16:45 York

Saturday 12 July 2025

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

John Smith's Stayers' Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 3m 32.85s

(2)

Gibside¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| CD

4/1

Successful twice last season, latterly over C&D on final start in October and back on the up this spring, resuming winning ways in Chester Plate (18.6f). Good third at Haydock next time and probably best not judged too harshly on finishing down the field in Northumberland Vase latest. Considered.

Form: 1-28130

(10)

Rock N Roll Pinkie¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: I Furtado| OR: 76

7/1

Dual scorer at 14f last season who surpassed form of first 2 starts this term when running out an emphatic winner of 5-runner handicap at Nottingham (14f, good) 16 days ago. Found things tougher attempting to follow up in this corresponding race 12 months ago and she's now on a career-high mark.

Form: 821-351

(6)

Churchella^v¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: P A Kirby| OR: 73| CD

22/1

Had a very productive 2024 for David O'Meara, successful 4 times including over C&D. Not yet fired in trio of turf starts for present stable but she now finds herself operating 1 lb below her last winning mark.

Form: 713-850

(1)

Curran¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 73

11/2

Opened his account for the season at Doncaster (14.5f) and followed up under good-value claimer at Newmarket (14f) later in June. Ran creditably on first crack at this trip when third of 8 in handicap at Chester (15.9f) 14 days ago and no reason why he won't go well again.

Form: 939113

(7)

Weddell Sea^t,p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 73| D

22/1

Back-to-back winner of 2m handicaps at Newcastle earlier this year and not disgraced in recent starts, left poorly placed when finishing midfield in Northumberland Vase back at that venue 2 weeks ago. Little more required from this mark, however.

Form: 5-11520

(8)

The Crafty Mole^v⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73

10/1

Progressed well from a low base on turf last year, winning 5 times at up to 14f. Stepped up on reappearance run with visor refitted when runner-up at Haydock (16.2f) in May and given a break following a lesser display at Nottingham 6 weeks ago. Type to bounce back.

Form: 137-928

(3)

Letsbefrank¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 72

10/3

Progressive stayer last year, victory on final start at Pontefract (17.1f) netting him the Sky Bet Sunday Series bonus. Slow starts have become a cause for concern this term, giving himself little chance when tenth in Northumberland Vase (16.2f) latest. Well treated but he comes with risks attached.

Form: 074070

(5)

Russian Rumour^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 71| D

12/1

8-y-o mare who bounced back to form granted the run of the race when winning 3-runner handicap at Lingfield (16.3f, good to firm) 24 days ago, keeping on well when tackled. Nudged up only 2 lb but this does demand more

Form: 15-5251

(4)

Terrorise²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 71

7/1

10f winner on Flat who doubled his career tally in 10-runner novice hurdle at Cartmel (17.2f) in May and promising effort returned to this sphere, not least with a view too stepping back up in trip when fifth of 14 in handicap at Hamilton (11.1f) 27 days ago, running on late. Interesting.

Form: 54049-5

(11)

Marbuzet^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Joanna Mason| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70| D

12/1

Resumed winning ways at Ayr in May and done little to alter the fact he remains in top form, finding only one too good at Catterick/Chester since. No surprise to see him in the shake-up again for all his mark has crept up a little more.

Form: 47-2122

Non-Runners

(9)

Simiyann¹⁴

Weight: 8-13| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: C Lee

Forecasts

Letsbefrank (10/3), Gibside (4/1), Curran (11/2), Terrorise (7/1), Rock N Roll Pinkie (7/1), The Crafty Mole (10/1), Marbuzet (12/1), Russian Rumour (12/1), Simiyann (20/1), Weddell Sea (22/1), Churchella (22/1)

Claims can be made for several in this open handicap with the narrow vote in favour of TERRORISE. Brian Ellison's charge left the distinct impression he's ready for a step back up to this sort of trip when a running on fifth at Hamilton (11f) 4 weeks ago and he can confirm this sort of mark an exploitable one. Tim Easterby pair Gibside and Marbuzet head up the dangers, with Letsbefrank lurking on a very dangerous mark if cutting out the slow starts.