13:50 York – Where’s Jeff @ 8/1
We are going to stick with the best rider in this ladies contest – Miss Serena Brotherton – as she teams up with a ready winner last time out at Beverly. He’s going up in grade but looks reasonably well treated with just a 5lb hike in the ratings. He’s a straightforward ride who stays well and has the added bonus of being able to act with some cut in the ground. That cannot be said for the market leaders.
14:05 Sandown – Well Done Fox @ 4/1
Has some excellent course and distance form to his name last year, when winning the Dragon Listed Sprint. His reappearance behind a sprinting star in Calyx was a good starting point for the season at Ascot. Unfortunately, he got upset down at the starting stores at York last time and was withdrawn. Provided he’s on his best behaviour at the start, he looks the class act in the line-up and his main danger Street Parade is drawn on the outside wing.
14:25 York – Great Prospector @ 14/1
I’m going to give him one final roll of the dice. Put in a decent effort over this trip at Haydock last time on bottomless ground, he is well handicapped on his best form and most importantly, he is drawn ideally in stall number four. A low draw is a must from the 7 furlongs chute here and he has everything in his favour to finally get another win on the board since his debut effort.
14:40 Chester – Waldstern @ 5/1
Quickly made up into a smart colt last term winning on debut at headquarters, before finishing second to a really good type at Haydock (Kadar) and then a close-up fourth in Listed company back at Newmarket behind Norway. He makes a belated reappearance and suffered the cruelest cut of all in the off season so is no longer a colt. It should get him to focus and with his pedigree, he could be better than his 98 rating suggests.
15:00 York – Mekong @ 11/10
Has typically been brought along very patiently by his trainer Sir Michael Stoute, from an opening mark of 85 all the way to where he is now on a perch of 110. It was an excellent reappearance behind Dee ex Bee at Sandown, who is one of the leading contenders for next Thursday’s Ascot Gold Cup. Given natural improvement going into this second assignment he should comfortably account for Austrian school as he did do last time
15:15 Sandown – Sawwaah @ 6/1
Low-mileage improver from the Owen Burrows outfit who are starting to hit form. This lad was seen putting up a good effort on his reappearance when third at Newmarket and has been given plenty of time to get over that run and is now fitted with cheek-pieces. The handicapper didn’t move him for that last effort, which looks pretty lenient.
He has no problems with the softer conditions, so gets the vote.
15:35 York – Dave Dexter @ 14/1
Has not had much go right for him in two starts so far this season. He was drawn in the car park at Chester and last time out at Haydock and wasn’t favoured by the weights and didn’t get the clearest of passages either over the 5f trip. Now he’s back in a 6f handicap off a realistic mark, it should be all set up for him to get a perfect lead to the furlong marker off Dazzling Dan who is drawn next to him in stall seven.
*Prices correct at time of publishing
Scoot over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing odds