Racecards
14:10 York
Persimmon Homes Stakes (Handicap) (Class D)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 1m 208y
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
Spanish Don
12- Form 40-0061
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey L P Keniry
mid-division, headway over 2f oput, ridden over1f out, hung left, stayed on
- Form 121002
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss D Mountain
- Jockey O Urbina
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
- Form 162022
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Trainer E J O'Neill
- Jockey J Carroll
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 522-553
- Age 3
- Weight 9-9
- Trainer K R Burke
- Jockey Darren Williams
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong
Esplanade
12- Form 3231
- Age 3
- Weight 9-8
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey B Doyle
keen, chased leaders, lost place over 2f out
Pango
24- Form 245210
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey J F Egan
behind, headway over 3f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never trouble leaders
Bravo Dancer
15- Form 4-31026
- Age 3
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey Tony Culhane
mid-division, driven over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, never on terms
- Form 115000
- Age 5
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Dale Gibson
behind, ridden and stayed on final 2f, never nearer
Dmitri
10- Form 204045
- Age 3
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer M L W Bell
- Jockey P Hanagan
chased leaders, lost place 4f out, soon weakened
- Form 212335
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Trainer G G Margarson
- Jockey Pat Eddery
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out
Parting Shot
15- Form 5-00050
- Age 5
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey K Dalgleish
chased leaders, lost place 7f out, soon behind
Pagan Prince
13- Form 0-60021
- Age 6
- Weight 9-1
- Trainer J Toller
- Jockey Lisa Jones
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, stayed on
Ice Cracker
30- Form 036221
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer Mrs A Bowlby
- Jockey K Darley
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
Tiger Tops
19- Form 025030
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Merdiff
15- Form 60-4000
- Age 4
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer W Brisbourne
- Jockey C Catlin
raced keen, led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
In depth
Verdict
Sir Michael Stoute should finish the York season as top trainer and can cement his claims via Esplanade, with Pango, Cool Temper and Start Over just three others to consider in this large field. With eight victories on the Knavesmire so far this term, The Minster Jaguar Trophy for top trainer looks destined for Freemason Lodge, and in Esplanade, the Newmarket yard may have the answer to this 20-runner handicap. The three-year-old filly has been given a mark of 78 for her handicap debut, but could have a lot more to offer after scoring at Bath on just her fourth career start. She did not beat much but has the scope to improve markedly and may have been under-rated. A low draw is beneficial on faster ground at York, and most of her main rivals are housed on the stands side. They include Start Over, narrowly touched off at Musselburgh a fortnight ago, and Spanish Don who bounced back to form at Windsor on his first outing for David Elsworth. Pagan Prince is on the near side as well but should be given a good ride by Lisa Jones and is one to consider for place purposes. However, Pango beat him at Epsom and is slightly better off at the weights, so should finish ahead of James Toller's runner. Cool Temper's successes have been in low-grade handicaps, but he too should not be discounted. All in all, it is a typical end-of-season affair at York and one in which Esplanade has the scope to finish on a high.