This 16-runner sprint handicap for three-year-olds is set to be run at a furious pace, with several habitual front-runners in the line-up. York’s 5f track often rewards early speed, particularly when the ground is on the fast side, and the low draw bias is notable. However, in an unusually strongly run race like this, there’s scope for closers to feature if they find racing room late.


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Contenders

DOTHAN (TFR 90, Edward Bethell)
Scored narrowly at Doncaster in April and wasn’t disgraced in a deeper race at Hamilton since. A lightly-raced sprinter with a favourable pace setup and a strong trainer record with improving 3yos. Proven at 5f on quick ground. Looks set to be played late; a clear run is essential.

LUNA A INBHIR NIS (TFR 91, Katie Scott)
Progressive filly who’s won three of her last four, all over 5f, including a strong win at Musselburgh a week ago. Trainer turns her out quickly again. Likely to race prominently from a handy mid-berth and remains unexposed in handicaps. Strong claims.

BARMYBLADE (TFR 95, Tim Easterby)
High Timeform rating and shaped well under a penalty when third at Ripon, travelling powerfully but not quite getting home. Arguably better suited by the return to a sharper 5f and has improved markedly in recent starts. Trainer is 0/9 with runners in this race last 10 years, but this gelding is thriving.

WINCHURCH (TFR 92, Michael Appleby)
Bounced back to form when winning at Leicester (5f, good to firm) just 10 days ago. Penalised 6lb but still holds a workable mark. Needs to prove he can repeat it in a stronger field and likely to be held up again; pace scenario could help but will need things to fall right.

CAPE SOVEREIGN (TFR 92, Kevin Ryan)
Running well in solid handicaps and finished fourth of 22 in a hot race over course and distance in May. Should get a decent tow into the race and is well suited to a fast-run 5f. Worth noting that Kevin Ryan has a good general record at York but hasn’t won this race recently.


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Dangers & Outsiders

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU (TFR 94, Ben Haslam)
Comes into this off a career-best second at Thirsk last week. Has the pace to go forward and won’t mind the ground. Slight concern over how quickly he backs up, but the stable does well with sprinters on fast ground.

JUST KING HIGH (TFR 93, Dylan Cunha)
Won well on the AW last backend and shaped with minor promise in a huge York handicap on return. Second run back after a breathing operation. May still be sharpening up and drawn wide, but likely better than he’s shown this year.

BOYNE LADY (TFR 92, Roger Fell)
Won gamely at Redcar last time. Has been on the upgrade since April and has tactical speed. Yard in decent form, and her record on good to firm suggests she should be competitive again if not caught wide early.

FARANDAWAY (TFR 92, Grant Tuer)
Strong maiden form and likely to be suited by a proper pace. Yet to win, but hasn’t had many chances. Second start in a handicap—market support would be very notable.

MARAJITO (TFR 93, Tim Easterby)
Improving steadily and just touched off in a 0–65 at Southwell last time. Up in grade but the draw isn’t unkind and he has strong finishing speed. Faces a tougher ask here but unexposed at 5f.


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Hold-Up Types Needing Luck in Running

DOTHAN, WINCHURCH, FORAGER, and possibly JUST KING HIGH will all likely be delivered late and could be hostage to fortune in traffic.

INVINCIBLE ANNICE is also one who doesn’t race handily and has no recent form to recommend her.



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Trainer Notes / Trends

No trainer has a recent win in this exact race.

Tim Easterby is double-handed with BARMYBLADE and MARAJITO, the former looking the more likely based on recent performance.

Edward Bethell (Dothan) is 2/8 at York this season and currently in good form.



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Marks out of Ten

Horse Suitability (Trip/Track/Going) Recent Form Trainer Signal Pace Match Total (/10)

DOTHAN ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ 9
LUNA A INBHIR NIS ✅ ✅✅ ⚠️ ✅ 8
BARMYBLADE ✅ ✅✅ ✅ ❌ 8
WINCHURCH ✅ ✅ ❌ ⚠️ 7.5
CAPE SOVEREIGN ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ 7
BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU ✅ ✅ ❌ ✅ 7
JUST KING HIGH ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ 6.5
BOYNE LADY ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ 7
FARANDAWAY ⚠️ ⚠️ ❌ ✅ 6.5
MARAJITO ⚠️ ✅ ❌ ✅ 6.5
DAN TUCKER ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ 6
FORAGER ✅ ✅ ⚠️ ❌ 6
MAE AMOR ✅ ✅ ❌ ❌ 5.5
DO IT NOW ✅ ❌ ❌ ⚠️ 5.5
BONNIE’S BOY ✅ ❌ ❌ ❌ 5
INVINCIBLE ANNICE ✅ ❌ ⚠️ ❌ 4.5



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Private Tissue Estimate

DOTHAN – 5/1

LUNA A INBHIR NIS – 6/1

BARMYBLADE – 13/2

WINCHURCH – 8/1

CAPE SOVEREIGN – 9/1

BOYNE LADY – 10/1

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU – 10/1

JUST KING HIGH – 12/1

MARAJITO – 14/1

FARANDAWAY – 16/1

Others 20/1+



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Summary

This race should be run at a frantic clip, favouring those able to stalk the pace before pouncing late. DOTHAN has the profile of a horse ready to step forward again, well suited by the setup and backed by strong trainer signals. LUNA A INBHIR NIS and BARMYBLADE are in excellent form and remain dangerous, despite minor suitability concerns. Market support for FARANDAWAY or JUST KING HIGH would be significant. With 16 runners, each-way value plays include BOYNE LADY and WINCHURCH, both expected to get a good tow into the race.

This looks a competitive sprint handicap, but if DOTHAN gets a clear run, he may well be the one finishing strongest.