Make My Day
Sky Bet Handicap (15:15 York, Wednesday)
Make My Day is bred to be smart – by Galileo out of an unraced sister to multiple Group 1 winner Midday – and he retains the potential to do much better after only four starts. He got off the mark in a mile-and-three-quarter maiden on his final start for John Gosden last season and made a successful return for Ralph Beckett, winning over a mile and a half at this course on his handicap debut.
He was suited by a strong pace placing the emphasis on stamina last time, and he stayed on stoutly to prevail by two and a quarter lengths in the style of a horse with more to offer. He should stay two miles and clearly has not reached the ceiling of his ability, so a 6 lb higher mark may not stop him following up.
Churchill Bay
Sky Bet Nursery Handicap (16:50 York, Wednesday)
Churchill Bay looked in need of the experience at Windsor on debut but he took a big step forward to finish runner-up in what looked a strong maiden at Ascot. Churchill Bay was much more clued-up than he had been on debut, showing speed and disputing the lead.
He was unable to fend off a newcomer trained by Richard Hannon, who has an incredible record in the race, but he saw off the rest in a race that should work well. An opening mark of 84 may underestimate his chance.
Top Rank
Clipper Logistics Stakes (14:45 York, Thursday)
Top Rank is extremely lightly-raced for a four-year-old but he has created a fantastic impression during his career, winning on all four starts. He made his reappearance at Thirsk last month and bolted up by four and a quarter lengths, taking apart a field of established handicappers, everything about his performance suggesting he is destined for a better grade.
He has gone up 12 lb for that easy success but he fully deserved such a hike, really impressing with how he cruised through the race at Thirsk. He is a smart prospect and has not reached the limit of his potential.
Favorite Moon
Sky Bet Melrose (14:25 York, Saturday)
William Haggas won the Melrose Handicap last season with Hamish and the trainer looks to hold strong claims again with the progressive Favorite Moon. Favorite Moon showed some promise without winning in three starts last season, but as a half-brother to smart stayer Fun Mac he was always likely to come into his own when stepping up in trip.
He made a promising reappearance when finishing runner-up over a mile and a half at Doncaster in June, not getting a clear run over a furlong out, and he took a big step forward when beating Subjectivist with the pair well clear in a good mile-and-three-quarter handicap at Haydock. Subjectivist has bolstered that form in no uncertain terms, winning a listed race and then finishing third in the Gordon Stakes, so the unexposed Favorite Moon still looks nicely treated off a 7 lb higher mark.
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