York Day Three

Day two was a bit of a shocker aside from Coronet winning quite impressively, we have days like that and it’s on to the next. Small stakes still the way forward for now.

2:20
A really tricky looking opening listed race for two year olds. 16 runners and with ten last time out winners. Seven runners have only raced and won once, the only one two from two is No Lippy who won the Lily Agnes last time. She is the definite starting place when looking for the winner, that was a very professional run last week. Nickis Angel was mentioned at the start of the meeting by Richard Fahey as one of the his he was really looking forward to. That in itself is a big hint considering how well some of the horses have run. He was 8/1 on the first day but is now into 9/2 indicating the confidence has only grown. Those two are quite short now so for a little value I’ll look at the Godolphin runner Strings Of Life. From the excellent Charlie Appleby yard, he will know exactly where he is at with his two year olds and she was an eye catching winner on debut. Odds of 6/1 look reasonable with four places available for each way betting.

2:55
Threading heads the market but has some questions to answer. She won her maiden first time out and then followed that up by winning the Lowther here at York. She then finished down the field in her last two races, the Cheveley Park at the end of last year, then in her reappearance in the Nell Gwyn. If she is back to her best she would be hard to beat but that’s a question she has to answer now. Sheikha Reika stepped on her two year old form to win first time out this year and has the possibility of serious progress this year. They are both quite short prices so will look elsewhere for some value. I think Dance Diva and Juliet Foxtot may struggle so that leaves Simon Crisford’s Dark Rose Angel. This nicely bred filly had some good two year old form, notably her second to 1000 Guineas runner up Laurens in the May Hill. At 6/1 she is a nice price to take a small punt on.

3:30
Max Dynamite is classy individual and has run in plenty of top class races, Willie Mullins has no problem getting some of his stable primed for top staying races on the flat. However he is now eight years old and there will probably be a younger rival that will improve past his quality. Count Octave could run well at a nice price, his form is pretty solid finishing third to Defoe in a group 2 after winning on the all weather first time out this year. He also ran in the St Ledger last year and that race looks quite strong with the likes of Rekindling and Coronet finishing in front of him. Third in that race though was Stradivarius and I can’t see him turning that for around. Desert Skyline was solid last year but is just short of top class and may struggle to win this, but will run his race. I really can’t see beyond Stradivarius although he is no bet at 11/10. The son of Sea The Stars was third to Order Of St George on Champions Day at the end of last seqson and before that was a half length second in the St Ledger. He should only improve and strengthen up this year as a four year old.

4:05
Tricky handicap without much of a fancy in this. Valcartier and Thundering Blue head the betting and look dangerous, at a slightly bigger price I like Capton at 15/2. He ran really well and consistently last year and Henry Candy has Ryan Moore books to ride. Small bet only in this one.