COLONEL MAK Two wins this year show his talent continues to improve and comes here thriving. Would need to better highest winning handicap mark to land this and this track coupled with quick ground unlikely to play to his strengths.
CHUNKY DIAMOND Dropping back into handicap company after disappointing since returning this year as a 3yo. Needs to show more before can be counted a serious contender in these types of events.
VAN ELLIS Has been racing over further than today's trip in career so far, although record at speed tracks encouraging. Fallon in the plate a bonus but faces stiff mark to overcome here against elders.
GRISSOM Yard in decent form at present (21% strike rate in last 14 days) and comes here off back of heavy ground win at Hamilton. Faces a very different kind of test today off a 4lbs higher mark and that might just find him out.
KALDOUN KINGDOM A regular at this course and two runs so far this season should put him right for this. A runner up in this event two years ago under similar conditions and he's 7lbs lower today. Jockey two from three on him; leading claims.
KLYNCH Has been in fine form this season so far, getting through the mud a few times to win including here. Risen up the handicap as a result and may have found his limit now in as tough a race as this.
HEAD SPACE Last two runs on softer surface can be ignored and likely to show best once more back on much quicker ground here. Needs to keep improving as now 12lbs higher than last win, but no surprise if he does.
SWISS CROSS Excellent record on the sharp downhill speed tracks gives hope he'll handle the course here. Only 2lbs higher than for last win and encouraging to see Dettori booked; could be there at the finish.
POWERFUL PRESENCE Bagged hat trick of wins this season so far but caught out when only third last time at Newcastle. Up a further 3lbs in a race where speed will likely be the deciding factor gives him plenty to do.
BREATHLESS KISS Won at Beverley last term off just 4lbs lower and has been tried in higher company between now and then. Fairly inconsistent sort; claims can be made but hard to see her troubling the judge.
FAST SHOT Twice a winner already this term and has remained quite progressive. Ground won't be a worry to him and Easterby team in fine fettle at present. Each way claims on best form now up 6lbs since last win.
MISPLACED FORTUNE Another who must come into the reckoning as an each way possible given his consistent nature and record over CD reading 3323. Graham Lee has done well since reverting to the flat and game showing easy to envisage.
TAX FREE Best handicap performance for some time when second in last year's Stewards Cup off 2lb higher gives him chance here. However, feeling is that always one or two better than him these days and best likely to hope for is supporting role.
GRAMERCY Needs to get back to the form that saw him run very well in defeat last term if he's to have any chance here. Current row of four duck eggs does little to inspire. Dropping mark his supporter's only hope in hot contest.
CAPAILL LIATH Has been running over further than today's distance of late and while shown up well on occasions it'd take a huge effort to sweep past nineteen other rivals and take the spoils today.
FARLOW Easy to see further improvement in this gelding after only ten career starts and recent run at Ascot after mini break likely to put him right for this. Another for whom it'd be no surprise to see him go well.
NASRI Two wins and some excellent placed efforts last year when he was thriving. Moved stables during this campaign and he's been fairly disappointing on the whole. Not one to place faith in at present and passed over.
SACROSANCTUS Seems to like Epsom and best performances this season have been there. Not that great elsewhere but liking for speed a positive. Would be highest winning mark if coming home in front but a few too many negatives to get excited about him.
EL VIENTO Only 1lb higher than last winning mark now and entitled to some improvement having only the three starts so far as a 4yo. One of a large handful that could easily be there at the business end for a trainer who always does well at the track.
LAST BID Highly impressive York record (11226) and clearly enjoys the quicker ground more after floundering somewhat so far in bad ground this term. In against elders she needs to show best again but price could be big for in form trainer.
Summary
Always an enjoyable spectacle to watch unfold down the Knavesmire and this year it’s a very tricky puzzle to solve. Richard Fahey and Barry McHugh teamed up to land this three years ago with Knot In Wood when he was a 7yo and they could repeat the trick this year with KALDOUN KINGDOM. He generally performs with credit when turned out over this course and distance and gets on well with his jockey. The quicker ground will be similar to what he encountered here two years back when nabbed on the line by Hawkeyethenoo, so with 7lbs less today he deserves a chance to get his head in front. From the younger brigade it’s FARLOW that just catches the eye above some others. He’s performed really well on flat tracks and with only ten starts under his belt he’s likely to have improvement left in him. A mid season break and come back run at Ascot should have him set here. Of the rest a special mention goes to Misplaced Fortune who’s course and distance record is eye catching and another with a similar course record in the shape of Last Bid. The Easterby team are going well and the return to York on quick ground should suit the filly. Her price tag of 25/1 could tempt the each way players.
Firstly a good write up VK and good luck with your bets
FWIW I also like the Easterby horse you mention but I also like the claims of El Viento, think he will benefit from the quicker ground and now is hopefully fit enough to do himself justice.
One point to note is that though KK is indeed on a 7lb lower mark than this race 2 years ago, he was in fact ridden by a 5lbs claimer so in real terms he is only 2lb better off.
Firstly a good write up VK and good luck with your betsFWIW I also like the Easterby horse you mention but I also like the claims of El Viento, think he will benefit from the quicker ground and now is hopefully fit enough to do himself justice.One po
You are of course correct about the actual weight carried by KK. So you could say he was running off 96 that day. He ran off 95 in Oct '11 and again finished 2nd over CD when Hanagan was on board; so now he's off 94, coupled with Barry McHugh seeming to get a decent tune out of him in these big field sprints, is what pushed me into giving him another chance to shine. The race is obviously very tricky to find the winner of with 16/20 runners priced between 10/1 and 20/1.
Thanks and good luck if you have a go too Roo!You are of course correct about the actual weight carried by KK. So you could say he was running off 96 that day. He ran off 95 in Oct '11 and again finished 2nd over CD when Hanagan was on board; so now