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14:05 York
The opener at York gets underway with the Nunthorpe Handicap where (No that isn't a typo) the National Hunt jockeys ride in the 5f Sprint. An already tricky looking race added into the mix with the National Hunt jockeys in the saddle.
Trainer Paul Midgley Has 5 of the 12 entered for this race and you could make a case for all of them in this type of race. Hopefully / it looks like the rain has stayed away and possibly looks like a dry and cloudy day at York and they all stand their ground.
James Watt goes into this race as slight favourite and the cheekpieces have seemed to revitalise him winning 2 out of the last 3 races with them on and this is a step up in class since his last run out with the former Jump Jockey champion Bryan Hughes taking the ride. Mid Winster time on the clock at Doncaster was impressive albeit in a lower-class race. A 5lb rise for that win shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Soul Seeker is having a good year this year with 3 wins on the board and has the help of Tom Scudamore who has won this race in 2017 so that may help and is certainly not without a chance.
My main selection I really fancy is the consistent and in good form NIBRAS AGAIN. has been running well of late and only narrowly missed out at Newmarket where another 5 yards he would have got there. Won the renewal of this Race in 2019 only time he has ever raced at York as well. I just feel course and distance winning could be really helpful in a race like this & being weighted slightly better than some of the other leading contenders. Has been unlucky but consistent in his last few races and deserves to get his head in front at around 6/1 and some bookies paying 4 places or even 5 I'd be surprised to see NIBRAS AGAIN out the top 4 holds good each way value.
Another Horse who I like at a big price is Eeh Bah Gum although on a long losing run. a previous course and distance winner and at a price of 14/1 again 4 or 5 places. Is becoming a bit expensive to follow. but maybe this type of race will bring the best out of him and has won a class 2 handicap before in 2018 on very similar conditions today. more of a riskier proposition than Nibras Again but does have an each way shout
NIBRAS AGAIN (E/W)
EEH BAH GUM (E/W)
written by Luke Tucker