13:35 York

Saturday 25 May 2024

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 1m 12.2s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Roundhay Park¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler| OR: 80| CD

16/1

Dual C&D winner (including last summer) who returned to form from out of the blue when runner-up at Ripon (6f, good to firm) just over a fortnight ago. Has won at least once in all bar one of his seasons of racing and his turn could be near.

Form: 107-092

(6)

Champagne Sarah^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: M Murphy & M Keady| OR: 80| D

10/3

Bagged sprint handicaps at Newbury and Yarmouth last summer, and further success surely awaits this season judged on both efforts this term, again running well without things going her way when third of 26 at Ascot (6f, good to firm) 2 weeks ago. Capable of defying this sort of mark.

Form: 2043-33

(7)

Zaman Jemil²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mathers| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 80| D

100/1

Useful handicapper at his best last year but has beaten only 3 rivals in as many runs since joining new connections. Can only be watched.

Form: 45-6800

(21)

Royal Pleasure^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 80| D

9/1

Disappointing on the whole Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero last year but very much caught the eye - including the attention of the stewards - when a staying-on fourth of 15 at Thirsk (6f, soft) 3 weeks ago, finishing with plenty of running left. One to look out for from the same mark.

Form: 66770-4

(16)

Strong Johnson⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: P T Midgley| OR: 80| D

25/1

Had a busy 2023, hitting the target on 3 occasions. Posted a creditable effort after 10 weeks off when third at Newcastle (5f) a couple of months ago and this is his first attempt at 6f since last summer.

Form: 6262-63

(18)

Holkham Bay¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Brandon Wilkie⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Knight| OR: 79| D

17/2

In good form on the AW towards the end of last year and bounced back to best with his reappearance under his belt when second of 26 at Ascot (6f, good to firm) 2 weeks ago. Lightly-raced enough to think there could be further progress this season, so he's one to consider.

Form: 1233-82

(8)

Mattice^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Connor Murtagh| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79| D

12/1

Ended his 4-y-o campaign with success at Beverley and went one better than on reappearance when scoring at Ripon (5f, good to firm) just over 2 weeks ago. Has been competitive off marks in the 80s previously, so certainly not out of things back up to 6f.

Form: 6051-21

(15)

Tiriac^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: J Channon| OR: 78| D

11/1

Made the frame on several occasions last season and made it third time lucky this time round at Windsor (6f, heavy) 19 days ago. Hard to grumble with a 6 lb rise given the decisive nature of that success and will be a danger to all if able to reproduce that form back on a quicker surface.

Form: 435-631

(2)

Gulliver^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 78| CD

13/2

3-time C&D winner who took advantage of his lower mark back on turf when scoring at Thirsk (6f, heavy) 5 weeks ago, leading inside final 100 yds. Not the easiest to win with nowadays, but he remains well treated on the best of last season's form despite a 6 lb rise.

Form: 840431

(14)

Jenever⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 78| D

28/1

Won 4 times last year and has been in good form on the all-weather this year, making the frame for a third start in succession at Newcastle (5f) in March. Step back up to 6f should suit so he's respected back on turf returning from a break.

Form: 130-243

(19)

Mondammej⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 78| D

33/1

Losing run dates back to 2021 and seems to be getting more quirky with age. Not disgraced when twelfth of 17 at this course (5f, good) 9 days ago but the percentage call is to look elsewhere for win purposes.

Form: 547000

(4)

Remarkable Force^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 77

22/1

Won first 2 starts back in May 2022 and came close to adding to that tally when fourth at Wolverhampton in February. However, he's finished well held on both starts for this yard and the cheekpieces now go back on. Career-low mark to work with.

Form: 2-74550

(20)

Cliffcake⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Harrison Shaw| T: S R Bowring| OR: 76| D

40/1

Doubled his tally for the year at Southwell (6.1f) a couple of months ago, a strong gallop suiting him (has plenty of winning form over further). This much more competitive returned to turf and both wins this year have followed with below-par efforts.

Form: 00-5171

(10)

Tolstoy²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: B Ellison| OR: 76| D

22/1

Unreliable sort who ended long losing run at Brighton last September. Essentially blew his chance at the start on his first outing since leaving Stuart Williams (15,000 gns) when fifth of 6 at Wetherby (5.5f, soft) just under 4 weeks ago and others look much more solid.

Form: 19495-5

(3)

Shalaa Asker^t,v⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Cieren Fallon| T: A Keatley| OR: 76| D

12/1

All-the-way winner at Pontefract last summer and all 4 efforts this term confirm he's in reasonable nick. Was 5 lb out of the weights here earlier this month and this Class 4 company is much more his paygrade.

Form: 36-4560

(1)

Trilby¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S A Gray| T: S England| OR: 75| D

14/1

Won in the mud at Catterick and Haydock last month. Run of good form halted back on a quicker surface at Ripon (6f, good to firm) just over 2 weeks ago but could easily get back on track with any rain only enhancing his chance.

Form: 23-1510

(12)

Slainte Mhath¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Phil Dennis| T: K Scott| OR: 75| D

17/2

Proving consistent this year, finding just one too strong at Ayr (6f, good) 11 days ago. Winner that day has won again since, so she's fancied to be in the shake-up from the same mark.

Form: 56-3232

(11)

Rambuso Creek³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: K A Ryan| OR: 75

22/1

Doubled her tally following a second breathing operation at Leicester (5f) last October and stepped up on reappearance run when third of 11 at Beverley (5f, good to soft) last month, unlucky not to finish a little closer given he met trouble.

Form: 4515-63

(22)

Dark Kestrel^t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Russell| T: A Brittain| OR: 73| D

80/1

Bounced back to form to record his first win for current yard at Wolverhampton (5.1f) 12 days ago, typically tardy at the start but things opening up well for him in the straight. Back on turf but not one for maximum faith given his problems at the stalls.

Form: 200291

(17)

Beelzebub^h,t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 73| D

80/1

Made second start for this yard a winning one at Newcastle (7f) in January. Good third over the same C&D next time but form has dipped and took his record to 0-6 on turf at Ascot (6f, good to firm) earlier this month (rider slow to remove blindfold).

Form: 9-13570

(13)

Little Muddy³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Tommie Jakes⁽⁵⁾| T: S Spencer| OR: 72| D

18/1

Shaped as if retaining all ability when third at Doncaster on return in March and ran to a similar level when fourth at Catterick (6f, soft) a month later. This is a completely different kettle of fish, however, so easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 8207-34

Non-Runners

(9)

Ray Vonn¹⁵

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: B Brookhouse J: K Stott

Forecasts

Champagne Sarah (10/3), Gulliver (13/2), Holkham Bay (17/2), Slainte Mhath (17/2), Royal Pleasure (9/1), Tiriac (11/1), Mattice (12/1), Shalaa Asker (12/1), Ray Vonn (12/1), Trilby (14/1), Roundhay Park (16/1), Little Muddy (18/1), Tolstoy (22/1), Rambuso Creek (22/1), Remarkable Force (22/1), Strong Johnson (25/1), Jenever (28/1), Mondammej (33/1), Cliffcake (40/1), Beelzebub (80/1), Dark Kestrel (80/1), Zaman Jemil (100/1)

Another ultra-competitive sprint on the Knavesmire and having caught the eye with his staying-on fourth at Thirsk earlier this month, ROYAL PLEASURE is selected to go a few places better with headgear back on for the first time in a year. Clearly on a very good mark, he can get the better of Champagne Sarah, a filly that has returned in top form with a couple of third-placed efforts. Slainte Mhath, Tiriac and Gulliver are just a handful of others to consider, too.