Irv won twice last season, both times at York, over a mile, the later time from a mark of 78.He made his seasonal debut, this year, at Thirsk, when finishing a very creditable second, and then at York last month, although finishing last of the nine in very hot company, was only beaten six and three quarter lengths, from a mark of 85.It has long been thought that a step up in trip would bring further improvement, and this will be his first attempt at an extended one mile and two furlongs.This race looks at least as competitive as his last visit to York, but he can race off a 3lb lower mark, Hollie Doyle who rode him last time retains the ride.
Good luck to the connections, Irvine Lynch. IRV 25 February 2016. Zoffany-Marion Antoinette Owner-Irvine Lynch.
Irv was purchased at the 2018 Doncaster Breeze Up sales, and made his debut under Paul Mulrennan at Thirsk in July, being considerately ridden, he finished ninth of 14, beaten only six lengths.He then went to Beverley, where he never gave himself a chance by pulling far too hard over the extended seven furlongs. It was back to Thirsk, finishing a respectable fourth in a novice stakes, followed by his handicap debut at Redcar, off 73 where he was a staying on second, over seven furlongs.
He showed us as a three year old that he had trained on with a staying on fifth at Ripon, over a mile, and then an eye catching ninth of 19, over an inadequate seven at York. Dropped back in to novice company over a mile at Thirsk next time, he once again was doing his best work at the finish, when runner up to the 1/6 shot Davydenko, trained by Sir Michael Stoute. This was followed by the two wins at York both over a mile, with his now regular pilot James Sullivan.