Pace and Draw Angles
A number of pace pressers are drawn across the track, with Archduke Ferdinand (11) and Addison Grey (7) likely to go forward. There’s no natural trailblazer with no gallop types present, suggesting an even pace is most likely. Historically, the stands’ side (high) can offer a marginal advantage on quick ground here, favouring higher drawn, prominent racers.
Contenders and Tactical Profiles
🥇 Strongest Contenders
- Binhareer (10) – Progressive. Lightly raced 3yo from Haggas. Looked a different proposition when dropped to 6f at Ayr (RPR 95) and won readily despite whip loss. Ground fine, trainer in form (14-4-33), and open to stacks of improvement from a mid/high draw.
- Addison Grey (7) – Promising. Impressive in novice grade and shaped well upped to a strong Chepstow handicap (RPR 93). Unexposed, goes on fast ground, and has tactical speed. Trainer Clive Cox (63% rtf%) excels with this profile.
⚠️ Main Dangers
- Silver Samurai (5) – Proven. Been knocking on the door in tougher races, including solid efforts at Doncaster and Kempton. Track and ground okay; slight hold-up risk but comes with good late energy. Botti yard has fair rtf% and positive jockey booking.
- Sensorium (4) – Progressive. Eye-catching 3rd in a 20-runner York class 2 (RPR 91) after a win at Beverley. Should be better than a mark of 79. Handles ground and has tactical flexibility. Just needs a clear run.
🔍 Interesting Outsiders
- Strike (8) – Proven. Won this in 2022 and ran 2nd to Archduke Ferdinand here last year. Recent York run forgivable. Mark is fair and he’s 2/2 over C&D. Could bounce back.
- Gressington (9) – Unexposed. Some strong 6f form earlier this season; travels like a sprinter. Will need a career-best but capable of running into a place.
- Cayman Tai (2) – Progressive. Continues to hold form well in deeper races and not beaten far on AW debut. Not the best draw, but his 3yo profile gives upside.
Runner Scores and Suitability
- Binhareer: 9/10 – Very well suited; progressive 3yo with ideal trip.
- Addison Grey: 9/10 – Upwardly mobile; strong on paper.
- Silver Samurai: 8/10 – Solid at this level; proven and fit.
- Sensorium: 8/10 – Improving fast; 3yo allowance helpful.
- Archduke Ferdinand: 7/10 – Conditions suit but weighted to best now.
- Cayman Tai: 7/10 – Solid claims, but needs a bit more to win.
- Strike: 6/10 – Course form strong, but not obviously progressive.
- Gressington: 6/10 – 6f might suit more now; each-way claims.
- Ezra Cee: 5/10 – Lightly raced but form a notch below this.
- Grenham Bay: 5/10 – Well treated but recent form uninspiring.
- Rokuni: 3/10 – Out of the handicap; class rise looks too steep.
Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.
Each-Way Angles (11 runners)
- Gressington (9) – Lightly raced and travels strongly; could go well at a price.
- Strike (8) – C&D form compelling, repeat of 2022/23 efforts puts him in the frame.
Private Tissue Estimate
- Binhareer – 5/2
- Addison Grey – 7/2
- Silver Samurai – 13/2
- Sensorium – 7/1
- Archduke Ferdinand – 8/1
- Cayman Tai – 10/1
- Strike – 12/1
- Gressington – 14/1
- Ezra Cee – 20/1
- Grenham Bay – 25/1
- Rokuni – 50/1
Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.
Summary and Smart Play
A cracking edition of this specialist handicap with several lightly raced improvers among exposed older sprinters. Binhareer remains unexposed, and his Ayr win hinted at much better to come now campaigned over 6f. Addison Grey is a major threat on his second handicap start. Silver Samurai brings a solid back class and consistency, while Sensorium has momentum and upside.
Smart Play
- Win Bet: Binhareer – Classy type, looks well ahead of his mark.
- Each-Way Saver: Gressington – Travels well and could pick up pieces late.
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