York Day One

Haven’t had much luck lately, struggling with the switch from jumps to flat. Keeping it small stakes and try to turn it around.

2:20

The first race is an open looking handicap even with a few runners. The Godolphin pair heading the market. Hamada gets plenty of weight from his stable companion and won last time out after a long lay off. There could be plenty more to come from him, whereas Banksea is not guaranteed to stay this trip. Clive Cox has his horses in good order and his Now Children also won first time out after a long absence making it three wins from four starts, he will be a danger. I’m going to give Crowned Eagle a chance, he ran in last years Derby when trained by John Gosden. Having been highly tried last year there must of been some hope he was useful. A winner last time of a Kempton handicap I’m hoping he can continue to show some of the form that entitled him to that entry to the biggest race last year. At 7/1 he could be a nice price if on top of his game.

2:55

An even trickier handicap up next, nineteen runners with Richard Fahey and Tim Easterby both having three entered. Any one of those could win and I wouldn’t be surprised the way they target these meetings. Frankie Dettori is an interesting jockey booking for Danzeno, having mixed it with the big boys in top class sprints he could be very well in if top of his game. His last few runs have been a little disappointing but could easily bounce back, at 7/1 he is a tempting price each way with 5 places available. I’m going for one of the Fahey horses in Gin InThe Inn, he is short enough at 6/1 but comes here in form having won a class 2 handicap last time. Foolaad has been in great form winning his last five, four on the all weather and then on turf last time. Most of his winning is over 5 furlongs but has won at 6 and 7 before. He is not passed over lightly.

3:30

The group 2 sprint over 6 furlongs and it’s very hard to oppose Harry Angel on his seasonal return. Top class last year in all the top sprints he should win this hopefully having trained on and stronger this year as a four year old. Only two places each way and I’m going to take him on with a small bet on Tasleet. He has lots of form to tie him in with the Favourite including finishing just behind and in front of him. If Harry Angel is not on top shape then Tasleet can take advantage and win this race like last year. Brando is a solid sprinter but I’m not sure he is quite in the same league as the other two. The only chance I see him having is race fitness having won the group 3 Abernant recently.

4:05
The group 3 Musidora looks an interesting and competitive like me up. Lubinka won her reappearance on the all weather last month, that should set her up nicely for this. That was a class 6 but she finished last year with a creditable sixth in the group 1 fillies mile. That form looks good with the winner Laurens going so close in the 1000 Guineas. Highgarden has been backed into favourite Tuesday evening, this will be the fastest ground she would of encountered but will definitely stay the trip having run over the distance previously. Give And Take finished in front of Highgarden at Sandown but is double the price, that could be valuable. He also finished second to Wild Illusion in a novice race and that horse finished fourth in the Guineas. For me not a race to have big stakes but at the prices I like Lubinka at 11/2 that form with Laurens is really strong and seems like good value.