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15:10 York

Saturday 13 July 2024

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:5017:25

John Smith's Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 2m 9.66s

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(14)

Astro King²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 111| CD

16/1

Inspired buy by connections, second in this last year before winning a nice prize at the Ebor meeting and the Cambridgeshire in September. Not seen to best effect the last twice and wouldn't rule out back in a handicap despite his big mark.

Form: 16-8249

(6)

Botanical²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: R Varian| OR: 107| BF| CD

9/2

Well found in the betting when an easy winner of C&D handicap on return. Possibly unsuited by the firmish conditions when disappointing in the Wolferton 25 days ago and far too soon to write off.

Form: 1231-10

(23)

Liberty Lane⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 106| BF

14/1

Won big-field 1m Doncaster handicap in September and strong at the finish when taking 9f Newmarket handicap in May. Much better than bare result at Epsom (finished with running left) and contender here despite his high draw.

Form: 410-017

(24)

Haunted Dream²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 104| D

7/1

Tremendously admirable individual, not having had a significant break since the start of 2023 but turning up and running his race every time, including when second in the Wolferton last month. Third in this last year and set to go well again despite high draw.

Form: 84-2742

(15)

Killybegs Warrior²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Garritty| T: C Johnston| OR: 102| D

66/1

Won a valuable handicap over this trip at Newmarket last summer and some smart efforts in defeat subsequently. Seems to be in a bit of a lull for now, though runners from this yard can bounce back when least expected.

Form: 3-26700

(3)

Penzance²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 100| D

18/1

Progressed at a rate of knots on AW over the winter, winning 4 times over this trip and good second of 14 at Newcastle on Good Friday. Entitled to strip a little fitter for first run in 11 weeks here last month and no surprise to see a big run from low draw.

Form: 11-1126

(1)

Enfjaar^h²³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 94| D

15/2

Good record fresh, successful first time up again in Chelmsford handicap over this trip 3 weeks ago having been gelded. Must kick on from that now (didn't last season), but still unexposed and could be set for a big run under a penalty.

Form: 1/1006-1

(18)

Dual Identity⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Brandon Wilkie⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Knight| OR: 97| BF| D

22/1

Added to his fine Sandown record when taking 1m handicap in May and good runs there twice since. Unlucky loser in the 2022 Cambridgeshire and interesting on first run at York under good 5 lb claimer.

Form: 00-5136

(19)

Kihavah^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: A Keatley| OR: 97| C

40/1

Thrived last summer and has carried on the good work this term, including a fine second at the Dante Meeting here. Has a great record at York over 1½m (form figures of 165112) and drops back in trip now but it seems sure to be strongly-run and he's of interest at a big price.

Form: 12-7429

(22)

Epic Poet²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97| D

15/2

Smart in France. Disappointed in 3 outings for the Meade stable last year but quickly back on track for David O'Meara, finishing an excellent second in Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot. Drops back in trip and drawn high but probably just a matter of time before he wins a good handicap. Big player.

Form: 2/670-62

(8)

Kingfisher King²⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: O J Orr| T: W J Haggas| OR: 96| D

12/1

Scored at Salisbury on just his second start last year and couple of respectable efforts in handicaps to end the campaign. Still unexposed starting out second campaign for top yard but suspect he'll find this trip on the sharp side.

Form: 21234-

(20)

Box To Box²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 96| D

28/1

Fine record at Chester, his last 4 wins coming there. Placed 3 times in Bahrain during the winter and just about better than ever when going close back at Chester the last twice, much closer to the good pace than Loyal Touch last time and doing well. Player under excellent apprentice.

Form: 23-0222

(21)

Take Heart^p1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: B M Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 96| D

16/1

Dual winner last term and good efforts in Cork handicaps the last twice. Cheekpieces go on and yard's runners can never be dismissed here. One to consider.

Form: 215-024

(7)

Paradias⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: George Wood| T: A King| OR: 95| D

18/1

Won at Sandown last summer and good efforts in top handicaps next 3 starts, including here over further. Resumed on the level with an excellent second at Epsom and this probably isn't beyond him.

Form: 15450-2

(2)

Remaadd^t1⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Davies| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103

8/1

Fairly useful 1m juvenile winner who returned with an excellent third in the Sandown Classic Trial. Folded tamely in listed race there next time though and faces a stiff introduction to handicaps with tongue tie reached for now.

Form: 213-35

(13)

Machete¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Joanna Mason| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93

50/1

Shaped well on debut for this yard when fourth in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar n May and excuses twice since. Well treated on pick of his French form and just the sort David O'Meara will find the key to at some point.

Form: 749-407

(10)

Tony Montana²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Hector Crouch| T: M L W Bell| OR: 93| D

28/1

Resumed with victories in Chester and Windsor handicaps over this trip but found the Duke of Edinburgh all too much last month and this isn't much easier.

Form: 703-110

(16)

Loyal Touch¹⁴^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 88| D

40/1

Steadily progressive this year and scored on turf for just the second time when edging out Box To Box at Chester over this trip last month. Not so good in stronger race at Newcastle next time though and more needed off revised mark under penalty here.

Form: 272015

(5)

Euchen Glen²¹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 11| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: J S Goldie| OR: 88| CD

40/1

2018 winner who showed he's still capable of useful form when snapping a losing run at Ayr (13f) a fortnight ago. Fourth in last year's Ebor off 3 lb higher but surprising if he's up to regaining his crown 6 years on.

Form: 0-09241

(11)

Crack Shot²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 92| BF

9/1

Progressive at 3 yrs and made a winning return at Newmarket in May. Fourth to Dual Identity at Sandown next time and notable how strong in the betting he was when down the field in the Hunt Cup latest (raced away from main action). Could have a bigger performance in him over this longer trip.

Form: 510-140

Non-Runners

(9)

Marhaba The Champ²²

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: K A Ryan J: S A Gray

(4)

Flying Frontier²⁸

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: J Tate J: Rowan Scott

(17)

Scampi²⁹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 6

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Botanical (9/2), Haunted Dream (7/1), Enfjaar (15/2), Epic Poet (15/2), Remaadd (8/1), Crack Shot (9/1), Kingfisher King (12/1), Liberty Lane (14/1), Take Heart (16/1), Astro King (16/1), Marhaba The Champ (16/1), Scampi (16/1), Paradias (18/1), Penzance (18/1), Flying Frontier (20/1), Dual Identity (22/1), Tony Montana (28/1), Box To Box (28/1), Euchen Glen (40/1), Kihavah (40/1), Loyal Touch (40/1), Machete (50/1), Killybegs Warrior (66/1)

Stall 22 is a potential concern but EPIC POET, well treated on his French form, looks sure to land a top handicap for David O'Meara following his excellent second in the Duke of Edinburgh and he gets the vote in a typically wide-open John Smith's Cup. The admirable Haunted Dream and Kihavah, at bigger odds. are live contenders, with Penzance and Liberty Lane also towards the top of the shortlist.