High hopes with easy ground right for Saunter

2.20 York
Sky Bet First Race Special Handicap | 1m2½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RUK

It is not often that a grasp of the French form book is required to work out a handicap on the Knavesmire but punters could do worse than give Saunter a second look despite his defeat on his reappearance at Maisons-Laffitte last month.

Trainer David Menuisier is hoping the rain continues to fall before post time for his grey, who was progressive last year and was not disgraced in France when finishing sixth in a Listed contest.

He said: "We went over there for soft ground but it was quick. He raced in a bunch of four away from the main runners but still managed to head that group at the line despite being drawn out of it."

Saunter is well berthed today in stall seven. There are positive vibes for Al Neksh (drawn three) and Repercussion (nine), who is trained by the in-form Charlie Fellowes.

Barrier to success?

A high draw is thought to be unfavourable, with three of the last five winners coming from the first five stalls, but this has been overcome in recent years by Clever Cookie (17) in 2014 and Mahsoob (18) in 2015.

Life in Soul

Awake My Soul makes his third appearance in this race, having finished third in 2014 and fourth last year.

What they say

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Not So Sleepy
He loves soft ground, on which he won the Dee Stakes, and we're glad to be finally getting him going after we took him out of Chester last week because of the ground. He has a decent draw and is ready to go.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Lustrous Light
He has a tough draw [15] and we're still finding out about him but he'll enjoy the ground.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of Shabeeb
He's done some nice work on the watered gallop and is ready to start back. He's not got a great draw but should handle the ground.

John Quinn, trainer of Speed Company
He's the highest in the handicap he's ever been but he ran well on his comeback at Epsom and we expect him to handle the ground.

Adam Ryan, son and assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Erik The Red
It was a tactical affair, which didn’t suit him, on his return at Newcastle and a more end-to-end gallop will be much more in his favour. He finished third in the race last year and should go well again.

David Menuisier, trainer of Saunter
We've been waiting for the rain with him and it's finally come. He ran well in a Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte, which was strong form as the second horse was Group 1-placed. We expect a very big run.

David O'Meara, trainer of Mythical Madness
He's been running well on the all-weather but I don't know if this rain will be a plus for him.

Rod Millman, trainer of Master Carpenter
He has a nice draw for a change as he had no chance on his first two runs. He was drawn on the wrong side in the Lincoln and then on the wing at Newbury. He'll be fine on soft ground.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Repercussion
There are plenty of positives as he's well drawn and will love the ground. He got a bit unbalanced in the Dip at Newmarket last time but should be better on this track.

Tom Tate, trainer of Awake My Soul
He's drawn out on the Tadcaster road by the looks of it and it just depends if he's quick enough to get over.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Qassem
He's had loads of entries but nowhere to go until now as we've been waiting for the rain. He ran well on his only start for us last November and is well forward.

William Haggas, trainer of Al Neksh
He's a better horse mentally this year and has been pleasing at home. He has a nice draw and will like the give in the ground.

Roger Fell, trainer of Two For Two
He's in good order but whether a mile and a quarter on soft ground suits him we'll have to see.