16:10 York

Thursday 18 May 2023

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

British EBF 40th Anniversary Westow Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 57.14s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Changeofmind²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Harrison Shaw| T: D Carroll| OR: 93| D

7/2

Broke 2-y-o course record at Chester on sole start as a juvenile and returned from 10-month absence with comfortable success at Catterick (5f, good to soft) 22 days ago. Likely more to come yet.

Form: 1-1

(9)

Great State¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

13/2

Upped his game since sent handicapping, winning at Southwell (5f) in March and posting useful form when taking 10-runner handicap (2/1) at Thirsk (5f, heavy) 12 days ago. This is tougher but he warrants respect.

Form: 31-411

(6)

Hispanic^b²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 98| D

10/1

Much improved, in first-time blinkers, when taking maiden at the Curragh (5f) in October. Not disgraced in listed race at Doncaster over longer trip next time and likely has more to offer this season.

Form: 3414-

(10)

Looking For Lynda¹⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 98| D

40/1

Won 2 of his 10 starts last year, standout effort coming when second of 8 on handicap debut at this course (5.4f, good to soft) in October. Plenty on plate first time up here, though, and lacks potential of some of his rivals.

Form: 614026-

(2)

Michaela's Boy⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Frederick Larson| T: M Appleby| OR: 93| D

33/1

Ended last year with brace of handicap victories on AW and acquitted himself well when fourth of 9 in conditions event at Newcastle (6f, 50/1) last month. Something to find on form with principals here, though.

Form: 9411-84

(8)

Rocket Rodney²⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: George Scott| OR: 102| D

4/1

Useful gelding. Below form, in first-time blinkers, when last seen at Longchamp (5f, good) in September but had performed well in several listed/graded events over this trip previously and is a big player first time up here.

Form: 121227-

(4)

Rogue Spirit²²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: Tom Clover| OR: 96| D

11/1

Useful gelding who won 3 times over this trip as a juvenile. Disappointed when upped in grade on final start at Newmarket in October, though, and percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 133718-

(7)

Walbank^t1²⁹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K Stott| T: D Loughnane| OR: 102| CD

4/1

Easily took minor event over C&D 12 months ago before fine placed efforts in Norfolk and Molecomb Stakes. Not seen since but remains low mileage and must be taken seriously on return. Tongue strap on first time.

Form: 2123-

(11)

Pillow Talk³³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 93| CD

12/1

Won listed race at this meeting (5f) last season and not disgraced when sixth of 10 in Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) when last seen 10 months ago. Likely more to come this term.

Form: 216-

(3)

Silent Words¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: K A Ryan| OR: 88| D

12/1

Off the mark on debut at Newcastle in November and improved significantly on that form when second in minor event at Hamilton (5f, good, 4/1) 11 days ago. Asked a bigger question now but clearly going the right way.

Form: 1-2

Non-Runners

(1)

Katey Kontent²⁷⁹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: K Shoemark

Forecasts

Changeofmind (7/2), Rocket Rodney (4/1), Walbank (4/1), Great State (13/2), Hispanic (10/1), Rogue Spirit (11/1), Pillow Talk (12/1), Silent Words (12/1), Katey Kontent (12/1), Michaela's Boy (33/1), Looking For Lynda (40/1)

CHANGEOFMIND is yet to taste defeat and looks ready for this tougher grade after scoring decisively on his return at Catterick last month. He gets the nod. Rocket Rodney and Walbank bring the best juvenile form to the table and rate the dangers.