York Tip: Syphax

A winner of both starts last season, including the Acomb at this very meeting, I thought Syphax was going to turn into a smart horse in 2017 unfortunately things haven’t gone to plan.

A fair second on his seasonal bow behind Forest Ranger at Newcastle, his performances got steadily worse and it’s hard not assume he was affected by the outbreak of herpes at Kevin Ryan’s yard. The stable could barely buy a winner in the early part of the season and the yard was shut down by the BHA.

Thankfully the virus has passed and Kevin Ryan is banging in the winners again, 17 of them in August at a 24% strike-rate. Syphax’s poor runs are easily excusable but a by-product is he finds himself in a handicap off a mark of 100. Based on his 2016 form, he is a lot better than that.