Trainer quotes for some of the leading contenders in the big mile handicap

Paddy Power Hambleton Handicap | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The Thirsk Hunt Cup last month is a crucial formline when attempting to crack this handicap as one third of the 15-runner field reoppose at York.

Redarna (won), Lion Tower (fifth), Cruyff Turn (seventh) and Snash (eighth) are back for more and only two and a quarter legths separated the four at Thirsk.

As is so often the case in big-field handicaps, there were hard luck stories and Redarna hampered Snash when making his winning challenge.

Snash has opened up at a massive price and was a high-class juvenile for Charlie Hills, finishing seventh to Master Of The Seas in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket in 2020.

Five of the six horses ahead of Snash that day are rated in the 100s now, and this four-year-old has only raced five times since. His two runs for Tim Easterby this season have been encouraging and his RPRs have been rising despite his official mark dropping.

It would be remiss not to mention Brunch, the class horse in the race. He appears to be caught slightly in no man’s land off his 104 rating but he was only beaten a neck in this off 3lb lower last season.

Brunch: may struggle to concede weight to some well-handicapped rivalsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Brunch is up to operating in Group company, as he proved behind Master Of The Seas at Newmarket last month, but conceding weight to several well-handicapped types may prove beyond this consistent performer.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Nigel Tinkler, trainer of Isla Kai
He usually makes the running but he’s drawn 15 so we’ll have to see how it pans out. He doesn’t have to lead and the important thing is not to break his stride and let him get into a rhythm. He’s a good horse and we’re looking forward to it.

Dianne Sayer, trainer of Redarna
I hope he wasn’t flattered by his win at Thirsk last time where he was so badly drawn I nearly didn’t go. He likes to be up with the pace on the rail so we had to drop in that day and ride him differently but Paul Mulrennan gave him a master ride coming down the straight. We're going there hopeful.

Roger Fell, trainer of La Trinidad
It’s his first run of the season and generally our horses improve for it. I expect him to run a nice race but I think his best trip could be nine furlongs later on.

Grant Tuer, trainer of Lion Tower
He ran very well to be fifth on his return at Thirsk and has come on for that. He’s well drawn in stall two which he can go forward from and the trip and ground are very much in his favour.

Terry Kent, trainer of Ataser
We think a lot of him and he’s improved at home since his comeback at the Craven meeting.

Tim Palin, spokesman for Middleham Park Racing, owners of Lightening Company
He’s one of the least exposed horses in the race and just sneaks in at the bottom. The form of his win at Redcar could not have worked out any better and he would have a strong each-way chance but he wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much.
Reporting by David Milnes

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