YORK

3:25 BETFAIR SPRINT (HERITAGE HANDICAP) (CLASS 2) (3yo,0-105) 6f

DOHASA 9-7 ~ Gerald Lyons trained gelding who showed impressive form last season when progressing through the nursery ranks. He looked a sprinter with a bright future after a series of fine efforts under top weight. His final run of the season was a little below par but he was probably feeling the effects of a long season. He still wasn’t disgraced though finishing only a neck behind fellow heavyweight Capt Chaos who has since recorded a win in a Group 3. He returned this season in a handicap at Naas where he finished 6th but it set him up nicely for a conditions race at Leopardstown next time out. He won that race and stayed on well to quash suggestions the he can only perform over the minimum trip. It was a decent race with the 2nd, Prince Shaun, running well in the Group 3 Ballycorus Stakes next time and the 3rd, The Loan Express, and the 4th, Bett’s Spirit, having both already proven themselves in Listed class. Donasa looks to be a Group horse in a handicap and as he proved during his juvenile campaign he is more than capable of carrying top weight in handicaps. Conditions should be ideal with the ground drying all the time and he possesses more than enough speed to be effective at this track. He has leading chances and has to be at the head of any shortlist.

ANCIEN REGIME 9-6 ~ Entered in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at the beginning of the season which highlights the regard this son of King’s Best is held in at home. He disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket when well beaten over 7f. However he would have been in need of the run after 7 months off the track and racing over a trip that stretches his stamina he wasn’t seen at anywhere near his best. With the run under his belt and stepped back in trip he showed vastly improved form to win a good 3yo heritage handicap, again at HQ. He only won by ¾ lengths from Carleton but he won with more authority than the winning margin suggests as he looked to have the race won almost two furlongs from home. The handicapper has responded by putting Michael Jarvis’ colt up 8lbs which will make life tough but he looks a progressive performer who could well cope with his new mark. He should have no problem with the ground, or the track, as he has plenty of pace so he deserves his place as one of the main protagonists.

MAZE 9-3 ~ Royal Ascot winner last season when he took the Listed Chesham Stakes which is a race traditionally won by future middle distance juveniles. However Maze has yet to run over 7f and his best effort so far in his career came over course and distance in the Listed Rockingham Stakes. He finished 2nd but under his penalty he emerged as the best horse in the race, at the weights. He hasn’t run up to that level of form in three subsequent starts and after two below par runs this season he has plenty to prove. Although clearly talented he isn’t a horse to trust and he still has to prove he has trained on. If hasn’t then he’ll struggle on his current handicap mark and with all the questions hanging over him he is passed over.

VAN BOSSED 9-0 ~ A wind operation over the winter appears to have made all the difference to the Dandy Nicholls trained gelding. He has improved some 20lbs since the start of the season and as he showed when easily winning two handicaps at Ripon he possesses a telling turn of foot. In the latter he beat a fair field of 3yo handicappers with ease and on a form line though Mister Hardy he is closely matched with Michael Jarvis’ race favourite Ancien Regime. Next time out in a conditions race at Hamilton however he was a beaten short price favourite. He was comfortably held by rivals he was entitled to beat on form but in the six runner race the early pace was slow and he didn’t enjoy it at all. He pulled hard off the slow pace and did too much too soon but with a return to a bigger field and a stronger pace he should be able to bounce back to form. Also he has to cope with the 11lbs hike in the weights after his easy win at Ripon but he is a progressive individual who should have the scope to deal with his new mark. He looks to have a fine chance for a stable that does so well in these types of races but further improvement is a must.

PROHIBIT 9-0 ~ Showed promise as a juvenile during three runs in maiden company but John Gosdens colt has progressed significantly over the winter. The son of Oasis Dream made a winning seasonal debut in a competitive handicap at the Craven meeting and that was a fine effort. He was worth an attempt in a Listed event after that handicap win and he lined up in the Pavilion Stakes at Ascot. He was the lowest rated horse in the line up but he was far from disgraced in 3rd. That race left the impression though that he is just short of the level needed to win those types of races. Dropped back into handicap company he finished 3rd behind Ancien Regime in a competitive 3yo handicap but he never appeared totally in love with the firm ground. Todays ground should suit him better and he does have a 6lbs pull in the weights so he has a chance of reversing the form. Next time out at Haydock he was back in Listed company and despite being hampered he was never going to win and his progression looks to have leveled off. He looks hard to place at the moment as he doesn’t seem good enough for Listed events but he is too high in the ratings for handicaps. He is a consistent sort though so is sure to run his race but he looks sure to find at least a couple too good.

