York 2:40 Result

This is a competitive 2m staying handicap but High Fibre stands out. His recent form reads 806/31 - the last two starts show a clear improvement with a win last time out, and the yard of James Owen (who also has Percy Shelley in here) knows exactly how to place these stayers. High Fibre carries a joint-highest OR of 84 but crucially is fitted with a visor today, suggesting the yard are pushing another button to find further improvement off a similar mark. He's proven at trip/staying distances and the form of his recent win reads well. Cieren Fallon takes the ride, a booking that suggests confidence. Percy Shelley (stablemate) is also in-form (22-462) but has had a slightly longer break (31 days) and his script looks more exposed at this L4 mark having already shown a few placed efforts without adding the scalp of a win recently - he's third in the pecking order for stable intent behind the visor-clad improver. Shadow Dance and Pinatique carry big weight at the top of the weights (143/142lbs) but Shadow Dance's form figures (7-6700) look out of sorts, and Pinatique is stepping into a wide draw (13) first outing for a while for a yard (Prescott) not primarily know for teeing up big-field stayers chases. The confirmed improver with a step forward in tactics (visor) and in-form figures make High Fibre the most solid combination of proven trip aptitude, recent scintillating form, and stable intent. Backing him as best bet in an admittedly messy staying handicap.