Yesterday’s Review

2.5pts win Arapaho Gold (112) – The selection looked a very solid favourite beforehand and so it proved as he improved once again on the clock and looks a very exciting prospect considering how versatile he is with regards to ground and style of racing. He raced with cover this time, and took the gap once it opened, before quickening away from his rivals when asked inside the final furlong. The Mill Reef Stakes was mentioned next and 7f looks within reach as well. A very exciting prospect for connections and it was a nice tonic after plenty of hard luck stories this week. Result 1st 11/4 adv…2/1 SP.

 

0.75pt win Mussab (101) – The selection raced in rear and looked to be coming with a half decent challenge over a furlong from home but weakened quickly out of it. He does have that upright racing style that can be difficult to get the best out of.

 

Today’s Advice

ARCHIVIST (8f 177y Gp3) – The (1.50) York Strensall Stakes sees a few recently disappointing types attempt to get back on track in this lower grade. None moreso than the favourite Damysus who looked an exciting type over the straight 9f at Newmarket on seasonal debut when bolting up in a similar race from King’s Gambit. The wheels have come off the bus the last three races and connections are now reaching for cheekpieces. He has not been finding as much as he promises in his latest starts and as he has been put in as favourite I will be looking for an alternative.

The pace angle looks to concern Naqeeb, Point Lynas and Hankelow. The last mentioned is returning from an 83 day break having disappointed in the Qatar Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly. Previously he had been given a soft lead in the French Guineas and he is another one with question marks going into this contest. Geryon and Persica look solid having both won at this level in the past, but I decided to go with the selection who has the better course form of the three. New connections have found the key to him with the application of the hood and although he won from the front at Meydan over the mile under Pat Dobbs, it was his performance last time out from a wide draw in the Coral Golden Mile at Goodwood that impressed. It was a career best (113) timefigure under top-weight from the four-year-old, and having raced in midfield he made good headway over two furlongs from home before quickening away from his rivals in the finish for a length and a quarter victory. The step up in class is warranted and Callum Rodriguez keeps the ride which also helps. I will be hoping they go quick enough up front for him and his pilot can find a nice position tracking the pace before showing that turn of foot that he has at the business end of his races. The extra 177 yards should prove no problem on breeding, and it will all be about getting the selection to relax in behind the pace before showing his wellbeing at the finish.

 

INFRAAD (13f 188y) – This improving three-year-old showed that his handicap mark was on the low side when winning for this blog last time out over the 12f at Goodwood. Tom Marquand’s mount and Hatteen engaged in a battle all the way to the line with a long looking 4 lengths back to the third. The handicapper could only put him up 7lb for that win, and he could still be well handicapped for today’s (2.25) York. He has already shown when clocking a (117) timefigure at Pontefract over 10f that he looks to be a bit better than a handicapper. The step up to 13.8f is an unknown, but he certainly wasn’t stopping up the hill at Goodwood. This looks a weak enough contest with the second favourite Limestone disappointing last time out, and I feel I have to stick with the likeable William Haggas improver until he is beaten.

 

FLORA OF BERMUDA (7f Gp1) – The (3.00) City of York Stakes looks a very interesting renewal considering how the winning times were looking over 6f and 7f yesterday. With the track riding 20 lengths slow I am wondering if this will suit those at the head of the market. The ground has dried a little to Good to Soft (Good in places), but I have to say I was surprised at how slow the winning times were yesterday. Obviously, if it has dried up markedly that would be of great benefit for the favourite Notable Speech who would be a lot shorter on a Good to Firm surface. But as things stand I want to be on one who won’t mind a bit of cut and likes York. I might be asking too much here of the selection but she ticks all the boxes and won a Group 3 at Goodwood last time out when stepping up to 7f. It’s easy to forget that she was only beaten a half length in the Gp1 Champion Sprint at Ascot last season, and looked very unlucky when beaten a neck by Inisherin in the Group 2 Clipper Stakes at today’s venue back in May. She gets a 3lb fillies/mares allowance and it will be interesting to see if she can outrun her odds today.

 

EMIT (14f Hcap) – Conditions on the round course yesterday looked to be riding much faster than the straight course and with a dry day on top of it I have a feeling the soft ground horses will be at a disadvantage for today’s (3.35) York Ebor handicap. The Willie Mullins favourite Love Me Tender falls into that category as a German winner that appreciates a bit of cut. Although, looking well treated from a mark of 96 I was happy to land on the selection who will have no problem with the ground. This was a very talented three-year-old who finished runner-up behind Tennessee Stud over 15f on very soft ground in a Group 2 contest at Lonchamp last October. Connections look to have targeted this race from a long way out, and he was noted making good headway in the home straight at Royal Ascot in the Duke Of Edinburgh handicap over 12f when not getting the clearest of runs under Ryan Moore. He was attempting to give the winner Opportunity 4lb and meets that rival on 10lb better terms today. Everything looks to be in his favour and with Ryan Moore booked again I expect him to go close over a distance that should be much more to his liking.

 

ADONIUS (5f Lst) – Rebecca Menzies likeable two-year-old heads the betting for today’s (4.45) York and he looks to hold the best form of the field. He was very impressive at Chester when making all from a favourable draw and ran an even bigger race when chasing home Pershaada in the Group 3 Molecomb at Goodwood following an 84 day break. He has been making the running of late but should take a lead off Jaan Ki Tukri today. He is priced as he should be but he looks worth siding with before going on to better things going forward. It is also a positive that he has form on a softish surface from Musselburgh already on his CV.

 

0.5pt e/way Archivist (9/1 William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfred 4 places) 1.50 York

1pt win Infraad (11/4 general) 2.25 York

0.5pt e/way Flora Of Bermuda (11/1 Betvictor, Coral, Boyles 4 places) 3.00 York

1pt e/way Emit (11/2 Unibet, 5/1 Paddy Power, Boyles 6 places) 3.35 York

1.5pts win Adonius (2/1 general) 4.45 York