BRAVE PROSPECTOR 9-0 ~ As a juvenile Peter Chapple-Hyams colt ran a fine race in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes. Over a trip that would have stretched his stamina and in ground that would have been softer than ideal he ran massive race to finish 4th behind a trio of good 2yo performers. That was his final start as a juvenile but when he returned this season he was a major disappointment on his first two starts. He looked like an obvious example of a horse who hadn’t trained on from 2-3yo. However at Newmarket next time the tongue-tie was applied and it definitely seemed to do the trick as he ran a fine race behind Ancien Regime. He finished 3½ lengths behind Ancien Regime but he has a 9lbs pull in the weights today which should help give him a chance of reversing the form. He isn’t fully exposed so he has a chance of progressing further but even if he doesn’t he shouldn’t be too far away at the finish.

SPITFIRE 8-13 ~ Above average sprinter as a 2yo but that means he holds few secrets from the handicapper. It also means he’ll have to improve just to run up to his high handicap mark. Last season he ran a couple of good races at Doncaster in stakes races but his form away from the Yorkshire track is poor in the context of todays race. He made his seasonal reappearance, again at Doncaster, in a conditions race where at the ratings he should have had the beating of the field. He finished 2nd but it was a poor event and then next time out in a competitive handicap at Newmarket he was well beaten. The 7f trip in both races looks probably further than he ideally wants to go so the step down in trip should suit. However he looks plenty high enough in the handicap and given the competitive nature of todays race he’ll need to find improvement from somewhere to figure. Judging by his overall profile there is little to encourage that he’ll find the necessary improvement needed and he is readily taken on.

VHUJON 8-12 ~ One of the more exposed runners in todays field but as he has already proven he is a more than capable performer on his day. He finished an unlucky 2nd in the Listed Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy as a juvenile and then returned this season to win a hot handicap at Kempton in eye-catching fashion. A reproduction of either effort would put Peter Evans’ colt in with a chance of being competitive in todays race. However he is far from consistent and he isn’t sure to put his best foot forward. Even if he is on a going day however he’ll still needs to improve to win as he doesn’t look particularly well handicapped. Despite the obvious negatives though the unpredictable nature of the colt and his undoubted talent mean that he has to be considered a lively dark horse.  

LYTTON 8-12 ~ Clearly a juvenile who was held in some regard last season as after breaking his maiden on his debut he was pitched straight into Group company. The son of multiple Group 1 winning sprinter Royal Applause could only finish 6th but he was only beaten about 3-4 lengths. Against more experienced rivals he was far from disgraced which is a comment that can also apply to the colts next effort in the Listed Rockingham Stakes. Over course and distance he finished 5th but he didn’t get the clearest of runs and it provided plenty to look forward to for the following season. He returned this season at Great Leighs and there was plenty of confidence behind him in the market. That suggested that the horse was ready to build on the promise shown as a 2yo but his backers knew their fate rather sooner than they would have expected. As the horse left the stalls his jockey was unseated after the horse reared and veered leaving the gate. This is his first real attempt in a handicap and as the handicapper has little to go on he could be nicely treated with the colt open to any amount of improvement. The confidence behind him last time suggests the colt has improved over the winter so he comes into the race as a lively outsider.

DUBAI PRINCESS 8-12 ~ Normally a consistent filly it was a real out of character performance at Beverley last time when running an absolute shocker. The ground was used as an excuse but with similar conditions likely today she could again struggle. She had previously shown good form as a juvenile, including when finishing 2nd behind Spinning Lucy in the Listed Bosra Sham Fillies' Stakes. She confirmed the impression that she is a decent Listed class filly on her reappearance when chasing home Cartimandua in a race that has worked out well. Against her own sex in Listed company she looks a more than capable filly but against the colts in a competitive handicap it remains to be seen whether she can prove just as effective. This is her first attempt in handicap company so it could make the difference but after her last effort in similar ground (used as the excuse) she is taken on.

FASTHA 8-10 ~ 24 starts so far in his career and he seems to have improved with every run. After a fine win in a competitive 7f handicap here at York the handicapper hit him with an 8lbs rise in the weights. That probably persuaded connections to run him in a Listed event at Epsom where he ran another massive race behind potential Group horse Iguazu Falls. He pulled too hard off the slow early pace but still ran with aplomb and he comes into todays race in the form of his life. He has to improve again to win on his new handicap mark but that isn’t out of the question given the progression he’s shown. However all his best form has comes over 7f so although capable over 6f todays sharp 6 may not suit and in such a competitive event everything needs to be in a horses favour. He is a dangerous horse to rule out though as he is such a consistent colt and he is in the form of his life. Fastha definitely looks one of the more likely contenders in todays race and he has to be respected.

