16:35 York

Wednesday 16 May 2018

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:0517:35

Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap

Off time: 16:37 | Winning time: 1m 25.01s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Desert Doctor²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 95

10/1

Seemingly on a fair mark and could improve for faster ground here. Good third at Newmarket when returned to turf last time and has each-way claims again if he stays the extra furlong here.

Form: 115163

(15)

Commander Han³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 92| BF| D

7/2

Green on debut here but has improved since, winning a novice event at Chelmsford in good fashion back in February. Couldn't justify odds-on favouritism back at that course last time but winner has won since and should run well for a yard in form.

Form: 94-12

(16)

Zap²⁰⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| C

16/1

A winner on debut here last year over 6f. Wasn't the most straightforward subsequently but improved when stepped up to this trip at Doncaster when last seen and not ruled out if ready on his return.

Form: 465562-

(5)

John Kirkup²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 89

40/1

All three wins last year came over the minimum trip but placed twice in Class 2 handicaps here over 6f and while he was last of 12 at Thirsk on return, he ought to improve here. Interesting runner if he stays the new trip.

Form: 21420-0

(2)

Three Saints Bay²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| D

7/1

Lost maiden tag on fourth start when winning at Redcar and produced an impressive run when a good fourth in a Class 2 conditions race at Newcastle in October. Duly scored dropped down in class at Pontefract on return and may come on for that effort.

Form: 24214-1

(11)

Queen's Sargent⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S A Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 88| D

9/1

Ran some fine races in defeat last year, none more so than when runner-up of 17 here over 6f in August. Lost his maiden tag with little fuss at Musselburgh last time and not ruled out returned to handicaps.

Form: 32428-1

(7)

Clubbable¹⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81

11/1

Didn't finish out the first three on her first six runs but had to wait until her eighth start before she could get her first win. Yet to race on ground this fast but has the potential to improve for it on return and step back up in trip no issue.

Form: 322261-

(14)

Montague¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S H James| T: D O'Meara| OR: 81| D

12/1

Yet to score in five turf starts but only foiled in the dying stride over this trip at Musselburgh recently. Wide draw from the chute not ideal for a horse that likes to be prominent here though and a 2lb rise for his latest run a negative.

Form: 122222

(10)

Valdolobo¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 81

9/1

Ran well having shaped like he needed the run on return at Thirsk last month but handicap mark looks stiff enough given what he's achieved in his three starts to date.

Form: 34-3

(4)

Excellent Times⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79

12/1

One win from her 11 starts but has run plenty of creditable races in defeat and had little chance when slow to break at Chester last time out. Place claims again off the same mark.

Form: 2312-37

(9)

Cavatina²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Harry Bentley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 79| D

12/1

A winner on third start at Kempton and gave the impression she would come on for the run at Chelmsford last time. Handicap mark could underestimate her and not as exposed as many of her rivals.

Form: 431-4

(3)

Poet's Dawn²¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 78| D

40/1

Won once from 12 starts last year and rising steadily up the handicap without winning since that success in June. Return to faster ground a positive on his reappearance here but needs to have improved in the interim to win off this mark.

Form: 525224-

(12)

Citron Major¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: A Mullen| T: N Tinkler| OR: 78

18/1

Improved on handicap debut when winning by 2¾L at Newcastle at the start of the month, benefiting from coming off a strong pace. Much more needed off an 8lb higher mark on turf debut.

Form: 3341

(8)

Lord Vetinari²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: M Dwyer| T: A M Balding| OR: 77

20/1

Has improved since last year with two respectable efforts on AW in April. Handicapper has given him a chance off this mark but he needs to prove he's as effective on turf as the AW.

Form: 65-24

(13)

International Man²⁰¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76| C

16/1

Won a maiden here over 6f on debut but didn't really go on from that on next two starts at Beverley. Form completely tailed off towards the back end of the year and down the order on jockey bookings on return.

Form: 142008-

Non-Runners

(1)

Flavius Titus⁴²

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: R Varian J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Commander Han (7/2), Three Saints Bay (7/1), Queen's Sargent (9/1), Valdolobo (9/1), Desert Doctor (10/1), Flavius Titus (10/1), Clubbable (11/1), Excellent Times (12/1), Cavatina (12/1), Montague (12/1), Zap (16/1), International Man (16/1), Citron Major (18/1), Lord Vetinari (20/1), John Kirkup (40/1), Poet's Dawn (40/1)

Trainer Michael Dods has enjoyed plenty of success on the Knavesmire and given that JOHN KIRKUP performed well on both his starts here last season, he's taken to improve on his first try over a new trip. Clubbable is narrowly preferred to Zap from the Richard Fahey runners and is another stepping up in trip but Desert Doctor looks feasibly handicapped and could be the main danger to the selection despite carrying top weight.