1.50 York – Time For Sandals EW
I want to take on the favourite Leovanni, as I’m not sure she’ll be as effective tackling 6f for the first time in her career. The horse I want to take her on with is Time For Sandals for Harry Eustace. She was last seen running over 5f in the Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury, where she flew home to finish third. Before that, she had won at Kempton over 6f on her racecourse debut, beating Jouncey, who franked the form at Goodwood. I think returning to this trip will bring out the best in her, and she follows the same path as last year’s winner, Relief Rally. For me, she’s a huge player.
2.25 York – An Outlaw’s Grace (Win)
These races are always hard to predict, but An Outlaw’s Grace makes a fair amount of appeal. His trainer Richard Hannon likes to target this particular race as he’s won it five times since 2016, so it appears this son of Dandy Man has been lined up for it. His form would also entitle him to have a strong chance, as he last campaigned in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, where he probably didn’t quite see out the 7f trip. This move back to 6f should suit, and the jockey booking of Ryan Moore is a major positive.
3.00 York – Metal Merchant EW
Cases can be made for plenty in this field, but Metal Merchant has run well in some very hot handicaps this season. I think the key to him is quick ground, and it looks like he’s going to get it here. The last time we saw him, he was an eye-catcher in the International Handicap at Ascot when he finished fourth running over 7f. I think the step up in trip back to the mile will really suit him, and the booking of James Doyle is also a positive as he’s got a 50% strike when riding for the stable this season.
3.35 York – Mistral Star EW
Mistral Star is a filly who is going places. If you go back two starts ago to the Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes at Haydock and watch the race replay, then you’ll see that she was unlucky and never got a clear passage, with the winner Queen Of The Pride getting the first run on her. After that run, the daughter of Frankel went on to win a Listed race very easily at Newmarket, pulling away from all her rivals. This will be a major step up, but I don’t think the fillies at the top of the market set a very high standard, and I could see her continuing her upward curve at double-figure price.
4.10 York – Fairy Glen EW
Three-year-old fillies have an excellent record in this race, and that’s where I am going with Fairy Glen. She rallied very well in the closing stages at Newmarket last month to finish third. The horses that fought out the finish in that race were always up on the front, so Fairy Glen did well to come from off the pace. I think that effort can be marked up, and I think coming to a track like York will suit her. For me, she represents a bit of value each way.
4.45 York – Seagolozo EW
Seagolozo won very easily when last seen at Chester to break his maiden tag, and he appeared to have plenty in the tank. He is going to be making his nursery debut here off a mark of 83, which I think looks fair. The son of Havana Grey has a good draw in Stall 7, and it looks like he’ll be ridden handy, which appears to be a good thing at York this week. Connections have also said they hold him in high regard, and I can see him going well.
5.20 York – Key To Cotai EW
Key To Cotai wasn’t given the best of rides last time out by Paul Mulrennan, who ran into traffic at Haydock. However, if you go back to the time before she finished second in a Listed race at Carlisle, behind Jabaara, who subsequently placed in Group 1 company on her next start. Therefore, this three-year-old surely has to be better than a handicapper. The ground should be fine, and the booking of William Buick is also very eye-catching. For me, she’s my strongest fancy on the card.