CARLETON 8-9 ~ Highly tried as a juvenile but his career best effort came last time out in a handicap when chasing home todays favourite Ancien Regime. He came from last and made good headway before his effort flattened out at the finish. He has been raised 5lbs in the handicap for that effort but he has a 3lbs pull in the weights with Ancien Regime. That rhetorically gives him a good chance of reversing the form but the impression was the eventual winner had more up his sleeve and more potential improvement. There is also the concern that the todays sharp track and how the race will pan out won’t suit the horses hold up style. Prominent runners in York sprints don’t tend to come back to the field unlike most other tracks and given how the horse runs he’ll need the race to fall into his lap with the leaders going off much too fast. That seems unlikely given the lack of many obvious front runners. Overall, despite the colts fine run last time, his profile doesn’t encourage that he’ll be capable of winning todays competitive handicap. He looks sure to run his race however and be challenging for a place when swooping late but if effort is likely to flatten out once again.

VICTORIAN BOUNTY 8-8 ~ The son of Bahamian Bounty has improved since his juvenile days and this bold front runner used those tactics to full effect when beating Fastha at Sailsbury. He is 2lbs better off with that rival today but he beat him fairly comfortably by 1¼ lengths. On the basis of that form it’s hard to see how Fastha could reverse the form but he has improved since then. As for Victorian Bounty he faded to finish 6th behind Ancien Regime next time out in a competitive handicap at Newmarket. On the bare form it seems he faces an almost impossible task to reverse the form with any of todays rivals that beat him at HQ but this race is a different ball game. As the only confirmed front runner in the field he should prove a lot harder to peg back at a track that suits speedy individuals. A horse with his profile is not to be underestimated in York sprints and he rates as an interesting outsider who should get the run of the race.

KALDOUN KINGDOM 8-8 ~ Showed progressive form for Ed Dunlop last season which resulted in the colt winning an Ayr nursery by 7 lengths. No getting away from the fact that was a poor race but he couldn’t have won any easier. He has since made the switch to the shrewd Richard Fahey stable. On his seasonal debut for his new yard he produced a career best effort at Newmarket when runner-up to Prohibit. That was a very encouraging effort and he was expected to build on that but next time out at York he only managed to beat two home in a competitive 7f handicap. He blatantly didn’t stay however as he weakened out of contention in the final furlong. Back at 6f he is weighted to reverse form with Prohibit but he’ll need to bounce back to form and he has to improve to win in todays competitive heat. He is another horse who has chances on the best of his form.

SEEKING STAR 8-7 ~ Only effort of note came in a 7f conditions race at Leicester but the race hasn’t worked out at all well. In two starts in handicap company this season he has only beaten one horse and there is nothing to suggest he is capable of being competitive today.

HAMISH MCGONAGALL 8-7 ~ Took him six attempts in maiden company to get off the mark as a juvenile. Having finally won at long odds on he was put away for the season. He returned at Thirsk when finishing 2nd in a decent 3yo handicap but that race hasn’t turned out at all well. Hamish McGonagall was the only horse who has really gone on from that race but he did win a good handicap here at York during the Dante meeting. Tim Easterby always lines up a winner for that meeting and the son of Namid was his plot horse this year. He stepped up considerably on all previous form when winning the 3yo handicap and the form has been franked by the 2nd Lesson In Humility when winning a conditions race at Doncaster next time. That was over the minimum trip and he has previous looked better at that trip rather than todays 6f which is a concern. However he is a progressive colt and if he is going to get 6f it will be here at York. He’s in the form of his life and could be capable of defying the handicappers 6lbs penalty, as a result he has to enter calculations.

MEYDAN PRINCESS 8-7 ~ After three runs so far this season a step up to a mile rather than a drop down in trip would have looked the obvious direction for Jeremy Nosedas filly. Although she has produced three fine efforts this season she can start slowly and get behind before staying on late. Her style of running won’t be suited by todays sharp 6f, especially when she isn’t guaranteed to have enough speed. Although a solid filly that looks one to follow this season today race doesn’t look to play to her strengths and she is taken on.

