14:25 York

Wednesday 17 May 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Churchill Tyres Handicap

Off time: 14:28 | Winning time: 1m 9.88s

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Selected odds by:

(12)

Summerghand^p¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105| CD

14/1

Smart gelding who was a three-time winner last year, including over C&D and in Ayr Gold Cup. Not seen to best effect when tenth at Newmarket 11 days ago and can't be ruled out in refitted cheekpieces.

Form: 21-4670

(22)

Dakota Gold³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 104| CD

12/1

4-time C&D winner, including in this event 12 months ago. Teed himself up well for a repeat when third of 8 in handicap at Pontefract (5f, heavy) 36 days ago, nearest finish. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 20941-3

(21)

First Folio⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 100| CD

6/1

C&D winner who returned from 4 months off with a respectable fourth of 8 in handicap at Kempton (7f) 49 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 01355-4

(17)

Makanah³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 100| D

28/1

Ended 2022 with 5f Musselburgh success but he came in only eighth there on his seasonal return. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 47561-8

(18)

Spirit Of Light^p,t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: Ian Williams| OR: 100

20/1

It's now 18 starts since his last win in 2021 but he arrives in good nick, run best ignored (badly hampered) at Newmarket (6f) 11 days ago. Not discounted eased 1 lb.

Form: 605230

(6)

Aleezdancer²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Rowan Scott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 99| BF| D

25/1

Consistent sort who returned with 6f success at Doncaster in April. Rare below-par effort at Newmarket four weeks ago and he can't be dismissed.

Form: 1303-16

(19)

Khanjar²²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 98| D

10/1

Dual 6f scorer who looked firmly on the up until disappointing when favourite for Ayr Gold Cup in September. Still low mileage and it would come as no surprise were he to resume his progression now.

Form: 1/13108-

(20)

Mr Wagyu^v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 98| CD

40/1

Admirable sprinter who enjoyed another fine campaign last season, landing big pots at Epsom and the Curragh. Yet to fire in two runs this term but this C&D winner still can't be ruled out.

Form: 3505-08

(5)

Silver Samurai¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: M Botti| OR: 97| D

9/1

Dual 6f winner last term who resumed from 6 months off with a good Kempton fourth. Only ninth at Newmarket (6f) 11 days ago but the type to bounce back.

Form: 7363-49

(4)

Magical Spirit^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 97| D

33/1

Ended a losing run stretching back to autumn 2021 in 6f handicap at Doncaster 18 days ago. Up 3 lb but he's not taken lightly now he's got his head back in front.

Form: 704-041

(8)

Badri²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 97| D

14/1

In fine form this season and was bagging his third 5f success when wide-margin scorer at Beverley 28 days ago, storming clear last 1f. HIked up 9 lb here but he can still make his presence felt.

Form: 4-11481

(2)

Lethal Levi¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 96| D

12/1

Enjoyed a fine 2022 when scoring 4 times over 6f. Looked rusty after 9 months off though when 16th in 6f Newmarket handicap on his recent return. Can take a big step forward now.

Form: 21196-0

(3)

Lucky Man^p¹⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Spencer| OR: 95| CD

11/1

C&D winner who posted some excellent efforts in handicaps last autumn after the cheekpieces went on. Has his first start for 6 months here but he's still in the mix.

Form: 621458-

(13)

Fools Rush In³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 95| D

40/1

Likeable 7f winner for Hugo Palmer who made an encouraging start for his new yard when fading seventh of 11 in 7f Musselburgh handicap 39 days ago. Can build on it now.

Form: 19554-7

(14)

Bielsa³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: K A Ryan| OR: 95| D

12/1

2021 Ayr Gold Cup scorer who resumed after a winless last term with an encouraging second of 12 in 6f Redcar handicap last month. Needs considering off a still workable mark.

Form: 73500-2

(9)

Gulliver^p,t²¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| CD

28/1

3-time C&D winner but he ended 2022 below par. Off 7 months but he has a good record when fresh so can't be taken lightly off a reduced mark.

Form: 076000-

(10)

Just Frank^t³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| D

40/1

Useful for Les Eyre but not at his best in a handful of runs last term. Tongue strap on for his yard debut when only ninth in 6f Redcar handicap last month so needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 92096-9

(15)

Gisburn²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

18/1

Shaped well on several occasions without winning, including when fourth at Doncaster in April, but he came in last of 15 at Newbury (6f) 26 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 7360-40

(11)

Gis A Sub¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: S A Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 88| D

9/1

Failed to kick on last year having been a fine C&D runner-up in the Gimcrack at 2 yrs but he returned with a promising eighth of 21 in 6f Newmarket handicap 11 days ago, leading long way. Most interesting off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 09007-8

(7)

Soldier's Minute^h⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-5| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 87| CD

28/1

Took this event in 2019 but he comes here on the back of a trio of below-par efforts in Bahrain. Bounce back not ruled out though with his yard going well.

Form: 44102-9

(1)

Ghathanfar^v¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 85| C| D

18/1

Course winner but he's yet to fire in two runs this spring, last of 8 to Magical Spirit in handicap at Doncaster (6f) 18 days ago. Visor goes back on now though so he can't be totally dismissed.

Form: 7438-88

Non-Runners

(16)

Hyperfocus¹⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 9

T: T D Easterby J: D Allan

Forecasts

First Folio (6/1), Silver Samurai (9/1), Gis A Sub (9/1), Khanjar (10/1), Lucky Man (11/1), Bielsa (12/1), Lethal Levi (12/1), Dakota Gold (12/1), Badri (14/1), Summerghand (14/1), Ghathanfar (18/1), Gisburn (18/1), Spirit Of Light (20/1), Hyperfocus (20/1), Aleezdancer (25/1), Makanah (28/1), Soldier's Minute (28/1), Gulliver (28/1), Magical Spirit (33/1), Mr Wagyu (40/1), Fools Rush In (40/1), Just Frank (40/1)

An ultra competitive sprint but it is well worth siding with Kevin Ryan's former Gimcrack runner-up GIS A SUB to build on his promising Newmarket return and take full advantage of a handy-looking mark. C&D winner Lucky Man appeals as the sort to go on again this season and is feared most, although a case can be made for several others, including Ripon-scorer Hyperfocus, last year's winner Dakota Gold and the returning Khanjar.