Kevin Ryan has an awful record in handicaps at this meeting, 4-167, but two of those winners have come in the Churchill Tyres Handicap. In fact, his record since 2019 in this race reads quite well, 4, 16, 14,5,12, 7,20,10, 3,1,17, 1,9,5.
With wins in 2023 and 2024 and Bergerac finishing fifth last year, he looks like he targets this sprint.
This year he is reprosented by Russet Gold, American Style and We Never Stop.
We Never Stop was 9th in this last year off 89 at 15/2 and is off 91 today. The fact he is 0-9, never placed, in races with 16+ runners is a worry.
Russet Gold has his second start for Ryan after running really well at Leicester last time. He finished with running left after getting hampered at a vital stage behind Strike Red, 7lbs better off, and the 6yo is 15lbs lower than what he was a year ago.
He hasn't won since he was a 3yo and he is yet to place in 7 races with 16+ runners but his chance is transparent.
American Style is the one I like out of the trio. The 4yo had a very successful season last year and he has returned in top form when third to Kodiac Thriller in a 0-85 at Ripon. He recorded a Timeform speed figure of 115, running a career best Timeform form figure as well. He is up in class today and is drawn on the A64. However, he is likely to lead and Rowan Scott may well dictate where this field goes.
The booking of Oisin Murphy for Fast Track Harry takes theye considering he has only ridden three times for Clive Cox since 2021, one win. He is 10-76 overall for the handler, so I wonder if Jeff Smith, owner, has booked him.
Fast Track Harry was second over this course and distance in the 3yo handicap at the June meeting last year, where American Style was 2ls behind him. He is 10lbs worse off with American Style, but he looks a danger.