BALDERMAR 8-7 ~ Comfortably beaten by Van Bossed on his seasonal reappearance and although that rival had the benefit of race fitness he is only a lb better off today its and hard to see how he can reversing the form. He did improve next time at Nottingham but he still has plenty to find on the principles and he is passed over.

STRIKING SPIRIT 8-6 ~ Beat eventual Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes winner Beacon Lodge when breaking his maiden at Haydock last season. He was probably flattered by that though as he had the benefit of a run and experience over his rival. Next time out over course and distance he ran a good race behind eventual Listed winner Floristry in a nursery. Barry Hills’ colt was put away for the season after that effort but returned in fine nick when finishing 6th behind Prohibit in a competitive handicap. He was slightly unlucky not to finish closer than he did after begin hampered in the final furlong and it was an encouraging effort. His run next time in a five runner handicap at Newmarket is best forgiven as it was a messy races and the form doesn’t look reliable. He should be able to bounce back to form in a big field again and with a solid pace to attack. The Oasis Dream colt looks an interesting outsider considering it’s almost guaranteed that we haven’t seen the best of him yet.

GOOD GORSON 8-6 ~ Michael Hills prefers Good Gorson to Striking Spirit which could be important considering the jockey rode them both last time out. However Good Gorson looks the more exposed of the two which is a direct result of his consistency. He was beaten at Chester from a good draw before the drop down in class at Windsor allowed him to record his first win in a handicap. That was no more than an average handicap and this will prove lot tougher. He’ll have to improve on that effort since the handicapper has put him up 6lbs for that win. He is a hold up performer and has been labeled an unlucky horse but that does raise serious doubts about the colts tactical pace to take advantage of the gaps when they appear. He looks to have plenty on his plate today and he can be taken on.

CONCLUSION

The market for this race appears to be focused mainly on the form of Ancien Regimes win in the heritage handicap at Newmarket last time but as it doesn’t look particularly water tight form it may prove profitable to find a horse who didn’t line up in that race. This is an ultra competitive field and just as was the case here yesterday it may prove wise to find an each way angle into the race.

Traditionally high numbers have been favoured in this race but of those drawn high only Spitfire looks a potential front runner and he has been held up on both of his two starts this season. With the only guaranteed pace angle Victorian Bounty drawn low it seems sensible to focus on horses drawn low, especially as there didn’t appear to be much bias at yesterdays meeting.
That rules out the favourite Ancien Regime but he doesn’t look much value anyway considering he still has to improve on all known form to win today after his 8lbs hike in the handicap.
Fastha has been a credit to his trainer as he keeps on progressing but he has to hit the wall eventually. The combination of a drop down in trip and a career high handicap mark may prove too much in a race where horses really need everything in their favour.
That comment also applied to Hamish McGonagall who has to prove he can be just as effective over 6f than 5f and the handicapper has responded to his win last time at the Dante meeting.
Striking Spirit might have been tempting but he has plenty to prove despite showing encouraging signs and that doesn’t appear to have been factored into his price.

The four interesting each way horses for todays race are Dohasa, Van Bossed, Victorian Bounty and Lytton.
Victorian Bounty has plenty to find on form of his Newmarket 6th last time and his 7th behind Prohibit again at HQ. However his style of running is ideal for todays race and he looks more than likely to get the run of the race out in front. He could well run into a place at a massive price but he is more than likely to find at least one too good in the final furlong.
Lytton is something of a dark horse having been well backed on debut before unshipping his jockey at the start. It’s highly probable he’ll make up into a better horse than a 95 rated performer but if he is slowly away leaving the stalls it could leave him too much to do over this sharp 6f.
The pendulum is swinging between Dandy Nicholls’ Van Bossed and the Irish trainer Dohasa. Van Bossed is sure to bounce back after his poor run last time and he looked potentially very good when showing a good turn of foot to win a handicap at Ripon. His trainer is more than capable of getting a horse ready to win this race but slight preference is for the Irish raider Dohasa. He doesn’t look badly handicapped on the best of his form and although at first glance top weights don’t have a good record in todays race those that have run well have deserved to on form and this colt definitely does. He possesses a telling turn of foot and is more than capable of carrying his heavyweight. His future looks to be in Group races and he may have the edge over many of todays handicappers.

1pt EACH WAY – DOHASA @ 25/1
1pt PLACE – VICTORIAN BOUNTY @ 8.2

RESULT

DOHASA 6th = -2pts
VICTORIAN BOUNTY 2nd = +6.84pts