Channel 4 Racing Tips and Indepth Preview
It’s been a great Ebor meeting at York and it signs off in style with the race after which the meeting is named. That and some quality racing from Sandown gives armchair racegoers a great days entertainment. Let’s add to that with a few runners that get you a good shout in.
2:15 York – Strensall Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 1m208y
This race kicks us off in grand style with some solid horses for the grade. Scottish ran very well when we tipped him up 2 back and hasn’t got anything like the class of Royal Artillery to take on today, the admirable Gabrial was a little further behind him in that race but he will improve for a furlong less and bring them closer together. They might both have to give best to Educate who looked better than ever when winning his latest race but he too might find the power and younger legs of Diploma too much to handle. The Queen and Sir Michael have brought this one along steadily and we think there is every chance the 3yo will triumph after just the one blip on an otherwise fine record
2 units e/w Diploma
2:30 Sandown – Redrock Entertainment Atalanta Fillies´ Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 1m14y
If our tip in the previous race wins then you will have to look at the unbeaten Persuasive as a certainty as he disposed of Diploma before taking a 66 day break, This break being the only thing that tempers our enthusiasm. Pirouette has found one too good twice recently whist running career best’s and deserves a chance and Chris Wall’s Mix and Mingle might be the best he has trained, certainly he hasn’t been scared off making a big entry or two with this filly and this might be more her level. Red Box looked a filly going places at Ascot and then didn’t perform to the same level but that happens with fillies. We think we have the form line on this one.
1 unit e/w Persuasive | 1 unit e/w Mix and Mingle
2:50 York – Melrose Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m6f
This quality staying race for 3yo is always a good betting event and the 2016 entries are strong. Goodwood may well hold the key with Shraaoh for the Stoute team and Jaameh re-opposing the former was 2nd at Goodwood and Mark Johnstons horse was 4th in that race which looked like a good indicator. Forth Bridge is only embarking on his 4th start for Michael Bell after a good victory last time out and we don’t want to be underestimating the Jed O’Keefe horse, Injam who was very impressive when winning at Haydock by an impressive 6 lengths. He might just be a bit of value in this field where strength and stamina are needed.
1 unit e/w Injam | 2 units e/w Shraaoh
3:05 Sandown – TCA Abu Dhabi Solario Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 7f16y
Repton brings the best form to the table but the fear is he just isn’t strong enough to win an uphill finish, 7f. Charlie Applebys, Van Der Decken is respected after two strong 6f efforts but his pedigree suggests 7f is right at the end of his limits as well. Seniority shaped like a good horse winning over 7f at Newmarket for William Haggas, who is banging in the winners currently after a slow start but the one we want to focus on his Andre Balding’s South Seas. He has a good draw, a trainer in form and great jockey and a pedigree that suggests this trip is perfect.
1 unit e/w South Seas
3:25 York – Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) Cl1 6f
The key to this race is a horse who isn’t running in it – Mehmas. He has beaten a number of the top fancies in this race and what we have to do is line them up and see who can out run that form. Blue Point and Intelligence Cross are two such horses and on that form line we would put the Godolphin horse in front of the O’Brien one. Mubtasim is two from two and gives trainer Haggas another fine chance of success to make it 4 wins in this big race. Kevin Ryan, who has won this race twice saddles Dream of Dreams who on the surface of it looks to have it to do but he has hit form at the right time and will have targeted this race for his colt. It’s not an easy one, with one favourite in the last 10 years having been successful but confidence is important in racing and Mubtasim is the boy at the moment. Can he make it three from three – we think so.
2 units e/w Mubtassim
3:40 Sandown – National Feed & Flour Production Handicap Cl2 1m2f7y
This “nattily” named handicap brings together some quality middle distances horse, none more so than the admirable Fire Fighting who just seems to thrive on his racing. He is only 5 and has already run 62 times and won 11 of them for an 18% strike rate – amazing. Surely this time he has too much weight – doesn’t he? Scrutinise is attractively weighted after a strong performance to finish second to an Ebor runner with big chances today. Muffri’Ha has ability and could sneak up on our blind side and both Oasis Fantasy and Bermondsey have won races in this mould before and their turn will come this year if it isn’t today. We want to be with Ed Dunlop in this race.
1 unit e/w Scrutinise
4:00 York – Ebor (Heritage Handicap) Cl2 1m6f
We think you need real staying pace to win this race and if you look through previous winners very few have gone on to staying championships over further than this. If we are right then we can put a line through quite a few who need 2miles and further to be at their best. That may not apply to the unexposed She is No Lady who has won over 12f, 14f and 2 miles and seems un bothered by all trips. Drawn in 5 she is ideally placed . Similarly unexposed with a mirrored career at this stage is Oceanographer who was a good winner over 10.5 f at Doncaster and looks to have a touch of class about him and the ability to stay. Antiquarium comes in to the equation as well as it was his tactical speed that got him home at Newcastle. If there is going to be a surprise it could be another jumps trainer, Alan King ,who provides it with Top Tug. He should have been a lot better on the flat than he showed for Sir Michael and now a jumping career beckons but he has ability and recent efforts suggest he might like this trip and the big field at a big price. He is also at the right end of the handicap and has a good draw.
1 unit e/w She is No Lady | 1 unit e/w Top Tug
