14:25 York
Saturday 15 June 2019
All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:15
JCB Handicap
- 3YO plus | Class 2 | 7f | Good to Soft | 20 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 25.14s
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Took this race last year off top weight, and won a Listed race at Wolverhampton in March. Below form since, but had little go right at Thirsk last time, and folly to ignore back down in class.
Hard to win with, but capable of smart form on his day, and best effort this term when a keeping-on third to in-form Kaeso at Chester last time. Place claims if things fall his way.
Won by 4½L at Musselburgh in April, and hit hard by the handicapper. Respectable 2¼L fourth of 10 to Admirality at Thirsk last time, but looks in the handicapper's grip on that evidence.
Useful form at best in handicaps around this trip last season, and well placed to land a Listed fillies' contest at Fontainebleau in November. Handicapper has taken a dim view of that, and she looks too high in the weights on balance.
Been kept very busy of late, and built on earlier efforts when making all to win over 7½f at Beverley last time. Vulnerable off revised mark in this stronger event.
Didn't quite deliver on what he had threatened to do as a juvenile, although two recent disappointments have come on faster ground than ideal. Recent rain a positive, although has stamina to prove at this trip.
Handles all ground, and quickly back to form when 2¼L second of 15 to Cold Stare at Haydock (6f, heavy) last time. Equally effective at 7f, and one to consider given his positive profile.
Kept to good or faster ground since debut, and ran right up to his best when running-on third of 21 to Soldier's Minute over 6f here last month. Unexposed, and return to 7f will suit, but forecast ground is an unknown.
Showed little last year until high summer, and following the same pattern in 2019. Will come good at some point, but left alone here after failing to beat a rival at Newmarket a week ago.
Well heldin the Lincoln on return, but stepped up markedly when third of 14 to Safe Voyage at Haydock (7f, soft) in April. Better than the bare result there, and that form has worked out very well, so he needs consideration from an unchanged mark.
Formerly with Johnny Murtagh, and got his nose in front at Thirsk (7f, good) on debut for current yard. Followed that with a below-par effort in the mud at Haydock, and although he handles cut, recent efforts on testing ground have been moderate.
Ran well when placed over 1m here on penultimate start, and still capable of very useful form on his day. Less consistent that he was, however, and needs to bounce back from a poor run at Epsom last time.
Caught a tartar at Ripon in April, and fine third in Victoria Cup at Ascot following month. Gained his reward over 7½f at Chester last time, proving better than ever, and expected to run another big race given his consistency.
Typical of yard's older handicappers in that he tends to take time to find his feet, and he comes here after three unplaced efforts this year. Not beaten far over 6f at Ripon last time, but arguably better at that trip granted an end-to-end gallop.
Goes really well here, and runner-up off 3lb higher in this race last year. Been running over 6f this season, and while he was well below form last time, no surprise to see a revival back at this trip.
Over two years since he last won, but has plenty of placed efforts to his name, including when a fine ¾L second of 10 to Admirality over 7f at Thirsk last time. Cheekpieces tried now, and claims if they have a positive effect.
Won at Epsom (6f) and Newmarket (7f) in 2018 at Back to form when fourth at Chester on his return, but he's not really built on that twice since, and looks opposable despite his eye-catching jockey booking.
Very consistent sort and deservedly got his head back in front in the Thirsk Hunt Cup before a good third of 14 to What's The Story over 1m here. Ought to continue in form, with softer ground not an issue.
Has done all his winning at up to 6f, including when grinding it out at Ripon last time. Does stay this far, and handles the mud, but combination of trip and ground may stretch his stamina.
Best turf form has come on good going, and while he wasn't beaten far behind Hyperfocus at Ripon (6f) last time, that was a messy affair, and he doesn't appeal much in these conditions.
Forecasts
Kaeso (13/2), Aljady (7/1), Great Prospector (8/1), Get Knotted (9/1), Lord Oberon (9/1), Aces (11/1), Love Dreams (12/1), Firmament (14/1), Hyperfocus (14/1), Hayadh (16/1), Above The Rest (16/1), Danielsflyer (20/1), Three Saints Bay (20/1), Admirality (25/1), Golden Apollo (25/1), Staxton (25/1), Desert Doctor (25/1), Flying Pursuit (33/1), Gabrial (33/1), Blizzard (33/1)
Kaeso comes here at the top of his form and will be competitive despite another rise for his Chester win, while Lord Oberon will appreciate the return to 7f and is still open to progress, but GREAT PROSPECTOR caught the eye when third to Safe Voyage at Haydock in April, and he has seen that form franked in no uncertain terms since.
- Great Prospector
- Kaeso
- Lord Oberon
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £24,900.002nd: £7,456.003rd: £3,728.004th: £1,864.005th: £932.006th: £468.00
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