York Ebor Meeting 2016: Ebor Handicap runner-by-runner

1. Elidor (Mick Channon) Posted a career-best when winning 1¾m handicap at Goodwood last time, all out. Penalty demands more, but was third under this rider in this in 2014.

2. Battersea (Roger Varian) In good form at Meydan earlier this year and ran as well as could be expected when fourth to Big Orange in Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket on first start back. Headgear reached for now.

3. Kinema (Ralph Beckett) Improved again this year, following up handicap win at Goodwood (1¾m) when surviving stewards' inquiry in Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot. Found 2m in Goodwood Cup too much in refitted headgear.

4. Vent de Force (Hughie Morrison) 2014 Melrose winner who took 2m Sandown Group 3 last season and probably in need of the run in listed race there last month having been gelded. Interesting contender who is unbeaten in handicaps.

5. Antiquarium (Charlie Appleby) Had plenty of racing in first season (close fifth in Melrose Handicap over C&D) and built on return stepped up to 2m when winning Northumberland Plate at Newcastle from Seamour. Has to be respected.

6. Tawdeea (David O'Meara) Has come a long way for new yard this year, winning Hamilton maiden and handicaps at Newcastle and Haydock (Old Newton Cup, 1½m). Not seen to best effect both starts since and remains with potential.

7. The Twisler (Jane Chapple-Hyam) Dual winner over this trip last year (listed race second occasion) but rare go back in a handicap now having struggled in Group races this season. Yard had 100/1 winner of this in 2006.

8. Oriental Fox (Mark Johnston) Easy winner of 2015 Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot and just failed to land a gamble in Cesarewitch later in the year. Efforts in 2016 have been respectable at best, however.

9. Ivan Grozny - NR

10. Oceanographer (Charlie Appleby) Back on track when winning 1¼m handicap at Doncaster last month, albeit looking quirky in the process. Now tries 1¾m and others probably safer.

11. Seismos (Marco Botti) Geoffrey Freer winner at Newbury in 2014. Still retains some ability and had lots to do in the Northumberland Plate behind Antiquarium.

12. Heartbreak City (Tony Martin) Winner of 2m handicap at this meeting last year and firmly back on track over hurdles of late, scoring at Galway last time. Irish raider with good apprentice up and one to consider after rain has fallen.

13. Seamour (Brian Ellison) Looked the winner for much of the closing stages when touched off by Antiquarium in the Northumberland Plate and best judged on that effort having run a flat race in a C&D listed event since.

14. Quick Jack (Tony Martin) Big handicap regular on the Flat and over jumps, sixth in Chester Cup and eighth in Galway Hurdle the last twice. 5/1 for this race last year after winning the Galway Hurdle but down the field.

15. Fun Mac (Hughie Morrison) Salisbury handicap winner over this trip early last year but little impact this time around, never involved in Goodwood handicap behind Elidor off this mark last month. Hard to fancy.

16. Ballynanty (Andrew Balding) Progressive performer on the AW at up to 2m. Well held after 3 months off back on turf at Sandown, though for a long way promised a fair bit more, and could build on that.

17. She Is No Lady (Ralph Beckett) Progressing steadily, making a winning AW debut at Chelmsford (1¾m) in June and then a short-head second in listed race at Sandown upped to 2m. Couldn't rule out, especially if some rain arrives.

18. Shrewd (Iain Jardine) Progressing well in both codes and hammered home the point when readily winning C&D handicap in June. Never landed a blow under patient ride back here since and dangerous to dismiss under claimer.

19. Top Tug (Alan King) Quickened impressively to make a winning yard debut at Lingfield in April. Not disgraced since and bred to stay this longer trip.

20. Sir Chauvelin (Jim Goldie) Won at Hamilton first 2 starts this year and not disgraced in C&D listed race last time. Work to do back in a handicap off current mark, though.

21. Havana Beat (Rod Millman) Has won just once (4-runner 2m listed race at Sandown in 2014) since 2012 but has caught the eye for this yard this term, including once more in 2m handicap here on Wednesday. Visor back on.

Timeform Ebor Handicap 1-2-3
1. Heartbreak City
2. Vent de Force
3. Antiquarium

Timeform Analyst's Verdict:
Bearing in mind the forecast downpour, HEARTBREAK CITY's facile reappearance success on bottomless ground looks all the more significant and, despite a poor showing in the Chester Cup, he's taken to get back on the up in ideal conditions here. 2014 Melrose winner Vent de Force also looks interesting, while Northumberland Plate winner Antiquarium is a big player if handling the testing going.

Click here for the latest Ebor Handicap 2016 betting