'The Chelmsford run should have him spot on' - trainers on the ITV opener

Sky Bet And Symphony Group Handicap | 5½f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Punters spend a lot of time trying to get into the minds of trainers. What is the plan for Horse A and what about Horse B? Sometimes the answer is already there in black and white and that is certainly true of the Adam West-trained Live In The Moment in this festival opener.

A couple of weeks ago I previewed a five-furlong all-weather handicap at Chelmsford and before the race, West said regarding Live In The Moment: "It's been great to have a proper campaign with him. He's in this race to put him right for the £70,000 handicap at York on August 18."

It is a plan that makes sense from a form perspective. Live In The Moment is unbeaten at York, having won twice over five furlongs on the Knavesmire last season, and he ran a mighty race in defeat at Chelmsford on that seasonal reappearance just 15 days ago.

He was beaten only three-quarters of a length in third, recording a career-best Racing Post Rating of 99, and that is even more creditable if it was nothing more than a prep for this.

West has saddled 12 winners from 76 runners (16 per cent) who have travelled at least 200 miles from his Epsom yard and a £1 bet on each would have yielded a profit of £89.58. Live In The Moment has an outstanding chance of improving that already impressive record.

However, it is northern-based trainers who have dominated the race in recent years and the last four runnings have gone to Paul Midgley, John Quinn, Michael Dods and Eric Alston.

Dods scored with subsequent Group winner Dakota Gold in 2019 and Pendleton has not looked far off that class following a setback that saw him miss all of 2020. Dods also runs Jawwaal, while Midgley and Quinn are represented by Indian Sounds, Ostilio, Lord Riddiford and El Astronaute.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Can Buick make it three from three?

Roger Teal is hoping William Buick can continue his 100 per cent record on the improving Whenthedealinsdone when the pair team up for the third time at York.

Buick is two from two on the three-year-old after following up victory at Windsor in June with a Glorious Goodwood success three weeks ago, where he had the reopposing Twilight Calls three lengths behind in fourth.

"I hope it's three from three on Wednesday!" said Teal. "William gets on with him very well so we've got fingers crossed for another big run. It's a bit more difficult tomorrow don't get me wrong, but he's in good heart and deserves to take his chance."

Whentehdealinsdone: is unbeaten under William Buick (pictured)Credit: Edward Whitaker

Whenthedealinsdone has thrived since being gelded earlier this summer and Teal believes a 6lb rise since Goodwood may not be enough to stop him.

He added: "The gelding operation has made all the difference as he was too coltish for his own good before – we're very happy with him now. He won nicely at Goodwood and was pulling away at the end so the 6lb rise is fair enough."

What they say

Adam West, trainer of Live In The Moment
We're very excited and the run at Chelmsford should have him spot on. We've spent time looking after him this year and I think the horse has improved so hopefully this can catapult him into the next grade.

Ed Walker, trainer of Mountain Peak
He was back to his best when winning at Ascot, where they went a strong pace and Andrea Atzeni gave him a perfect come-from-behind ride. Andrea is on board again and though he's now on a career-high mark of 100, which will make life difficult, the horse seems in great form and will run his usual solid race.

Henry Candy, trainer of Twilight Calls
The ground will suit him a better than at Goodwood, it was too soft for him. It's a typical 22-runner lottery but he's going the right way. He's progressing physically and should be up at the sharp end.

Michael Dods, trainer of Pendleton and Jawwaal
Pendleton would be suited by a bit more rain and ease in the ground but he's run well at York before. Jawwaal's best form has been over five furlongs and this is the extended five, but he likes fast ground.

Antony Brittain, trainer of Mondammej
A 22-runner sprint at York is as tough a race as you'll get. He's a hold-up horse so things do need to fall right all the time. There's a big win in him and it'd be lovely for it to be tomorrow, but I'm no more than hopeful.

David O'Meara, trainer of Soul Seeker and Nomadic Empire
The six furlongs for Soul Seeker at Ripon on Saturday probably stretched him a little so we're going back over a shorter trip, but he seems grand. Nomadic Empire has run well at York already this season, likes good ground and is in good form.

Charlie Hills, trainer of May Sonic
He's improving all the time and rarely runs a bad race, we're hoping for more of the same. His best form is on the all-weather but I see no reason why he can't translate that back on turf.
Reporting by Sam Hendry

Wednesday's race previews:

2.25 York: 'We've always liked him from day one' – high hopes for Palmer juvenile in Acomb

3.00 York: is there a St Leger winner on show? Great Voltigeur insight and trainer quotes

3.35 York: can supersub Love turn the tables on Mishriff in the Juddmonte International?

3.35 York: the Juddmonte's the best race in Britain – but here is an outsider worth backing (Members' Club)

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