Horse Racing Tips: Paddy’s pundits’ ultimate York day 1 cheat sheet for ITV Racing

This fantastic four-day Festival starts with a 5f sprint. Pilgrim is chasing a hat-trick and won the Prince of Holyroodhouse Handicap last time at Royal Ascot and that form has been well franked by those further down the field since.

The form of SHAGRAAN’s Goodwood win has already been boosted by the third and a 5lb rise seems feasible, so he’s worth a chance to follow up.

Despite taking on older horses Pilgrim is one of the young pretenders on the block now. He took his form to another level with an easy win at Ascot.

Squealer (each-way) could give you a run for your money from stall 18 as a ‘saver’ with Paddy paying 6 places. Bold Optimist has been in very good form and looks best of those drawn low.

Pilgrim and Holkham Bay are up in the weights massively now, but there might still be a little bit more to come from SHAGRAAN (each-way) who was behind Pilgrim at Ascot recently, but gets 2lb here. He has since run well to score at Goodwood and is bang in form.

This looks a match on paper between Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter. Godolphin’s runner was a big ticket purchase at the sales and may just have the measure of the Irish challenger.

Costing over £2m at the sales, RULING COURT then marked himself down as a high-class prospect when making a successful debut at Sandown. His sights are quickly raised.

Destroyed the field at Sandown and steps up in company now. Visually impressive and posted a good time on the clock, Ruling Court could be a big mover in next year’s Derby market if he wins this.

I just prefer what Ruling Court did on debut at Sandown over The Lion In Winter. It looks a match but Ruling Court is among my best bets on the day.

It’s not hard to think RULING COURT will take all the beating for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He was very impressive at Sandown on debut and was hammered in the betting so connections knew they had something useful.

Just six declared with Aidan O’Brien’s runners making up half the field. Ballydoyle obviously want to ensure a strong gallop but King’s Gambit may be the surprise package to deny the Irish raiders.

KING’S GAMBIT confirmed the impression he made after winning the London Gold Cup when finishing runner-up in Group races both starts since against older horses. He can resume winning ways.

I expect Los Angeles to be doing his best work at the end of this 1m 4f trip. The Irish Derby winner can enhance his St Leger claims with victory now.

Los Angeles was always holding the opposition in the Irish Derby – always just doing enough. He’s my nap. King’s Gambit may get to him – but he’ll have to pass him.

On ratings King’s Gambit is right in the mix getting 5lb from LOS ANGELES, but I think the latter will grind this out with the run on the race near the front end. Aidan O’Brien has a pacemaker in here to make this a proper test of stamina.

There is no doubting City Of Troy’s ability but I think he’s a stayer and this 10f trip at York mightn’t play to his strengths. I prefer the chances of Ghostwriter (each-way) at the prices.

It’s the race of the summer where Epsom Derby winner CITY OF TROY, who wasn’t impressive in the Eclipse last time, can show just how good he is. French raider Calandagan can give him most to do.

Majoom posted an excellent effort 21 days ago and should hit the line strong over this 10f trip. City of Troy could be the superstar in the field but Maljoom (each-way) looks the play.

City Of Troy wasn’t impressive in the Coral Eclipse Stakes last time despite winning it. I’m not sure he’s an even-money shot to follow up though and I’ll take him on with Israr (each-way) who impressed me at Royal Ascot.

AMBIENTE FRIENDLY (each-way) looked like a classic non-stayer over 1m 4f in the Epsom and Irish Derbies, but can hit the frame at least over this 1m 2f trip. He may even spring a surprise.

Despite carrying plenty of weight now in this two-mile handicap, we don’t really know how good Samui is yet on the Flat as he’s very lightly-raced. I’m willing to take a chance that he’s still improving.

Gordon Elliott’s unexposed stayer SAMUI remains hard to side against despite taking a 13lb hike after spread-eagling his field at Killarney last time. Last year’s victor Forza Orta could emerge as the main danger now he has slipped to a lenient mark.

The handicapper has left Knightswood alone surprisingly, despite a good effort last time when unlucky in the run at Goodwood. He can take advantage on this more galloping track.

Tritonic (each-way) has been dropped a few lbs this season. He ran very poorly at Royal Ascot over 2m 4f  before improving at Goodwood. The return to this 2m trip now should suit him better.

KNIGHTSWOOD (each-way) was a real eye-catcher at Goodwood when behind the placed Great Bedwyn. This is his first time at York and has all the attributes to go well.

Star Of Lady M beat Rosy Affair on her last start at Newmarket but before that, Rosy Affair had beaten one of the market leaders now, Gutsy Girl. I’d sooner row in with Star Of Lady M (each-way) in this big-field handicap.

GOT TO LOVE A GREY proved there were still signs of life when runner-up at Goodwood just under three weeks ago and the one behind has won since.

Got To Love A Grey has run herself into decent form again and put up a smart performance over the very sharp 5 furlongs at Goodwood last time. The form was boosted with the third that day coming out and winning subsequently.

JUMBEAU might have a little each-way chance here for Tom Clover in a wide open sprint. The selection was a decent winner at Windsor earlier this term and wasn’t disgraced at Ascot.

Number is a long shot who’s really going to be suited to the track. He got beat a nose at Ascot last time and that’s an uphill finish which is not the case here at York.

CAYMAN TAI might be able to turn the tables on Goodwood conqueror Artagnan on these revised terms as the winner got first run that day – so no falling asleep on the job this time!

Peninsula Power (each-way) hasn’t set the world alight in three outings but his trainer Richard Fahey has gone on record suggesting that the assessor may have let him in very lightly for this big prize. He does sit a couple of lbs wrong in the long handicap, but it’s such a big prize that they have to take this opportunity.

INVITED is the eachway hope for Richard Hannon and David Egan. My hope has yet to win but has been strongly fancied. I suspect a strong pace will suit.