14:00 York

Saturday 12 July 2025

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:4517:25

John Smith's Racing Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 37.11s

(9)

Flight Plan³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 105| D

18/1

Smart 3-y-o (won Group 2) who was largely out of sorts in his 4-y-o season but proved all the better for his reappearance when winning on handicap debut at Thirsk (1m). Subsequently below par at Epsom (8.5f) and has work to do from this mark even if back on his game.

Form: 795-419

(4)

Aafoor^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁵⁾| T: Mohammed Khalifa Al| OR: 102

66/1

Runner-up in 1m Newmarket handicap last summer and enjoyed a productive winter campaign in the Middle East (finished fourth in the Qatar Derby). Has been outclassed in top handicaps since his return to Britain and will need to improve if he's defy this sort of mark.

Form: 4-11570

(8)

Native American¹²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 100| C

12/1

Useful sort for Richard Fahey (winner on debut here) and matched that form for current connections in Dubai/Qatar this spring, producing his best effort to date when fifth in a Qatar Group 2 (10.4f) in March. Drops back in trip on return to Britain and this looks a competitive renewal. Needs more.

Form: 0596-55

(5)

Bopedro^v²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mulrennan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

16/1

On a losing run but again hit the frame in a competitive big-field handicap. better than ever when finishing third in the Royal Hunt Cup last month, having got a good tow into the race. Up 2 lb and not a banker to be in the same form this time.

Form: 0-62263

(1)

La Trinidad²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Joanna Mason| T: Roger Fell| OR: 97| CD

9/1

Winner of this race in 2021 and has looked as good as ever aged 8, finishing third over this C&D in May and shaped as though still in form when twelfth of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup last month having not been ideally placed. Shouldn't be underestimated back in slightly calmer waters.

Form: 000-330

(6)

Old Cock^t⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 94| CD

4/1

Rapidly developed into a useful performer last year, winning 3 of 6 starts. Met trouble when last in the Lincoln on reappearance and wasted no time getting back on the up when winning cosily (by ½ length from Sisypheanover) over C&D in May. Remains one to be interested in.

Form: 1914-01

(7)

Blue For You^t,v²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| CD

9/1

Winner of the previous two renewals of this race and is now 1 lb lower than when winning in 2024. Wasn't disgraced over 7f here in June and connections have likely had one eye on this race. Will be suited by the return to 1m (tongue tie refitted) and is a respected in his bid for the hat-trick.

Form: 09-3075

(2)

Sisyphean²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| CD

3/1

Well-made Dubawi colt was a C&D winner as 3-y-o and shaped well after 7 months off when second behind Old Cock over C&D, going with plenty of enthusiasm from the front. Not seen to best effect in the Royal Hunt Cup last time but makes plenty of appeal returning to this track.

Form: 7140-29

(3)

Remmooz²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Stott| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 98

9/4

Blue Point colt who looked a potentially smart performer when winning a pair of 7f novices at Doncaster (good/good to firm) earlier this season and did his reputation no harm when a staying on fourth in the Jersey at Royal Ascot 3 weeks ago. Open to improvement upped in trip on handicap debut.

Form: 114

Forecasts

Remmooz (9/4), Sisyphean (3/1), Old Cock (4/1), La Trinidad (9/1), Blue For You (9/1), Native American (12/1), Bopedro (16/1), Flight Plan (18/1), Aafoor (66/1)

A competitive renewal that may go the way of previous C&D winner SISYPHEAN who shaped promisingly on reappearance at this track and looks well up to winning a valuable handicap from his current mark. He's preferred to the lightly-race Remmooz who finished a creditable fourth in the Jersey and could be the improver stepping up in trip on handicap debut, while 2021 winner La Trinidad still looks as good as ever at 8 years old and shouldn't be underestimated.