2.15 York – Shalaa Asker (Each Way)
I quite like the chances of Shalaa Asker here running a good race. The six-year-old gelding has got some good form over this course and distance, and he finished a decent third of a 1lb higher mark last year. I think dropping back down to 5f will suit him, and the first-time visor will hopefully make him focus. Apprentice jockey Sean Bowen is also a positive, as he’ll be able to take off a handy 5lb. With a lot of things in his favour, I can see him outrunning his odds.
2.45 York – Look Back Smiling (Each Way)
This horse is in the form of his life, and he was unlucky not to win the Thirsk Hunt Cup. I put him up that day, and he flew home to get second, and if the line had been in a couple of more strides, he would have won. The son of Fast Company is 2lb higher this time around, but I think he is still ahead of the handicapper. If they go hard, I can see him running well and picking up the pieces.
3.15 York – Bluestocking (Win)
I think this is the hardest race of the day. Free Wind is probably the classiest horse in the race, but she isn’t the most trustworthy. However, the horse I’m siding with, Bluestocking, also falls into that category.
She dined at the top table a lot last season, just falling short in the Irish Oaks and the Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. The last time we saw her, she wore cheekpieces, and connections have retained them again here. Moreover, Ralph Beckett’s team is starting to come into form now after a couple of quiet months, so I think she can go close on her seasonal return.
3.45 York – Ancient Wisdom (Win)
By process of elimination, I’ve ended up siding with Ancient Wisdom. I don’t think this is the greatest Dante we’ve ever seen, but the son of Dubawi, could be a proper Epsom contender.
Last season, he mixed it with some of the best juveniles in the UK, and he won the Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster, which normally produces good horses. On his pedigree, he is bred to appreciate this trip, and he looks like the one they’ve all got to beat.
4.15 York – Mon Na Slieve (Win)
Big Evs is definitely the classiest horse in the race based on his form from last season, but it’s not always the case that juveniles can recapture their form from their two-year-old campaign.
Therefore, I am going to take him with Mon Na Slieve. He won first time out at this track last season, and most of his best runs have come at York. If you look at his pedigree, he’s bred to improve with age, and Kevin Ryan’s stable has already struck on the Knavesmire this week. If Big Evs disappoints, then I think Mon Na Slieve can go close.
4.45 York – Andesite (Win)
All of these horses are making their racecourse debuts, but the one who makes the most appeal on pedigree is Andesit for Karl Burke. He is a half-brother to Dramatised, who won at Royal Ascot as a two-year-old for the same connections, and Clipper Logistics always likes to target their horses at this meeting. If the market vibes are strong, expect a bold showing.
5.20 York – London City (Win)
Again, this isn’t an easy puzzle to solve, but it’s interesting to see Aidan O’Brien running London City in a handicap. He won well the last time we saw him at Dundalk, asserting in the closing stages. His dam is the multiple Group 1 winner, Winter, who had a stellar season as a three-year-old, so it’s likely we’ve not seen the best of London City. His opening mark of 93 might seem a little stiff, but I think he could be better than that.
