Punting pointers for the Sky Bet Handicap as O'Keeffe and Spencer take aim

1.55 York
Sky Bet Handicap | 1m3f188y, 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Jamie Spencer has ridden three winners and four seconds from eight mounts for Leyburn trainer Jedd O’Keeffe this season and they take aim at this £70,000 handicap with the progressive Jazeel.

The four-year-old scored at Sandown in July and has been a three-time runner-up in five starts for his new connections, including most recently when a half-length second to Fayez at Goodwood.

Jazeel boasts form figures of 212 with Spencer aboard and tries 1m4f for the second time, finishing fifth in the Shergar Cup Classic on his previous attempt when trained by Mick Channon last year.

Fantastic form

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The form figures of Jamie Spencer's mounts for Jedd O'Keeffe this season

O’Keeffe said: “Jazeel is having a marvellous season and has not been entirely lucky in getting the strong pace that suits him. This is a little bit of an experiment over 12 furlongs as I firmly believe a strong pace over ten furlongs is ideal.

“Jamie [Spencer] is a huge asset for any trainer and connections and we love using him. His riding is outstanding and his feedback is excellent. He’s an important part of the team.”

Age range

Eight of the last ten renewals have gone the way of progressive four-year-olds and the Ed Walker-trained Caradoc fits the bill.

Oisin Murphy’s mount carries a 5lb penalty for a recent victory at Windsor but there could be more to come from the lightly-raced son of Camelot and Walker is hopeful of a big run.

He said: “Things haven’t gone right for him during his career with an injury at three but we’ve always thought he’s very good. His recent win at Windsor was the second time we’ve felt he’s shown his true potential.

“The step up in trip should suit, it’s the perfect track for him and the decent ground is ideal.

“The only question mark is the quick turnaround but he’s come out of the Windsor race in great form. He goes there with as good a chance as any and I wouldn’t swap him.”

Williams unleashes four-strong attack

Ian Williams has assembled a four-strong squad for the opening handicap on day three with the market expecting Mandarin to fare best.

Mandarin boasts form figures of 22113 since June, most recently finishing a half-length third behind the reopposing Indianapolis in the Shergar Cup Challenge.

Recent Ascot winner Western Duke, the consistent Speed Company and Restorer, who finished an encouraging fifth in the Challenge, complete Williams’ team.

Ian Williams: four runners for the Portway trainerCredit: Dan Abraham

Williams said: “Mandarin ran very well at Ascot – he finished nicely from a position a little too far off the pace – and Speed Company has run well at York this season and is off a nice light weight.

“Western Duke was really suited by a decent pace at Ascot and this race and track should suit him, while Restorer has been slowly coming down the handicap. He put in a nice performance at Ascot and should be competitive.”

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of Gibbs Hill
He’s got top weight but I think if he can transfer his work at home to the racecourse he’ll run very well. He was very fresh in the Northumberland Plate after such a layoff and ran a bit too much on the mettle, but he came out of it just fine and has trained well since. We’re hoping that coming back to a more conventional trip where he showed his best level of form a couple of years ago will bring about another high level performance.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Epaulement
He’s very solid and genuine. He’s a big horse and improving all the time so should run another good race.

John Gosden, trainer of Corelli
He likes a galloping track and has a chance in an open race.

James Given, trainer of Indianapolis
I’m very much looking forward to running him, he’s not drawn too badly and must have a fair chance. The race unfolded nicely for him at the Shergar Cup and he’s come out of it in fine shape.

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