1.50 York – Jm Jungle EW / Copper Knight EW
York sprint handicaps are notoriously tricky, so it’s worth keeping a couple on side. The first one for me is going to be Jm Jungle for John and Sean Quinn. He’s becoming very well handicapped, and he ran respectably enough at Glorious Goodwood to finish fifth earlier this month. Coming back to the Knavesmire won’t be a problem for the four-year-old gelding, as he finished a close third in this race last year off a 4lb higher mark. With conditions looking like they’ll be in his favour, he surely has to run well.
The other horse who has to be in the mix is Copper Knight for Tim Easterby. He’s become a stalwart in these kinds of races, winning at York eight times during his career. Though he’s getting on a bit, he’s shown on several occasions this season that he still retains his ability. The 10-year-old gelding likes to race up the pace, which is often the way to go at York, as it can be hard to come from far back. I think there could be another big day in him yet.
2.25 York – Jouncy EW
The top two at the market, Ruling Court and The Lion In Winter, could be anything, but this race has been a graveyard for favourites in the last decade. Therefore, I’m looking elsewhere, and I’ve landed on Jouncy for Andrew Balding. He won a race at Goodwood last time out; that didn’t look much at the time, but I think the form could work out well. So far in his career, he’s only raced over 6f, but if you look at his pedigree, he should be more effective over further. I think he is going to improve a lot for the step-up in trip, and I can see him surprising a few.
3.00 York – Illinois (Win)
This is a trappy race, but I am going to side with the Ballydoyle second-string, Illinois. He’s not been seen since winning the Queen’s Vase Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he was a class above his rivals despite running around in the final furlong. Connections identified this race straight away after he won and said he’d be an ideal horse for a St. Leger. I think the ground will key to him, and I think long term, he could be better than his stablemate Los Angeles. At the prices, I’m happy to side with the son of Galileo.
3.35 York – Alfaila EW
This race is arguably the best we’ve seen so far on the Flat this season. City Of Troy is the horse to beat, but I think this is a deep race, and there is plenty that could give him a scare or perhaps even take his scalp. The horse I’ve had ringed for this race all year is Alfaila for Owen Burrows. I think he should have already won Group 1 by now. In the Irish Champions Stakes last year and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, he was ridden too far back, given too much to do as those races favoured horses on the pace. This time I think it will be different at York. The five-year-old has run two cracking races here to win the Group 2 York Stakes, and he seems to love the track. I think he’s a huge player.
4.10 York – Spirit Mixer EW
Spirit Mixer has been a frustrating horse for connections, but I thought on his last two starts that there were glimmers suggesting he was coming into a bit of form. The last time we saw him, he ran well, making late headway to finish fourth in the Shergar Cup at Ascot over 2m. Furthermore, he’s slipped down to a really attractive mark of 85, and he is very well-handicapped on his old form. A lot of people will probably think he is one of the exposed ones in this race, but I think he should not be discounted, and I see him running a huge race.
4.45 York – Got To Love A Grey EW
Got To Love A Grey ran her best race of the year when she finished second at Glorious Goodwood earlier this month. She’s a filly that likes to be on the speed, and she’ll be happy returning to York as she won the Listed Marygate Stakes over this course and distance as a juvenile. The conditions should be fine, and she’s well treated with the three-year-old weight for age allowance. She’s my bet of the day.
5.20 York – Artagnan EW
I’m not being original by siding with Artagnan, but I thought his win at Glorious Goodwood was the best form in the race. I just liked the way he seemed to improve for the step up to 6f, and he wasn’t stopping at the line. If you look at his pedigree, you’ll see he’s a half-brother to Marshman, who was a Group performer as a juvenile, so he has some classy relations. The handicapper has raised him 6lb, but I don’t think that’ll be enough to stop him.