York races tips: Mick Fitzgerald's Lucky 31 to get the job done on Friday

York 13.45 – Dark Jedi

We kick off with a 1m 4f handicap and the booking of Ryan Moore for Zabeel Champion should see him head the market. He was second at Goodwood and is proven on good and yielding ground. He could be short enough in the market though and I prefer Tim Easterby’s Dark Jedi.

He was fourth at Newcastle last time, but was very badly hampered and it definitely cost him a couple of lengths. Before that he was a really good fourth at this venue over 10f to Sinjaari. The step up in trip to 1m 4f should help his chances.

York 14:15 – Nayef Road

Nayef Road has chased the mighty Stradivarius home at Goodwood and Royal Ascot on his last two runs and has to be respected. The 2m trip looks tailor-made for him and he’s going to take a bit of pegging back as he likes to make the running. Enbihaar is the surprise package and I was down at the start at Goodwood and saw this filly up close. She is a big, strong, girl and adds some real spice to this contest.

So too does Dashing Willoughby who has won at Sandown and Newmarket this season already.

It’s a proper race but Nayef Road deserves to win a biggie and is my pick.

York 14:45 – Mohawk King

The Gimcrack Stakes is a prestigious race for the two-year-olds and a couple of these have met already this season. Minzaal was fourth to Mohawk King at Ascot first time up, but had a luckless run that day. He followed up with a comfy success next time.

Yazzaman is proving frustrating to follow. He had headgear on last time at Goodwood but was easily put in his place by Supremacy, where Lauded finished back in third. There’s little between them.

Yazaman is going to be suited by Tork’s demands, but one that will improve the most from its first run is Mohawk King. Richad Hannon’s two-year-olds normally come forward plenty for their first run and the yard had a good winner yesterday with Happy Romance.

York 15.15 – Battaash

Battash is the speed king and these horses are not able to beat him on his best day.

However, it does happen that horses have off days as we have seen with him in the past. I saw him being loaded in the stalls at Goodwood and he is definitely getting better with the loading process.

Art Power is a sprinter on the up and is versatile as can win over 5f and 6f. A’Ali is a little rocket, small but packs a punch. If Battash turns up and behaves they won’t beat him. If he gets upset, Art Power will take advantage.

York 15:45 – Naval Crown

These two-year-olds have little experience of the racetrack and you’re really trying to figure out who is progressing the most from their early runs. Naval Crown is beautifully bred and jockey William Buick was not overly hard on him on quick ground at Ascot when third, having finished third on soft ground at Newmarket on his debut. He gets the nod from me.

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