Possible Hunt Cup contender Gifted Ruler 'in good shape' for his return

Sunday: 5.05 York
Sky Bet Sunday Series Mile Handicap (Class 3) | 1m | 4yo+ 0-95 | ITV4/RTV

Hugo Palmer has made a bright start with many of the horses he has inherited from Tom Dascombe and Gifted Ruler is an intriguing runner in this ultra-competitive mile handicap.

Whether he is fully tuned up for the race is another question. There is every chance the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot is the main goal rather than the Sunday Series and Gifted Ruler is as short as 25-1 for that mid-season Royal Ascot prize.

However, Gifted Ruler would likely require a half-stone rise in the weights to guarantee a run at the royal meeting as last season's Hunt Cup winner Real World only just sneaked in at the foot of the weights off a mark of 94.

It is entirely possible this lightly raced type could win here without being fully tuned up en route to Royal Ascot, but it will be tough.

The last mile handicap for older horses over this course and distance came ten days ago and Lion Tower (third), La Trinidad (eighth) and Garden Oasis (13th) reoppose.

There was no tangible draw bias that day, and barring hard-luck stories the front-running Lion Tower should fare well again on his third run of the season.

Grant Tuer has done an excellent job with Lion Tower since acquiring the five-year-old from Mark Johnston 18 months ago and his two outings this season have been among his three best on Racing Post Ratings. He seems destined to plunder a lucrative prize this campaign.

The last word goes to course specialist La Trinidad, who is running at York for the twelfth time in his last 14 starts. Connections would have been delighted with his comeback run at his favourite stamping ground as he tends to progress from his first outing. He will be in the mix off the same rating.

Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Roger Fell, trainer of La Trinidad, Harswell Duke and Global Spirit
La Trinidad ran well for a long way on his comeback over course and distance and is entitled to come on for it although his draw in stall 15 is not the best. Harswell Duke is a bit of a machine on soft ground so we’re hoping for some rain for him. Global Spirit is no slouch and he goes there with an each-way chance.

David Barron, joint-trainer of On A Session
He goes there with an obvious chance, but with horses who finish second as often as he does it’s often the case that they’re in the handicapper's grip.

Lion Tower: trainer Grant Tuer is expecting a good runCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Grant Tuer, trainer of Lion Tower
He’s reasonably well drawn in stall eight and should be suited by the ground drying out a bit. He ran well for a long way there last time and we're expecting another good run.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Gifted Ruler
We’ve been on weather watch with him as we’ve had to take him out twice in the past ten days due to quick ground which he doesn’t want as he’s such a big horse. It’s his first time running for us and we're still learning about him but he goes there in good shape.

John Quinn, trainer of Empirestateofmind
He’s drawn a long way out in stall 16 but he’ll enjoy the ease in the ground and goes there with a chance.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Seasett
He was a bit disappointing last time but if he can defy his wide draw he could make the shake-up in a competitive race as you would expect for the prize-money.

Karl Burke, trainer of Eilean Dubh
He won well at Hamilton last time and we could be running him back a bit quick but he bounced out of that and should put up another good show. He won’t mind any ease in the ground as he won on heavy in France last year.

Heather Main, trainer of Mostawaa
He ran well in a similar class race at the track last season and goes there in good shape. Hopefully he can overcome his outside draw in stall 20.
Reporting by David Milnes

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