for handicap debut and likely there's more to come.

Form: 3221

(6)

Minstrel Knight¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Aidan Keeley| T: E Bethell| OR: 82| D

7/1

Deservedly opened his account at Carlisle in June and improved further of late, relishing the increased emphasis on stamina as he ran out a comfortable winner of 7-runner handicap at Haydock (14f, heavy) 14 days ago, by 5 lengths from Filibustering. Another warranting respect.

Form: 321231

(2)

Caprelo²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H Morrison| OR: 77| BF

12/1

Took a step forward when making a winning handicap debut at Kempton in April. Improved in defeat since, albeit not ideally suited by test of speed when fourth of 7 in handicap at Lingfield (12f) 27 days ago. This a much sterner assignment but increase in trip could unlock further progress.

Form: 95-1224

(4)

Filibustering¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: A Mullen| T: T D Easterby| OR: 73| D

16/1

Opened account over this trip at Redcar in May and hasn't done much wrong since, most recently finishing creditable 5 lengths second of 7 to Minstrel Knight in handicap at Haydock (14f, heavy) 14 days ago. Likely to give his best shot again but he's eligible for lesser contests than this.

Form: 374652

Forecasts

The Reverend (11/8), Master Builder (11/4), Minstrel Knight (7/1), Who's Glen (17/2), Caprelo (12/1), Filibustering (16/1), Forest Gate (16/1)

Hard not to be positive about most here with THE REVEREND narrowly fancied to give William Haggas a third consecutive win in the race. He took his form up a notch when making a winning handicap debut at Ascot 5 weeks ago, impressing with how he travelled/put the race to bed and this further increase in trip promises to suit. Haydock-scorer Master Builder is another firmly on the up and he's a serious threat. Who's Glen, who routed 5 rivals at Chester latest completes the shortlist.