John Smith’s Cup Preview

The northern feature of the day is the time-honoured John Smith's Cup from York. Calum Madell, @calummadell pulls out the magnifying glass and has a close look at this very tricky race.

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The 53rd John Smith’s Cup

A tough handicap to dissect as ever especially with the ground being pretty testing

Mijhaar is well handicapped now trying a hood on his Wolferton run where he was very fresh and ran a cracker. He has regularly been in these types of handicaps but has yet to strike gold though he never seems much value again in what is a really competitive race as ever, though a hood could really help him. More rain would be a hindrance however.

MEDIA HYPE has a great chance off his mark. He was a good winner here on his penultimate start and the ground did for him at Newmarket when last seen when it was pretty fast. That race was won by Area Fifty One who took it in convincing style. However the race seemed to fall into his hands slightly and whether he can get away with it again in a better race and with 8lb more in the weights. Ground is the big worry for many, notably Prince Of Johanne who looks pattern class. He has now won two big prizes in the Cambridgeshire last year and The Royal Hunt Cup latest. He looks a pattern class horse in the making but all his form is one good ground and that he is unlikely to get. The trip should be fine though as he’s versatile from a mile to 10f.

Kirthill was an eyecatcher last time in the Wolferton and is handicapped top go nicely again though ground is the worry with him.

Alkimos ran well last time at Ascot in the Duke Of Edinburgh and though maybe not too well handicapped, he should be thereabouts.

Memory Cloth had seemed to have been caught by the handicapper but then went in at Newcastle, landing a hefty gamble two weeks ago. He hasn’t been too badly treated by the handicapper and ground and trip are fine.

Navajo Chief beat Area Fifty One over 1m1f here last time but even with a claimer on, the weight may be too much to follow up albeit he’s run his best races here and goes on soft.

Mid Mon Lady doesn’t scream out as being too well handicapped though did run the smart Danadana close in the Zetland two starts ago.

Stand To Reason is starting to become a little frustrating and though possibly he didn’t stay out 1m4f the last twice, he isn’t one you’d bode much confidence with.

Licence To Till has been in decent form of late with a good win from the front at Chester and a solid third behind Area Fifty One at Newmarket but he also got the run of the race and the handicapper has caught up it seems now.

Pivotman and King’s Warrior were both well beaten in that race, the former first beaten while the latter isn’t a bad price seeing as his best form is on soft.

Tameem has promised to be better than his mark and needs a hood to bring that out. Right Step should have conditions to suit and has place claims while the old boy Nanton may not get his ground but it will be interesting to see if the ability remains.

Advice - Media Hype 2pts win @7/1 generally

You can read more of Calum's work on his blog, TheYoungRacegoer

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