Gimcrack Glory For Hannon?

A host of leading juveniles head to York on Saturday for the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes over 6f (3.15)…

…a race which has either enhanced or dented a number of reputations down the years.

Richard Hannon
One who will be looking to avoid defeat in making it three wins on the bounce is Richard Hannon’s Baitha Alga, who was last seen landing a similar Group 2 at Royal Ascot two months ago (good to firm).

A dual 6f winner previously, he will enjoy the step back up to that trip on Saturday, where he should confirm placings with Ahlan Emarati (4l third at Ascot)

…and The Great War (6l fifth).

Hannon also has Beacon, who made it three in a row when landing a Listed race at Sandown (5f, good), before beaten into third upped to Group 3 class at Goodwood latest (5f, good to firm). The question is: will this extra furlong suit?

Irish Challenge
Tommy Stack’s Accepted, comes here with a solid reputation having won both races to date – the latter a quality Listed affair at Tipperary (5f, good). Considering he had no pace to track that day (raced alone early on), he will get a good gallop to lead him here, and the fact he won his debut over 6f makes him a serious contender.

Aidan O’Brien sends over The Great War, but he may have gone backwards having lost both races in Britain since an opening double in Ireland. If O’Brien has him back then he is capable, though the market could provide the biggest clue.

Charles Hills’ Muhaarar, has also lost his last two races since a winning debut over 6f (soft), he got to within almost 3l of Ivawood in a Group 2 at Newmarket last month (6f, good to firm), before filling the same spot in a Listed race over 7f. This step back to 6f will be more suitable and he could be one for the places.

The aforementioned Ivawood went onto land a Group 2 at Goodwood three weeks ago (6f, good to firm) where Mark Johnston’s Jungle Cat, was almost 5l behind. On those formlines, you would think Muhaarar should finish ahead of Jungle Cat on Saturday.

Kevin Ryan has won the race three times since 2004, though his Teruntum Star would need serious improvement if reversing form with Bryan Smart’s Fendale, who made it 2-2 when landing a minor 5f event by just under 2l from Teruntum Star at Musselburgh a few weeks ago.

Karl Burke’s, Glenalmond, also comes here with a 100% record having won a weak 6f maiden at Ayr last month (good to soft), but will similarly need to step up a few gears if featuring.

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Gimcrack winners…

10 winners ran during the last 21-60 days – others were 0-25
8 won only one race
Kevin Ryan won it three times
4 winners came via Newmarket July 4-17 (24%)

Recommended Bets
Baitha Alga sets the standard having won a Group 2 at Royal Ascot, though he has been absent since and may be there for the taking. If so, then Ahlan Emarati could be the one. He finished strongly behind Baitha Alga over 5f at Ascot, and having flopped over 7f last time, could find this race ideal.