YORK 15:40

All 17 ran.

Time: 1m 10.79s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.85s (98.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 123%, Betfair SP 100%

A typically competitive renewal of this long-established 3-y-o sprint handicap, albeit one lacking in the quality it has traditionally attracted, rare for the top weight to have a BHA mark of below 100, some that might have turned up here perhaps having their head turned by the 3-y-o 5f handicap at Royal Ascot next week, while its proximity to the Commonwealth Cup is perhaps also a factor; the pace was sound, First Folio building on his effort in a similar race at Newmarket to turn around the form with the fourth; this should prove good form even if some of the fancied ones didn't give their running, Dark Shift shaping much better than the result and Blind Beggar unlucky not to finish a bit closer having met interference.

FIRST FOLIO hadn't been seen to best effect at Newmarket and quickly got back on the up in a race that panned out much better; mid-division, smooth headway 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, edged right, driven out; he's some success story for a trainer whose career is still in its infancy, 2 from 3 this year having been picked up as a maiden in France in the autumn.

BLACKROD was fitter for his reappearance and got back on the up to show his effectiveness under firmer conditions; held up, pushed along over 2f out, forced to switch over 1f out, ran on late; he's out of a miler and will stay a bit further than this if asked.

EY UP IT'S MAGGIE had plenty more on her plate than at Carlisle, up 9 lb and back among her own age group, and acquitted herself very well, seeing out the trip but again showing her speed; disputed lead, went on over 2f out, headed 1f out, stuck to task.

JADWAL had been hiked 7 lb for his Newmarket run and again ran well to make the frame in another top 3-y-o sprint handicap, perhaps not picking up off the bridle to the extent that looked likely at one stage, but he's not one to be crabbing; chased leaders, travelled strongly, pushed along under 2f out, edged left, one paced; both his effort and that of the winner pay a further compliment to Commonwealth Cup-bound Jumby.

SHOWALONG back up in trip, again ran well, just seeming to find a 7 lb higher mark in a deeper race than at Chester anchoring him; chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, kept on; there will be other days for him.

BLIND BEGGAR (IRE) looks well treated given the form he'd shown in maidens on his previous 2 starts and has to be given another chance, certainly better than he could show here; mid-field, effort when met some trouble 2f out, short of room again 1f out, kept on; he's eligible for weaker races and shouldn't be long in adding to his Catterick win.

BICKERSTAFFE has come up short in a couple of big-field events now but shaped as if back in form having done best of those that raced more towards the near side; chased leaders, travelled well, pushed along over 2f out, hung left, plugged on.

DARK SHIFT was strong in the betting for his handicap debut and shaped much better than the bare result, his race pretty much over from the start, but catching the eye with the ground he made up and the number of horses he ran past; slowly into stride, raced well off the pace, progress over 2f out, late headway, had a hopeless task from position; he looks well handicapped on his novice form, especially his defeat of Twilight Calls first time out, and remains very much one to be interested in.

SKYRUNNER (IRE) seemed to be found wanting for experience for a race like this on handicap debut, never looking like getting involved; in rear, soon off bridle, switched 2f out, one paced; it's still early days, and he's not one to give up on.

BARNEY'S BAY had been behind the winner and fourth at Newmarket last time and again ran below form; chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, left behind over 1f out.

FIGHTER PILOT (IRE) made little appeal in a race like this and again ran below form; prominent, pushed along over 2f out, edged left, weakened 1f out.

AIKIDO (IRE) back on turf, was easy to back with the 5-lb claimer due to ride him unable to travel over from Ireland and he was well held making his handicap debut; disputed lead, ridden over 2f out, carried head awkwardly, weakened over 1f out; he has an ungainly way of going about things and it's hard to believe his temperament isn't going to hold him back.

INTERNATIONALDREAM (IRE) again ran below form; mid-field, ridden soon after halfway, weakened 2f out; his Pontefract third hasn't worked out so well as it could have.

GENERAL SAGO (IRE) is better judged on previous form, biting off a bit more than he could chew in a race like this; mid-field, took strong hold, ridden before halfway, weakened over 2f out.

UNCLE JUMBO in first-time cheekpieces, looked a hard ride and ran poorly; never travelling well, carried head awkwardly, always behind.

SEVEN BROTHERS (IRE) was just below form this time; in rear, pushed along before halfway, made no impression.

BEN MACDUI (IRE) back up in trip, was too free, but the hunch is that we've already seen the best of him; close up, took strong hold, weakened over 2f out; best at 5f.