YORK
1.50
FUJAIRA PRINCE was very impressive when winning on his comeback and handicap debut at Doncaster last time out. He’s had an interrupted career and is having just his fifth run despite being five.
Roger Varian’s gelding could be a good way ahead of the handicapper, even after a 7lb rise for that win. This longer trip should be ideal and he is one to follow.
Sir Michael Stoute does well with his older handicappers and Crystal King warrants this hike in grade after a good win at Wolverhampton after six months off last time.
He is a proven stayer with more to offer. First Eleven is dropping into a handicap after a good third in an Ascot Group 3 last time. He stays well and can make his presence felt.
2.25
ALJADY is interesting on this first start as a four-year-old. He showed promise last season, finishing off with a close-up second in good company at Ascot. He has been gelded since then and should improve this year.
He has won his two comeback races each season so goes well fresh and is on a fair mark. Reputation got the better of Staxton when winning at Ripon last time.
He was seven lengths ahead there but is 9lb worse off at the weights today so it could be a fair bit closer.
Wentworth Falls is a good each-way price and was beaten in a tight finish at Doncaster last time. A repeat of that would give him a chance.
3.00
YAFTA was a place ahead of Brando last time at Newmarket and may have needed that comeback run after eight months off. He wasn’t helped by having to switch when running on well before being beaten a head.
He enjoyed the 6f there but stays further and that’s no bad thing at York. Limato won three times last season including in a Newmarket Group 2 over 7f.
He likes this trip too and should make his presence felt. Invincible Army was impressive when winning a Doncaster Listed race on his comeback and looks capable of further improvement.
3.35
SPARKLE ROLL was impressive when winning on her three-year-old debut when winning with plenty in hand at Sandown last month. She showed a high cruising speed there before quickly putting the race to bed.
This is a fair step up in class from that but the trip suits and she has more to come. Frankellina didn’t have a lot to beat on her sole run, at Yarmouth in October, but she did it really well and should improve for the winter and the step in distance today.
Sand Share and Entitle run in the same colours and there won’t be a lot between them. The former should really appreciate this distance having run well to go close in a couple of Group races last season.
4.05
BREATH OF AIR went into the notebook when finishing a very unlucky fifth at Newmarket on comeback last time out. He was running with a full tank only to find his passage blocked a couple of times.
Ryan Moore had to sit and suffer until finishing well once in the clear. Stepping up a furlong looks a wise move and hopefully Moore will get him into a better position this time.
Karnaval cruised along for most of his comeback at Newmarket last time before running out of stamina over the mile distance. Sir Michael Stoute drops him in trip here which looks a smart move.
Space Blues went down by just a head at Nottingham last time when still looking a little green. That was fair enough given he’s had just three runs and there should be a lot more to come.
4.35
SUN POWER was yet another expensive buy for connections and trainer Richard Hannon will have him wound up enough to do himself justice on this debut. There’s a fair bit of pace in the family so this trip should be fine.
Bomb Proof is another nice newcomer for Noseda and Dettori. This trip should be on the sharp side but he’s another who will know his job first up.
Kidda and Harswell were both gutsy winners last time but need to take a step forward shouldering a penalty today.
5.05
PAST MASTER could be the answer to this tough finale. He didn’t do a lot wrong last season with wins at Goodwood and Salisbury. He’s a fair 5lb higher than the most recent of those victories and this trip is right up his street.
With the Henry Candy horses going well he should do himself justice. Starcaster enjoyed this distance when beaten a neck at Thirsk coming back from six months off and making his debut for new connections.
A repeat of that would see him in the mix again. Get Back Get Back showed the benefit of a breathing operation when beating a big field at Doncaster on comeback last month. He sees out this distance well and can hit the frame again.
NEWTON ABBOT
2.10 Heatstroke
2.45 Ollie Vaar
3.20 Jot’em Down
3.55 Igor
4.25 Hold Me Tight
4.55 Southfield Vic
5.30 The Swagman
YARMOUTH
2.00 Lincoln Red
2.35 Archer’s Dream
3.10 Birch Grove
3.45 Star Of Valour
4.15 Juanito Chico
4.45 Hi Hi Silver
5.15 Space War
BATH
5.25 Lily Of Year
5.55 Powerful Dream
6.25 Swiss Pride
6.55 Great Bear
7.25 Francophilia
7.55 Double Legend
8.25 Greyzee
PERTH
6.05 Skiddaw Valleys
6.35 Make It Happen
7.05 Iconic Belle
7.35 The Boola Bee
8.05 River Icon
8.35 Mr Mercurial
9.05 Angel’s Envy
