THE exact shape of the fields and the state of the ground are unknowns at the moment, which makes ante-post betting fraught with danger, but here are a list of handicappers who could reward support at York next week should the stars align for them.

One of the most important aspects of backing handicap winners is spotting which trainers are running into (and out of) form on the run-up to big meetings, and I’ll largely be concentrating on stables which have seen a recent upturn in fortunes or a sustained run of good form.