15:10 York

Saturday 13 July 2024

Premier Race Day Text
All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:5017:25

John Smith's Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

  • 3YO plus  |   Class 2  |   1m 2f 56y  |   Good to Soft  |   20 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:11  |   Winning time: 2m 9.66s
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1
(14)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
2
(6)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
3
(23)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
4
(24)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
5
(15)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
6
(3)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
7
(1)
Horse silk
Enfjaarh23(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.
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Timeform
8
(18)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
9
(19)
Horse silk
Kihavahp,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.
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Timeform
10
(22)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
11
(8)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
13
(20)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
14
(21)
Horse silk
Take Heartp129
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.
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Timeform
15
(7)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
18
(2)
Horse silk
Remaaddt151
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.
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Timeform
19
(13)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
20
(10)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
21
(16)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
22
(5)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform
23
(11)
Horse silk
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.
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Timeform

Non-Runners

12
(9)
Horse silk
Marhaba The Champ22
Weight: 8-12|  Age: 5
T: K A Ryan  J: S A Gray
NR
16
(4)
Horse silk
Flying Frontier28
Weight: 8-11|  Age: 4
T: J Tate  J: Rowan Scott
NR
17
(17)
Horse silk
Scampi29
Weight: 8-11|  Age: 6
T: A M Balding  J: Non Runner
NR

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)

Verdict

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.

Previous Winners

2023
Pride Of America
Weight: 9-8  |Age: 6
18/1

Prize Money

1st: £103,080.002nd: £48,340.003rd: £24,180.004th: £12,080.005th: £6,040.006th: £3,020.00

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