Hi all,
Ok, the racing isn’t great quality wise but there’s plenty of it (9 meetings) and it’s competitive. I have concentrated on the action at York & Sandown. Let’s begin on the Knavesmire.
York
2:35 – JCB Handicap (Class 2) – 7f
I put up Golden Apollo each way ante post at 20/1 on Wednesday and I’m happy with that pick.
Of the rest Troubador ran poorly on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock but is well handicapped if bouncing back to form.
Admiralty is on a losing run that goes back to May 2019. The 7-year-old didn’t build on a promising return at Haydock. When only 6th of 8 Thirsk 28-days ago. Today’s sounder surface will suit him better and is form figures over C&D are 22.
Gifted Ruler has only had five career starts, two last year and put in a career-best effort when short-head 2nd of 6 to Boccaccio in handicap at Newmarket last June. First run for 350-days but he starts this season off 1lb lower than at Newmarket. Lightly raced to think he could be capable of a bit better and has been gelded since his last run.
1pt win –Gifted Ruler 5/1 @ Bet365
3:40 – Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 6f
Seventeen have been declared for this 3-year-old only sprint handicap. I put up the Charlie Hills trained Dark Shift on Wednesday and he runs. The yard’s other entry Jadwal also runs. He’s finished runner-up on his three starts this season but you couldn’t really fault his effort when a 3 /4 length 2nd of 12 to Jumby at Newmarket last month. A winner on good to firm last season he’s 7lb higher now but should go well.
Blackrod made an encouraging return to action when a 6 ¾ length 7th of 11 at Haydock two weeks ago. Has been dropped 2lb since his last run and is of better as a 3-year-old. Osin Murphy is an eyecatching jockey booking for the colt who racing on ground quicker than good to soft for the first time.
Akido is rare runner for Ger Lyons 1-2 here in the past five seasons. The gelding ended last season with a win in a Dundalk maiden last November and returned to action with another win at the same venue 52-days ago. Looked a useful sprinter that day despite not the most attractive head carriages. Handicap debut off a workable mark and Sam Ewing takes off a handy 5lb. Yard’s runners in fine form.
1pt win – Akido – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Sandown
2:15 – Coral “Beaten By A Length” Free Bet Scurry Stakes (Listed Race) – 5f
Atalis Bay improved when runner-up to the highly regarded Winter Power in a Listed race last time. He was no match for the winner but did finish well clear of the third and is the one to beat here.
Irish raider Steel Bull looked a smart juvenile when winning the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood last summer. Failed to build on that form on his next three starts although he was a close-up 5th of 10 in the Flying Childers. Only beat one home on his seasonal reappearance but the ground was soft and he probably needed the run. The drying ground will suit him better than last time and he’s very much respected.
1pt win – Steel Bull – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2:50 – lay Coral “Racing-Super-Series” For Free Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Repertoire did best of those held up when a length 3rd of 9 at Ascot two starts back. Didn’t seem to enjoy the good to soft ground when a 5 ½ length 5th of 12 at Newbury last month. Today’s better ground is a positive and a reproduction of his Ascot performance would see him in the mix.
Dogged won a good Newmarket nursery in September 2019 off 1lb lower. Just the three starts last year without winning. Looked and raced like the run was needed when a 3-length 5th of 7 at Newmarket 29-days ago. Will be fitter today and is on a handy mark.
2pts win – Dogged – 11/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Repertoire – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
Chester
3:20 – Glen Again hasn’t got the best of draws in stall 7 for a prominent racer. A winner over 1m 2f at Nottingham (soft) two starts back. Showed he was just as effective on quicker ground when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 6 behind the improving Dhushan at Musselburgh 7-days ago. He’s unexposed over 1m 4f and should give his backers a good run for their money.
1pt win – Glen Again – 15/2 @ Bet365
Cheers
John