13:50 York

Wednesday 17 August 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 1m 4.78s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(9)

Mountain Peak²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 107| BF| D

33/1

Took his form up a notch when landing big-field 5f handicap at Ascot last month under this rider, holding off the strong challenge of Bond Chairman, with Zarzyni in third. Well held back there next time though and will need another huge effort to defy this mark. Not so good in 2 prevous runs here.

Form: 9-25218

(18)

Zarzyni^p³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 104| D

8/1

Has improved further this year with cheekpieces fitted, winning 5f Musselburgh handicap in April and good efforts in the frame in the Palace House and 5f Ascot handicap (behind Mountain Peak and Bond Chairman) 2 months apart. Respected.

Form: 222143

(14)

Mondammej^h²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 103| D

18/1

Scored 5 times in 2021 and some solid performances this year, not least his second behind Nunthorpe favourite Royal Aclaim in listed contest over C&D last month. Not so good over 6f back here next time, though.

Form: 784620

(21)

Dakota Gold¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 102| CD

15/2

Won this in 2019 during a prolific spell and scored again here in 6f handicap in May, holding off Makanah. Cracking runs the last twice and despite his high draw should make a bold bid for victory number 7 at York (tied with Copper Knight and Stradivarius as winning-most horse at the track).

Form: 9-01022

(1)

Makanah¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 101| D

15/2

Running really well without winning in 2022, adding to his string of good efforts here when edged out by Dakota Gold over 6f in May. Shaped well in unfavoured group in the Stewards' Cup 3 weeks ago and unlikely to be far away from stall 1.

Form: 422347

(10)

Copper Knight^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 101| CD

20/1

Won 2 big-field handicaps here last year, including this race (tied with Dakota Gold and Stradivarius as winning-most horse at York with 6 victories). Has a fine record at Chester also, scoring there in June under this rider. Not so good off revised mark twice since but can't be ruled out back here.

Form: 894100

(5)

Significantly^t1⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 100| D

25/1

Front running proved the making of him as he won back-to-back 5f Ascot handicaps last summer. Not so good in 2 starts this time around (gelded before return, then had a wind op before latest) but his mark has dipped. Tongue tie goes on now.

Form: 6845-77

(22)

King Of Stars^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: M Appleby| OR: 98| D

33/1

In and out this term after progressing through the ranks to win 4 handicaps in 2021. Fair runs from the front at Ascot the last twice but surprising if he's well enough treated to land a race like this from highest draw.

Form: 402025

(4)

Project Dante⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: B Smart| OR: 100| CD

33/1

Successful debut over C&D last spring before a fine effort in the Norfolk. Disappointing since, including back from a wind op here in May. Not seen since and has been gelded ahead of this first go in handicaps. Plenty to prove.

Form: 1300-8

(16)

Good Eye^b¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: Jessica Long| OR: 97

12/1

Useful Swedish sprinter who scored at Baden-Baden in May and ran a blinder from the front when fourth in the Stewards' Cup 3 weeks ago, keeping out of trouble and still pitching at the end. That sort of early speed will stand him in good stead down in trip here and he could go well.

Form: 5/2-4194

(6)

Atalis Bay²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 97| D

10/1

Listed winner over 5f last summer and lurks on a good mark judged on his close third to Mondammej and Copper Knight off 6 lb higher at Haydock in September. Has caught the eye the last twice and could be set for a big run.

Form: 37-9978

(12)

Bond Chairman²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 99| BF| D

33/1

Fair 5f juvenile winner who has improved and held his form well in 5f Ascot handicaps this summer, just touched off by Mountain Peak in a red-hot contest on penultimate start. Has a race like this in him on that display.

Form: 684-424

(7)

Gis A Sub^p1⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99

16/1

Pontefract novice winner who excelled himself when runner-up in the Gimcrack here last summer. Well held in 3 runs this year and has been gelded ahead of this handicap debut after 2 months off. Cheekpieces replace blinkers. Certainly wouldn't be the first from yard to revive at this venue.

Form: 626-390

(11)

Live In The Dream³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A West| OR: 99| BF| D

14/1

Much improved when landing 5f handicaps at Sandown and Chester (under Moore) during the spring and good run from the front in listed race at first-named track 2 months ago. Well held behind Look Out Louis at Chester last time but shouldn't stay down for long.

Form: 411529

(15)

Nomadic Empire^v1²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| C| D

25/1

Ended 2021 on the up, his second victory coming in 6f handicap here, but he's yet to hit top form this term, not impressing with his finishing effort the last twice. Visor now tried.

Form: 305400

(3)

Look Out Louis^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 95| D

14/1

Has had a good year, scoring again in 5f Chester handicap under this claimer last month, overcoming a wide draw and keeping on well. 6 lb higher in tougher race now and yet to fire at York.

Form: 132101

(8)

Sunday Sovereign^t¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: T D Easterby| OR: 94| D

20/1

Chinned in bare 5f handicap here in May (runner-up in same race in 2021) off this mark and while that's a standout performance this year it would be dangerous to discount him given he's another from his local yard who clearly shines at this venue.

Form: 6-85205

(2)

Bergerac^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| C

22/1

Landed 6f handicap here in September and has largely held his form this year, resuming winning ways in first-time blinkers when seeing off just 2 rivals at Newmarket a fortnight ago. This is clearly tougher but connections have won this twice with 4-y-os (Blaine and Bogart) in the last decade.

Form: 080321

(17)

Ghathanfar^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: D Swift| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 92| CD

16/1

In top form, winning for a third time this year in bare 5f handicap here last month. Not beaten far in third in stronger 6f contest back at this venue last time but suspect he'll do well to take this after being nudged up another 2 lb.

Form: 221143

(13)

Ancient Times⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Hayley Turner| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 91| D

12/1

Has improved further this term, landing back-to-back 5f handicaps at Doncaster/Musselburgh (from Makanah) before a fine effort behind one reviving at Newmarket 6 weeks ago. Likeable sprinter and he could be involved up 2 lb.

Form: 125-112

(20)

Count D'Orsay¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 91| D

28/1

A few good efforts this term (including when edged out by Look Out Louis at Chester in May) but he's on a losing run of 26 and plenty of others surely more solid.

Form: 036547

(19)

Dusky Lord^b1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 90| D

11/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who resumed progress when making a winning reappearance at Newmarket (5f) in May and ran well at Goodwood in first-time cheekpieces 3 weeks ago. Sterner headgear tried here and couldn't be discounted.

Form: 47-1042

Forecasts

Makanah (15/2), Dakota Gold (15/2), Zarzyni (8/1), Atalis Bay (10/1), Dusky Lord (11/1), Good Eye (12/1), Ancient Times (12/1), Live In The Dream (14/1), Look Out Louis (14/1), Ghathanfar (16/1), Gis A Sub (16/1), Mondammej (18/1), Sunday Sovereign (20/1), Copper Knight (20/1), Bergerac (22/1), Nomadic Empire (25/1), Significantly (25/1), Count D'Orsay (28/1), King Of Stars (33/1), Bond Chairman (33/1), Project Dante (33/1), Mountain Peak (33/1)

2019-winner DAKOTA GOLD is back in top form and can notch up a record-breaking seventh success on the Knavesmire. He held off Makanah, who has good claims, for his latest victory here in May, and arrives on the back of a couple of cracking performances. Makanah, drawn on the other side of the track, can make a bold bid after shaping well in the Stewards' Cup. Atalis Bay and last year's victor Copper Knight, also bidding for win number 7 at York, are just a couple of the other main contenders.