Class 2 | 1m2f56y | 3yo+ | £100,000 | Going: Good to Firm

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Pace & Draw

York’s 1m2f can favour those ridden handy, but strong handicaps like this often develop into truly run affairs. Prominent racers Marhaba Ghaiyyath, Thunder Wonder, and Castle Stuart ensure no shortage of pace. Draw historically neutral here, but inside-to-middle often best with a big field – low draws (1–7) could get a ground-saving trip if pace comes across.

Expect honest gallop → strong-staying handicappers should come through late.

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Strongest Contenders

• Greek Order (11) – 9/10
  Progressive Kingman gelding, solid Hunt Cup and Goodwood runs this summer. Shapes like this trip is now ideal, and Oisin Murphy is a major plus. Fresh profile, still scope from OR 97.
• Marhaba Ghaiyyath (14) – 9/10
  3yo improver from Johnston yard, knocking hard at the door in big-field handicaps. Strong second at Goodwood (nk) – still open to progress and looks very much like he’s on a “big pot” path.
• Westridge (7) – 8/10
  Won Chesterfield Cup stylishly and then backed it up with 108 RPR at Goodwood. On a roll since cheekpieces applied, Ryan Moore up. Must prove stamina fully holds at York but plenty to like.
• Classic Encounter (10) – 8/10
  Lightly raced, career-best York win in June, unlucky not to go close in Sandown Class 2. Buick booked, unexposed at 1m2f, could easily take another step forward.

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Main Dangers

• Tony Montana (12) – 7/10
  Strong York record, multiple solid efforts in major handicaps. Just finds winning tough at this level but will be finishing off.
• Ron O (2) – 7/10
  Course specialist (form figs 211251 at York). Won the John Smith’s Cup last year, coming back to life recently. Dangerous if this turns into a test of stamina.
• Erzindjan (3) – 7/10
  Big run here last time after a year off, best work late. If building on that, could outrun his mark again – but consistency not guaranteed.

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Interesting Outsiders

• Seagolazo (5) – 6/10
  3yo grey, lightly raced, and looks to want further. York 2nd last autumn reads well. Needs more but could surprise from a low weight.
• Per Contra (6) – 6/10
  Reliable type for Tim Easterby, running consistently well at 1m2f/1m4f. Probably a place player rather than a winner at this level, but very honest.
• Zain Blue (15) – 6/10
  Inconsistent but has run very well here before (close 5th at the Ebor meeting). If the cheekpieces sharpen him again, he’s not impossible at a big price.

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Runner Ratings

• Greek Order – 9/10 (progressive, strong form, ideal trip)
• Marhaba Ghaiyyath – 9/10 (3yo on the up, big handicap type)
• Westridge – 8/10 (thriving, Moore booked)
• Classic Encounter – 8/10 (progressive, Buick up, York form)
• Tony Montana – 7/10 (York specialist, consistent in big C2s)
• Ron O – 7/10 (course lover, on revival path)
• Erzindjan – 7/10 (interesting if building on return run)
• Seagolazo – 6/10 (3yo, lightly raced, stamina queries)
• Per Contra – 6/10 (honest handicapper, but may lack class edge)
• Zain Blue – 6/10 (York form, but unreliable)
• Sir Busker – 5/10 (grand servant, but regressing)
• Dain Ma Nut In – 5/10 (big leap in class, exposed profile)
• Castle Stuart – 5/10 (unexposed 3yo, but still raw for this)
• Dark Moon Rising – 5/10 (York runs suggest held by these)
• Thunder Wonder – 5/10 (useful, but recent runs say vulnerable at this mark)

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Private Tissue (my odds)

• Greek Order 5/1
• Marhaba Ghaiyyath 6/1
• Westridge 7/1
• Classic Encounter 8/1
• Tony Montana 10/1
• Ron O 12/1
• Erzindjan 12/1
• Seagolazo 16/1
• Per Contra 20/1
• Zain Blue 20/1
• Others 25/1+

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Summary & Smart Play

This is a typically deep York finale, with pace likely to ensure a strong test at 1m2f. The most progressive profiles belong to Greek Order, Marhaba Ghaiyyath, and Classic Encounter, while Westridge is thriving and has Ryan Moore to eke out further progress.

Smart Play:

• Win Bet – Greek Order (progressive, top-class handicaps, Murphy booked)
• Each-Way Saver – Marhaba Ghaiyyath (3yo improver, knocking on the door, strong stamina angle)
• Longshot to note – Ron O (York lover, back to form, could hit frame again at a price)