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17:20 York

Saturday 26 August 2023

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

Sky Bet Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 2m 7.74s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Astro King⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 102

10/3

Ended time with Sir Michael Stoute on a downer but gelded following 2022 campaign and has performed well in 2 of his 3 starts for new connections this year. Near miss in the C&D John Smith's Cup last time was one of his best efforts yet and merits serious consideration with William Buick booked.

Form: 460-402

(10)

Haunted Dream²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 101| D

3/1

Enhanced good AW strike rate when scoring at Chelmsford in April and has since posted a string of cracking efforts in strong turf handicaps, including when runner-up at Glorious Goodwood (1¼m, good to soft) last time. Big player despite going up 3 lb for that.

Form: 3-10232

(12)

Killybegs Warrior²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: C Johnston| OR: 104| D

16/1

Got off the mark for 2023 in 12-runner handicap at Newmarket (1¼m, good) last month, proving ¾-length too strong for Obelix. However, struggled off this 5 lb higher mark at Glorious Goodwood and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 369010

(13)

Oviedo³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 101| D

11/2

Landed the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1¼m, good) in May before hanging violently left when down the field in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot. Back on track when third in listed company at Newbury but he was pretty keen (not for the first time) and will need to settle better here.

Form: 08-6193

(11)

Masekela^p1⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 93WS

40/1

Successful twice as a 2-y-o, including in listed company, and was a fine fourth in last year's Epsom Derby. However, he hasn't shown much spark so far this year and hopes pinned on the first-time cheekpieces/wind op helping to spark a return to form.

Form: 42-6996

(18)

Marie's Diamond⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 91

25/1

It's now 29 runs since his last win in 2021 and while he proved that plenty of ability remains when going close over C&D in May, his 3 subsequent efforts have been knowhere near as good.

Form: 052600

(15)

Obelix^p⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 96

15/2

Fairly useful 1m juvenile winner who posted his best effort when ¾-length second of 12 to Killybegs Warrior last month at Newmarket (1¼m, good). That form isn't working out particularly well, though, and an even bigger effort will be needed here off this 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 221-802

(8)

Box To Box²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 88| D

17/2

Landed a third Chester success of his career in June. Has found just one too strong both starts since, including over this C&D last time, and it would be no surprise to see him feature prominently once again.

Form: 9-06122

(9)

Have Secret²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

8/1

Improved with each start last year, winning 2 nurseries, and has continued on the up this term too, making the frame in a trio of top 3-y-o handicaps. Bumped into a Group-class performer at Glorious Goodwood (1¼m, soft) last time and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 131-442

(2)

Postmark^t⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: D Fentiman| T: M F Harris| OR: 85| D

80/1

Dual Flat winner last summer and opened account over hurdles at Newbury (16.3f) in February. Hasn't posed much of a threat in 3 starts since resuming in this sphere in June, though, and he looks up against it.

Form: 130-860

(3)

Thundering³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: K A Ryan| OR: 84

18/1

Went close in a big-field handicap off a 6 lb higher mark over 1½m at this meeting last year. However, he hasn't come close to matching that level of form since and now finds himself with a fair bit to prove.

Form: 78-5047

(17)

Eeetee⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| CD

33/1

Bagged handicaps at Haydock and Redcar during the spring and one of his 2 victories last year was gained over this C&D. By no means disgraced back here last time but this is a much deeper race.

Form: 101666

(16)

Innse Gall¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 80| D

33/1

Made it 5 wins from 29 career starts when accouting for 6 rivals at Ayr (1¼m, good) a fortnight ago. That represented a career-best but will need to scale new heights if he's to follow up in this stronger handicap off a 4 lb higher mark.

Form: 533431

(14)

Loyal Touch^p1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 86

28/1

Won a Carlisle novice and Kempton nursery (both 1m) as a juvenile. Not discredited in 3 appearances this time round but, at the same time, he hasn't shown enough to suggest that he'll be up to winning a handicap of this nature.

Form: 151-956

Non-Runners

(4)

Certain Lad³⁰

Weight: 9-11| Age: 7

T: J Channon J: George Bass

(7)

Gaassee²⁹

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: W J Haggas J: Tom Marquand

(6)

Symbol Of Light⁵⁸

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: Miss J A Camacho J: Oisin Murphy

(5)

If Not Now⁵⁵

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Haunted Dream (3/1), Astro King (10/3), Oviedo (11/2), Obelix (15/2), Symbol Of Light (15/2), Have Secret (8/1), If Not Now (8/1), Box To Box (17/2), Gaassee (10/1), Killybegs Warrior (16/1), Certain Lad (16/1), Thundering (18/1), Marie's Diamond (25/1), Loyal Touch (28/1), Innse Gall (33/1), Eeetee (33/1), Masekela (40/1), Postmark (80/1)

Several to consider in a typically competitive renewal, with HAVE SECRET topping the list. Richard Fahey's charge has done nothing wrong in three top 3-y-o handicaps this year and can make his first visit to the Knavesmire a winning one. Haunted Dream is a thoroughly likeable type who still appears to be improving and he is feared most, though Astro King was just in front of him in the John Smith's Cup and is also greatly respected. Box To Box completes the shortlist.