York 15:45 5f Handicap 26th May 2012

SECRET WITNESS
Top class form so far this term including first and second here in last two weeks (5f/6f Good). Now up 11lbs since that win and another improved effort required here in hotter event.       

MAGICAL MACEY
Has done nothing wrong since last August and continues in a rich vein of form. Solid third here over CD backed up by Thirsk second last week confirms well being but another who needs more off higher mark now.       

LEXI’S HERO
Done most of his racing over 6f but has always shown smart turn of foot to suggest this trip will be fine. Won big field sprint here last Summer (6f Good) and pipe opener at Chester recently should have him spot on. Fallon booked; stable in form.       

ANCIENT CROSS
Slowly creeping back to a mark he can start to enjoy again and interesting to see how gets on today with the 7lb claim coming off too. Coming into this in slightly better form would be ideal though and others thriving at present.       

BAJAN TRYST
Just the one win on turf (6f Ripon; 2009) does little to inspire in race of this nature although has been in decent form of late on AW. Potential off this mark (2nd in Portland 2010) but might find things happening too quickly in this.       

CELERINA
Lightly raced daughter of Choisir who has two very close placed efforts to her name when coming over to the UK from Ireland. Looked unlucky last time in Listed contest; stable in form; Frankie booked. Big effort on the cards.       

TAX FREE
Still looks as though retains ability despite now being a 10yo and second off 1lbs higher in last seasons Steward's Cup gives him a chance. However, this likely to be run at a rattling pace and chances are the old legs will be floundering somewhat.       

FRATELLINO
Last turf win came as a 2yo and has a bit to find with some of these off this kind of mark. Has been on the go over the Winter but hard to envisage him causing an upset today.       

CATFISH
Won very nicely at Goodwood last July on latest start (5f G/F) when racing in group away from the others. Interesting to see Barzalona booked here for 4yo debut and prominent in betting for Epsom Dash. Fitness a worry but plenty going for her.       

VOCATIONAL
Has performed with plenty of gusto when getting today’s conditions and two races so far this term should put her spot on fitness wise. Interesting on h'cap debut but needs plenty of improvement to trouble some of these.       

DANCING FREDDY
Won well nine days ago (5f G/F Newmarket) in lower grade but hard to fancy a follow up in scorching contest such as this. A stiffer 5f more to his liking and can't seem he being up to this class.       

ALBANY ROSE
Another lightly raced 4yo filly (like Catfish) with potential to progress this term. Group one entry at Royal Ascot seems speculative and will need to step up on what's been shown so far; tricky to do that first time out in this event.       

LA FORTUNATA
Generally performs well at the speed tracks (Goodwood; Epsom) and likely to blaze away as is normally her style. As with a few of these it will be tough to have the edge over race fit rivals and on career high mark.       

PERFECT BLOSSOM
Looked a filly going places as a 3yo when rattling off five wins on the bounce during the Summer of 2010. Clearly had problems since and hope is new stable can spark life back into her. Dangerous if back to her best.       

JOHANNES
Not the force he once was but has dropped to 10lbs below last winning mark which was in race under these exact conditions (5f G/F York). Trainer often does well here and not beaten too far this term in two attempts so could surprise.       

HAZELRIGG
Quirky sort who will likely win a race of this nature during the season; albeit potentially at a lower level. Performed with plenty of credit this term so far; not beaten far and quicker ground a positive. Tricky to see winning though.       

BATHWICK BEAR
Once fairly smart type as a 2yo but hasn't gone on with the same flair since those days. Likely to be way out of his depth in race of this nature and best watched for the time being.       

MON BRAV
Finished midfield in this last term but saddle slipped that day and would be folly to rule out in today's contest as a result. Has won here in the past and extra 5lbs taken off by claimer in fine form. Cheekpieces back on.       

ZIGGY LEE
Another back from an absence. Looked class act when a 4yo but off the track all of last year and hampered on come back run nine days back at HQ so tricky to gauge at present. Will be worth noting if comes back to best this season.       



Frantic. Fast. Fabulous. A York sprint in the sunshine on decent ground. Plenty to like about a vast number of these and the top weights Secret Witness and Magical Macey come here in fine form and deserve respect. My gut feeling is that the rise up the handicap may just halt them in a contest as sizzling as this one though. Others to mention include Mon Brav who might just be short of this class but has claims on the book, as does Catfish, who may just lack for race fitness against some of these but is very interesting none the less. So the ones that seduce me the most and are really hard to split are the trio of CELERINA, LEXI’S HERO and JOHANNES. I think the booking of Dettori is a significant one for Celerina and she has to enter calculations. As for Lexi’s Hero, the stable is in fine form; he’s won here before in a similar event and has Fallon in the plate today. While Johannes, despite not getting any younger, gets these conditions for the first time in two years and is now 10lbs lower as a result. I’ll be splitting my stakes three ways between those.