MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN YORK OPENER

13:50 York

York and competitive looking sprints go hand in hand and attempting to discount any of these today, appears a rather thankless task. Pendleton is likable and clearly progressive, he has a win and a second from two prior course visits and can easily be forgiven for flopping when last seen at Ascot. Hailing from the yard who saddled the winner of this race two years ago and likely to have been freshened up for his recent break, there is every chance he will bounce back and a terrific amount of respect is afforded.

Mondammej can look an awkward type and has a rather off-putting habit of missing the break, he has plenty of form to play a part in this though and if the gaps appear you can easily see him laying down a strong challenge at the death.

Major Jumbo has become frustrating and almost impossible to predict, his fine third at Newcastle in June was followed up with two tepid performances after and he arrives here with questions to answer. For all the negatives, he represents a powerful Northern Yard, indeed a yard firing at present and it would be easy to forget that he has twice scored at this venue. Seriously suggesting he will do one thing or another is hard to justify though he is now a whopping fourteen pounds below the mark he last won off and as such, a speculative vote is handed down.

Whenthedealisdone probably enjoyed the run of the race when scoring at Goodwood although I wouldn't go as far as saying he was lucky, his six pounds rise for that poses a significant question of him but he ought to have more to come.

Copper Knight likes it here and scored over the minimum trip at this venue earlier in the season, he could go well for a long way and would be extremely dangerous if afforded an easy lead although other's might be better handicapped.

Twilight Calls can be excused to a point for burning fingers at Goodwood last time (Fourth behind Whenthedealisdone) as he was bumped at the start and had a mountain to climb from his track position. Still only three and well related, you suspect he could develop into a high-class type in this sphere although there is every chance this could get rough.

Desert Safari, Live In The Moment and Indian Sounds would want a healthy amount of respect if on going days though our vote shall be split between the progressive Pendleton and the dangerously well handicapped Major Jumbo.

MAJOR JUMBO (E/W)

PENDLETON (E/W)

written by Chris Connolly