9th-Oct-2020

This is a typically competitive one-mile York handicap, but Ouzo has plenty in his favour and he looks over-priced.

Second in a one-mile handicap at Newmarket in June on his debut this season off a mark of 91, Richard Hannon’s horse ran better than his finishing position suggests in the Silver Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, keeping on well on the near side to finish eighth.

Gelded after that run, he returned at York’s Ebor meeting and ran a cracker to finish fifth in the Clipper Logistics Handicap.  He travelled into his race well out in the centre and, while he couldn’t go with Montatham and Sir Busker, he kept on well to finish fifth.

He proved that day that he could operate at York, he is 3lb lower today, and this is not as good a race.  Montatham finished second in a listed race next time and Sir Busker finished second in the Group 2 Celebration Mile.  He goes well on soft ground too, he won a handicap at Sandown last year on soft, and one mile is his trip.  He probably didn’t stay 10 furlongs at Newbury last time.

OUZO WON (ADV 9/1, SP 11/1)