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14:25 York

Saturday 26 August 2023

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

Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 2m 56.63s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Davideo⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: L Dettori| T: R M Beckett| OR: 99

15/2

Rapidly improving sort who ran out a ready winner of a Newmarket maiden (10f) on return in May and quickly put his Royal Ascot run behind him (crucially settled better) when going in again at first-named venue 6 weeks ago. Had bit in hand then and step up to 1¾m shouldn't inconvenience him.

Form: 02-101

(1)

Goldenstatewarrior⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 98

33/1

Made a winning debut in 15-runner maiden at Gowran (9.6f, heavy) in April prior to a solid fifth in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown. Similar form when fourth behind Gregory at listed level thereafter but longer trip needs to bring about improvement now handicapping for new yard.

Form: 154

(7)

Denmark^b1¹⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97

10/1

Winner of a Naas maiden (1m) on debut 12 months ago and improved when second Longchamp conditions' event in October. Underwhelming return effort when fifth in Group 3 Ballysax Stakes in April but longer trip should suit on pedigree and leading yard opt for blinkers back from a break.

Form: 12-5

(2)

Lordship⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 94| D

9/2

Progressing at a rate of knots over staying trips this summer, value for extra as he completed the hat-trick over this sort of trip at Haydock (14f) 7 weeks ago. This presumably been his target for a while and leading yard have won 2 of the last 4 renewals of this race. Respected.

Form: 4-22111

(9)

Middle Earth²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 93

9/2

Roaring Lion colt who displayed plenty of promise when runner-up first 2 starts and well suited by a true test upped to 1½m when landing 7-runner Newmarket novice 4 weeks ago, battling well. Likely there's more to come now handicapping tackling this longer trip.

Form: 221

(6)

The Goat²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

15/2

Cracksman colt who relished the testing conditions and showed much improved form when opening his account on handicap debut at Goodwood (12f, heavy) 24 days ago, going clear 1f out. Hit with a 12 lb hike in weights on the back of that and encounters a much quicker surface here.

Form: 32-631

(4)

Fox Journey²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 90

11/1

Justified support when doubling his tally at Newbury (12f) in July and stuck at it returned to more testing ground when third of 11 behind The Goat at Goodwood (12f) 24 days ago. Rates worthy of a crack at this longer trip on balance.

Form: 4-16413

(13)

Vaguely Royal⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 87

12/1

Son of Galileo who has made a bright start, comfortably off the mark at fourth attempt in a Doncaster maiden (11.9f) back in June. Interesting leading yard opted to geld him after and highly likely there's more to come now handicapping back from 69 days off.

Form: 3-221

(12)

True Legend^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 85

17/2

Typically improving middle distance handicapper for shrewd yard, gaining third career success (in first-time cheekpieces) at Salisbury (12f) in July. Did well under the circumstances when second at Goodwood (11.2f, soft) since and he remains one to be interested in.

Form: 116512

(10)

Edge Of Darkness¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 84

40/1

Australia gelding who has really found his feet of late, forging clear to complete a hat-trick of 1½m events at Newmarket 2 weeks ago, forging clear. Takes a marked step up in class now stamina is drawn out further but he's versatile as regards ground.

Form: 43-6111

(8)

Chillhi²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: B Ellison| OR: 84

28/1

Both career victories to date have come on AW at Newcastle but equally as effetive on turf, running well despite a steady pace when keeping on for fourth over 12.5f last time. Eased 2 lb in weights since but this rates tougher.

Form: 9-75354

(3)

Golden Move¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

28/1

From a good family and took a marked step forward to make a successful handicap debut at Doncaster (11.9f) in July. Not disgraced when sixth in handicap at Ascot (12f) a couple of weeks back but he needs to pull out in this deeper race up in trip.

Form: 6-2416

(11)

Alhambra Palace²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 79| D

13/2

Le Havre colt who arrives firmly on the up, off the mark in good style at Ascot (12f) and had little fuss following up from 6 lb higher mark at Sandown (14f) 24 days ago. Encounters a quicker surface now but revised mark promises to underestimate him. Player.

Form: 7-64211

Forecasts

Middle Earth (9/2), Lordship (9/2), Alhambra Palace (13/2), The Goat (15/2), Davideo (15/2), True Legend (17/2), Denmark (10/1), Fox Journey (11/1), Vaguely Royal (12/1), Golden Move (28/1), Chillhi (28/1), Goldenstatewarrior (33/1), Edge Of Darkness (40/1)

Hard not to be positive about the majority in a typically competitive renewal of this feature 3-y-o handicap with the narrow vote in favour of ALHAMBRA PALACE. He's impressed in landing each of his last 2 starts, latterly at this trip, and he can make a bold bid from the foot of the weights for the stable that has landed this race in 2 of the last 4 seasons. Goodwood eye-catcher True Legend, the selection's stablemate Lordship and Vaguely Royal head up the dangers.