Matthew Flinders bids to pick up another big-race prize for Ed Walker

2.40 York
Matchbook Betting Podcast Hambleton Handicap | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Matthew Flinders made an eyecatching start to the season when third in the Spring Cup at Newbury last month on his first run after being gelded.

Not a lot went right that day as he dwelt at the start from stall one on the wing and ended up poorly placed but he ran on well.

It seems fair to assume he might improve with that reappearance under his belt, but trainer Ed Walker has a 13 per cent strike-rate with first-time-gelded runners since the start of 2016, dropping to ten per cent on their second run. So will he progress at all?

He is still lightly raced and it’s hard to make any firm conclusions, but you could point to last season when he improved 10lb from first start to second. That gives hope he can find more.

There are some popular old favourites among the remaining runners, none more so than the nine-year-old Firmament who will have his 13th outing on the Knavesmire.

David O'Meara: trainer of FirmamentCredit: Edward Whitaker

Firmament’s York form figures read 123321426108 and there has evidently been a drop in performance in recent years but he has the best form at the weights on Racing Post Ratings.

Among his best efforts last year was a close second to Tomfre in a 7f handicap at Doncaster, when he had another reopposing old favourite, Kynren, three places behind.

That effort was good enough for an RPR of 103, 10lb higher than his BHA mark of 93, and Kynren has a similar level. He achieved an RPR of 108 when fifth in the Ayr Gold Cup last September and that is also 10lb higher than his BHA mark, so don’t rule out the golden oldies.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

David Barron, trainer of Kynren
He’s regularly knocking on the door at this level and won’t mind a bit of cut in the ground so no doubt he’ll be on the premises again. He’s vulnerable to a young, improving type as he’s now seven.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Ouzo
He’s a winner over course and distance on soft ground so should find this perfect for him. He ran well for a long way in the Lincoln and has improved from it.

Ed Bethell, trainer of Artistic Rifles
I know he doesn’t want soft or good to soft ground so I may well pull him out after I’ve been to look at the ground. There is a handicap at Nottingham he could go for instead.

Ouzo: last seen in the LincolnCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Richard Fahey, trainer of Hartswood
I thought he ran respectably in the Thirsk Hunt Cup on his reappearance. He’s in good order and stall seven is fine. He’s won here before which is another plus.

Silvestre de Sousa, rider of Mostawaa
He ran well to be second in the Spring Mile when I rode him at Doncaster and he should be competitive. He’ll enjoy any cut in the ground.

Michael Wigham, trainer of Gloves Lynch
We had planned to run him in the Victoria Cup at Ascot last weekend but he was balloted out. This is plan B but he has a low weight and a decent draw.
Reporting by David Milnes

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