Pointers and trainer views as King aims to get one over Flat rivals in Hambleton

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

Alan King believes he could have his best ever team for the Flat this season and the early signs suggest he will be proved right.

The trainer, who is best known for his runners over jumps, came within £15 – a little more than the cost of two admissions to the centre of York racecourse – of reaching £500,000 in prize-money on the Flat last year but is on course to smash that total this campaign.

Beringer has been the major contributor, finishing third in the Lincoln before winning at Newmarket, and the progressive mile handicapper looks sure to give another good account in this £50,000 contest.

"He seems in good form. I've been delighted with his runs this season and he's done well since Newmarket," said King. "He's not run at York before but I hope and think he'll run very well."

New hero aiming to break new ground

Hayadh has already gone from villain to hero at Rebecca Bastiman's yard – now he could become a legend.

He left the trainer nursing multiple injuries after unseating her on the gallops last month, only to redeem himself by landing the £40,000 Thirsk Hunt Cup on May 4.

'Her phone probably saved her life' – Bastiman recovering from horror fall

"He's already paid us back in style and it would be amazing if he could win this," said Bastiman. "I've never trained a winner at York myself, although I had a great experience with Borderlescott in the Nunthorpe when my father was training.

"I'd like to think he has every chance. He won well at Thirsk and he's got a good draw. I'm a little worried that it might have come round a bit quickly but he's come out of his last race bouncing.

"Ideally he wants a bit more juice in the ground but they look after the track so well there, it's like a carpet."

Have the bookies got it right?

As if finding the winner of a 17-runner handicap was not hard enough, O'Meara sets a question by saddling four contenders and he is far from convinced the bookmakers have judged his quartet correctly.

Hortzadar is the shortest priced of them, having won at Pontefract and Redcar since joining the yard from France this year, but O'Meara warned: "He's going massively up in grade so he's going to have to prove himself – he's won two 0-85s.

"He's in good form but is drawn wide in 18, which isn't ideal, and it wouldn't surprise me to see some of the others run well. Waarif has been solid enough in his runs this year, although he's been slowly away at times.

"Escobar and Firmament have the class to figure. The ground will suit Escobar much better than it has done so far this year and it wouldn't surprise me to see him involved. Firmament is just waiting to bounce back into life, he's classy when he wants to be."

KEY STAT
Nine of the last ten winners carried between 9st and 9st 4lb

What they say

Keith Dalgleish, trainer of What's The Story
He's in grand form. He ran well last time when he finished well after trouble in running and this mile should be ideal for him.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Love Dreams
He was second last year and ran very well at Goodwood two weeks ago, just getting overhauled. We know the conditions suit after last year and he's in good form. It's another deep and tough handicap at York but he has a very good chance.

David Simcock, trainer of Bless Him
He's been gelded and seems to have recovered from his problems of last year. He does look particularly well, carrying a little excess condition, but he's been training as if he's back to where he was two years ago.

Simon Crisford, trainer of Mutafani
We've been very pleased with him. He lacks experience but he's been working nicely. It's a very tough race for him to make his handicap debut in but we think he'll learn plenty from it and progress this season.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Just Hiss
He doesn't come to himself early in the season but he's in great form and ran a really good third at Haydock. He's come out of that well.

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