Horse Racing tips: Matt Chapman's Wednesday ITV Racing picks

Matt Chapman’s Horse Racing Tips

13:50 – Manila Scouse
14:25 – Cogitate
15:00 – Gregory
15:35 – Paddington
16:10 – Aztec Empire (each-way)

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

13:50 – Manila Scouse

ITV’s York coverage gets under way here with a handicap over an extended five furlongs. MANILA SCOUSE is much improved of late and while a mark of 86 could be a step too far I’ll take a chance on the Tim Easterby runner under David Allan. The lightly raced sprinter’s two recent wins have come with give in the ground, but he has a good fourth at Pontefract to his name and a second on this track on good so I don’t think conditions are key to the improved efforts. He’s just getting everything together and has a great racing weight to carry of 8st 7lb. Easterby has won this twice with Hamish McGonagall and Copper Knight.

14:25 – Cogitate

Up in class now for the Group 3 Acomb for youngsters over seven furlongs. COGITATE looked good on debut and while it’s crazy to be adamant with lightly raced juveniles he might well be up to this for William Buick and Charlie Hills. The son of Churchill hacked up at Newbury on debut and while the form has not been boosted much by those closest to him he could do no more than win easily and that despite swerving at the start. Hills has taken this with a couple of decent types in Dutch Connection and Phoenix of Spain who went on to land an Irish 2000 Guineas.

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15:00 – Gregory

Now a Group 2 in the Great Voltigeur, often seen as a St Leger trial over a mile and a half. A disappointing turnout and I’m happy to stick with Queen’s Vase winner GREGORY for John & Thady Gosden and Frankie Dettori. The son of Golden Horn is unbeaten in three starts and kept on well at the Royal meeting. Clearly he stays strongly and going conditions should not worry him.

15:35 – Paddington

One of the biggest races of the season in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes over an extended mile and a quarter. It’s pretty desperate there are only four runners and it’s hard not to think PADDINGTON won’t simply go to the front and make all the running under Ryan Moore for Aidan O’Brien. The other three runners are not natural pacesetters and Paddington proved at Goodwood being in front is no problem. Obviously this is a longer trip and he came from off the pace in the Eclipse – but if connections really believe he’s an Arc hope the mile and a quarter on the front end at this track should hold no fears.

16:10 – Aztec Empire (each-way)

A handicap over an extended two miles. AZTEC EMPIRE might have been crying out for some decent ground and got it at Newbury last time when a fine third behind Sweet William. Andrew Balding’s runner kept on well that day so the trip is no issue and Oisin Murphy is up this time. Stall 6 is ideal and it’s fair to expect there still to be more to come so a fine each-way chance.

So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?