York Charity Sprint Trophy 2013 Preview

The last big handicap before Royal Ascot is the Charity Sprint Trophy at York on Saturday. This is always a competitive race with twenty three-year-olds competing over six furlongs.

The bookmakers have opened up their market with Moviesta and Heavens Guest as 7-1 joint-favourites, illustrating just what a wide open race it is.  Heavens Guest is trained by Richard Fahey and won at Epsom’s Derby meeting. That marked a big step up from Hamilton Park but the handicapper has raised him another 7lbs for that victory.

Moviesta is a very progressive colt and won a shade comfortably over five furlongs at this track last time out, just holding the late challenge of Vincentti. The runner-up will appreciate the extra furlong but Moviesta gave the impression that he was always holding him.

Moviesta had previously won at Doncaster over six furlongs and trainer Brian Smart may have left a little to work on that day. He certainly looked an improved colt at the last meeting. He looks a good bet at 7-1 with Bet365.

There has been good ante-post support for Cosmic Chatter who runs in the colours of Highclere  Racing. He was close up behind Smoothtalkinrascal here last month and that horse went on to finish an unlucky second in the Epsom Dash. Cosmic Chatter is yet to race beyond five furlongs but the money in midweek suggests that a big run is expected.

Lucky Beggar has been consistent but was well beaten by Richard Hannon’s Professor at Haydock last weekend. Ralph Beckett’s Lewisham finally won his maiden on the all-weather at Kempton last time. He is a colt of considerable potential having finished second in the Group 2 July Stakes as a two-year-old. He should have the beating of Ahern and Chilworth Icon on that form.

Hasopop won a competitive sprint at Newmarket before finishing third at Epsom’s Derby meeting. That was over seven furlongs and he should again run well back at his optimum distance. William Haggas saddles  Odooj who made no show at Newmarket recently but has been equipped with blinkers for the first time.

Rivellino got no run at all behind Hasopop at Newmarket and is better judged on his fourth behind Moviesta at Doncaster. It could be argued that he was a shade unlucky not to be closer that day and the pair are closely handicapped.