Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Wild Blossom (94) – Everything that could go wrong for this selection went wrong. Slowly away from the stalls jockey James Doyle had plenty of time to make his way over to where the low draw advantage was on Day 1, but failed to do so. By the time he decided to go to the far side it was too late as jockey Billy Loughlan had taken his position. The selection was denied a clear run on more than one occasion and the race was long over when she eventually found daylight. She was beaten a short head for 5th place in the end, and more conviction was needed to get over to the favoured side early doors.
1pt e/way Blue Brother (106) – The first thing that needs to be said is that York takes the rain very well compared to other tracks. The winning times on the mile and 11f course were just over 11 lengths slow which equates to Good To Soft. So I was probably asking too much from the selection who needs softer going. He raced in midfield as a ferecious pace was set up front by Mark Winn on Mirsky. When the real questions were asked three furlongs from home Oisin Murphy had already poached a few lengths advantage on the chasing pack and had the race in safe keeping. In a way we were unlucky with 3 non-runners that the books switched to 4 paces only. The selection could only manage fifth place beaten 4.25 lengths.
0.75pt e/way Inis Mor (101) – It was right to be cautious about Kalpana (108) at such a short price on a surface that may not play to her strengths as she barely clung on for a short head victory from the unlucky in-running Sparan Nua (108). The selection had finished ahead of the runner-up in the Irish Oaks but once again raced keenly and found nothing in the home straight when asked. She looks an impossible one to get the best out of at the moment.
Today’s Advice
ARAPAHO GOLD/MUSSAB (6f Gp2) – The former selection is a Michael Dods trained two-year-old that very much caught the eye last time out when taking the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury by a neck from the Godolphin trained Nabati. Very little went right on the day as he raced on the wing and received a hefty bump after a furlong. All that would be enough to prevent most horses from finishing their race professionally, but this son of Bayside Boy was having none of it. Having won his two previous races over 5 and 6 furlongs at Thirsk he was determined to maintain his unbeaten record and having raced prominently kept finding more when asked by jockey Conor Beasley. He eventually led a furlong from home and the way he put his head down to battle for the victory was very encouraging. This was a career best (103) timefigure on the clock and he looks to be improving nicely. All his wins have come on a Good to Firm surface but he looks the type that will have no problem on ground with a bit of cut in it. Indeed, his dam Call Of The Jungle won her maiden at The Curragh back in 2020 on a Good to yielding surface.
The second place finisher has come out to win his novice since and with trainer Michael Dods past record of success at York with Mecca’s Angel, Commanche Glory (in the same owner’s colours) and Mabs Cross it would be no surprise if the current favourite could oblige in today’s (3.00) York. The main danger according to the betting is the Aidan O’Brien trained Marco Polo who finished runner-up in a maiden at The Curragh just 12 days ago. He looked green in the closing stages on that occasion, and while his trainer has been known to transform his charges from debut I feel the selection’s experience should prove the deciding factor.
A more interesting rival could be the Richard & Peter Fahey trained latter selection who went into plenty of notebooks at Royal Ascot when finishing well from the rear in the Norfolk stakes over 5f to come 4 lengths behind the impressive Orthodox. The 62 day break is a concern but at a double figure price he looks worth a saver.
2.5pts win Arapaho Gold (11/4 general) 3.00 York
0.75pt win Mussab (18/1 general) 3.00 York