12:25 La Trinidad
A host of unexposed 3yos on show and Hartswood, End Zone and Entrancing all need monitoring for market confidence now handicapping. Abstemious looks set to go well back at 7f but LA TRINIDAD has clearly been let into handicaps too lightly and he may be up to defying the assessor’s latest 12lb impost.
12:55 Fox Vardy (NAP)
This is undoubtedly stronger than the Newmarket race FOX VARDY (nap) won on his reappearance 13 days ago but he had any amount in hand and even a 9lb rise doesn’t look enough to stop him if showing up in similar form. Sootability is building up a solid record in handicaps and should give another good account. Dark Lochnagar and Sandret should be sharper for reappearance runs in the same race at Ayr and they also merit respect.
13:30 Cape Cavalli
Ritchie Valens may have more to come for Tom Clover and is respected, while Mordred arrives on the back of three really good runs last month, but CAPE CAVALLI has a good record over this trip and is taken to build on a solid reappearance run at Newcastle with the Simon & Ed Crisford team among the winners.
14:05 Sardina Sunset
Most of these fillies are still unexposed but SARDINIA SUNSET looks the one to beat, having gone well in the Queen Mary last time. Second choice is Miss Nay Never, who could be a major improver dropped to 5f on only her second start. There are several plausible candidates for third choice, with Different Face narrowly preferred.
14:40 Ricetta
It’s hard to ignore the support for RICETTA who was short in the betting for an 89-rated filly even before her stablemate Franconia was taken out. This beautifully bred filly has not been aiming high this year but she was a lot more impressive than the narrow winning margin suggests on the Rowley course last time and is ready for a step up in class.
Pocket Square has major claims on her 2yo form but a lot can happen between two and three and she now has to prove herself all over again. Dirt winner Dubai Love is perfectly at home on turf and can also give a solid display while Baarrij and Lake Lucerne are interesting runners who should have good days ahead of them.
15:15 Highest Ground
It’s odd to see the Dante held after the Derby but it makes this year’s race no less interesting. HIGHEST GROUND is the most exciting colt in the line-up and he can build on the abundant promise that he’s shown at novice level. Cormorant is second choice, ahead of Thunderous.
15:45 Ghaly
The top four on the card are 4yos who look much less exposed than their older rivals. Preference is for GHALY and he’ll be all the more interesting if the market speaks favourably on his seasonal debut. Second choice is Rhythmic Intent, ahead of Repaupo and Desert Caravan.
16:20 Muker
Some interesting newcomers, notably Cedric Morris and Nomadic Empire, but they’ll need to be good to lower the colours of MUKER if he’s in anything like the same form as when third in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot. Phillip Makin’s charge travelled best for a long way on that occasion so there was no fluke about that prominent showing and he should take some pegging back with his sights lowered. John Gosden’s For Peat’s Sake is open to progress on the back of his Yarmouth debut and is also likely to be in the shake-up.
16:50 Solo Saxophone
Most of these have some sort of question to answer so there’s every chance SOLO SAXOPHONE, who has thrived back on the Flat for his new yard in recent weeks, will be able to defy the handicapper and complete a hat-trick. Young Merlin has gone up 4lb for his Sandown reappearance second but has a much more solid recent record than most of these and can provide the chief threat ahead of Always Resolute, who has a C&D win to his name and should strip fitter for his reappearance.
17:20 Game Player
Brian Epstein wasn’t seen to be best effect at Royal Ascot and remains one to keep in mind for a race like this but the suggestion is the returning GAME PLAYER who didn’t enjoy the rub of the green when stepped up to 1m on his final two outings last year and leaves the impression he has a bigger performance in him over this trip. Firmament’s excellent course record puts him on the shortlist, while Muraad is also respected on the back of his good reappearance second at Sandown.
The Racing Post’s tips for York today
12:25 La Trinidad
12:55 Fox Vardy (NAP)
13:30 Cape Cavalli
14:05 Sardinia Sunset
14:40 Ricetta
15:15 Highest Ground
15:45 Ghaly
16:20 Muker
16:50 Solo Saxophone
17:20 Game Player
Essential reading for Thursday’s racing
- Jason Weaver’s Top ITV Racing Tips At Newmarket And York On Thursday
- Mick Fitzgerald’s Lucky 15 To Set The Scene For Newmarket & York On Thursday
- Ruby Walsh: I Don’t Think There’s Any Horse Who Can Give Love 9lbs – Not Even Enable
- 5 To Follow At Newmarket & York On ITV From Timeform
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