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13:50 York
The Marygate will see some seriously quick fillies facing off and these fillies have big futures going forward and will no doubt come up against each other throughout the season. But back to today, Amo Racing have been flying this season and have been making a concerted effort to have sharp types and they have three in today's contest. Including the likely favourite Maimi Girl who was slightly slow away on debut before powering away to win in great style and given that Richard Hannon’s horse tend to improve for the run she definitely falls into the “could be anything” category. Fix You was also impressive on debut but perhaps doesn’t have the same scope for progress and Primrose Ridge who was a cheap purchase before finishing second in the Brocklesby only got off the mark on third start albeit impressively.
Yahsat is my pick for the in form Karl Burke, who after only just being denied on debut when too keen, got it all together second time out. What is even more impressive was the way she went about the race and the fact that the third and fourth have come out and won since so she should be involved on the form and the visual impression.
YAHSAT (E/W)
written by Michael Taylor
14:05 Newbury
Ibiza Rocks failed to get his head in front last season although he ran with plenty of credit on quite a few occasions and Charlie Hills could barely have his string in better form. Still quite lightly raced for a four-year-old and previously a winner here, he looks almost certain to be suited to this drop in trip and he should take a fair bit of beating if all goes to plan.
Silver Samurai is tough and consistent and he arrives here on the back of a fair effort at Ascot, where he finished third last week. Apparently comfortable on any ground, one would have to suggest he is one of the likeliest to run his race though his mark is on the high side and he is taken on for win purposes.
Puerto De Vega has proven to be a progressive type on the artificial surfaces and deserves a mention on that alone, however, his record on grass now stands at 0-5 and he has shown precious very little on this surface since making his debut as a two-year-old. Today's good to soft ground poses another significant question of him and at the prices, he look worth taking on.
Mitrosonfire is still above his last winning mark and he may need this, he was progressive last season though and he looks worth placing into the tracker for later in the season. Able Kane hasn't shown enough this season to be selected and so Ibiza Rocks is selected in the hope that he can lay up with them early, before proving too strong at the finish.
IBIZA ROCKS (WIN)
written by Chris Connolly
14:25 York
A tricky looking race on paper with the 12 fillies running in this. Lots of these fillies have shown glimpses of good form. Which makes it hard from a betting angle.
Favourite Grande Dame ran well at Ascot last time out and reappears today she was prob a little keen for her first run but won well in the end. Youd like to think there will be some improvement in her for her 2nd run. Just at the price and you're not really sure how good that form is as the runners in that race haven't reappeared since. But a few had won on their debuts previously.
A form line you can take in this race is a few of these finished behind 1000 Gunieas winner Catchet. Perfect News finished 4th that day at Newmarket in the race Catchet won before the 1000 Guineas race. Perfect News has beaten Rishes Baar twice when against her so difficult to see how she can be involved Rishes Baar. Girl On Film was another to race behind Catchet but that was over 200 days ago but would surely need a run before hand in this listed race. A possible each way selection maybe.
Fonteyn ran 2nd on her 1st appearance of the season and you'd like to think there would be improvement not without each way chance.
More of a left field selection but at around the 20/1 price (At the time of writing) I fancy an improved performance from Arion. She was upped in trip last time out on her seasonal and didn't necessarily enjoy or get the trip. But she may have also needed the run last time out as last year she won after reappearing from her first race. Back down to 7 furlongs where she has won at before and this will suit her.
I'm not saying she will romp home. But with form lines a little bit questionable amongst her opponents in this race it may be worth taking a chance on Arion to show some improvement from her last race. Trainer and jockey in reasonably good from as well which raises hope.
With some bookies paying 4 places in this race so do have a look around.
ARION (E/W)
written by Luke Tucker
15:00 York
Another tough looking handicap on the Knavesmire where a case could easily be made for at least half the field.
The current market leader Rogue Bear deserves his spot at the top of the market after back to back thirds in both The Lincoln and Spring Cup and in what seems a less competitive race looks likely to go closer this time around and in all honesty, despite the 2lb rise in weight, looks the most likely victory. That being said however, from a punting point of view, his price just seems too short and I'd rather hunt down an each way alternative.
I'm hoping the better option is the Roger Fell trained Cokcalorum who's gone well on seasonal reappearance in the past, having finished 2nd on his last two seasonal debuts. He finished 2nd in last years John Smith's Cup over course and distance last year and returns off the same handicap mark. He's produced four placed finishes from six course and distance starts so clearly handles conditions. I'm concerned about the trainers recent form but if he's near his best I'm happy to take a small each way play on one of the oldest horses in the lineup.
Of the rest both Parachute and Love Is Golden may improve upon their most recent efforts and could finish in the frame.
COCKALORUM (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock
15:35 York
Stradivarius is 5 from 5 round here at York and usually goes well fresh on his reappearance. At around 4/6 on (At time of writing) Stradivarius isn't getting any younger and being a bit older he may need the run. All of his opponents today have a had a race in them recently and will not be needing the excuse of coming on for a run. Also I'm not entirely sure the trip is long enough for him. I do have a question mark he hasn't won a race since May 2019 at 1 mile 6 furlongs and all his wins since then have been 2 mile or above. I think he is worth taking him on at the price.
Although progressive last season Tashkhan was, however I think the quick ground will be against him at York and evidence of that was at Ascot last time out when the ground looked a bit quick for him. Thunderous showed improvement last time out but hasn't been this far so far and Mark Johnston horse would have to find a lot on ratings to get near Stradivarius.
Search For A Song is the Irish raider in this race. The group 1 winner is not without a chance and has already had a run and she will get 3 pounds of Stradivarius all of which will help. However you have to be concerned with the trainer form still 1 winner Dermot Weld has in around 40 plus runs. That has to be a concern.
My selection though is Max Vega. Max Vega won well at Newbury last time out and although this trip is a little further than last time out she has won in a group 1 at Curragh in the past at this distance. Which suggests there are big races in Max Vega. Max Vega was around 8/1 at the time of writing I think there is a little bit of each way value here. I see more question marks over some of the opposition than I do with Max Vega. Perhaps Max Vega is being slightly overlooked but at the value I think he is worth taking on Stradivarius with who is short in price.
MAX VEGA (E/W)
written by Luke Tucker
16:10 York
Wild Crusade will come into this race as a deserved favourite, having won his last two starts on the all weather now upped to this new trip. Like could be said for many in this field, a lot will depend how he transfers the form across to the turf and he is still unexposed and he could well be up to defying a mark this high.
His unbeaten stablemate New Comedy has been set a tough ask on his handicap debut although he is proven on turf which would count in his favour here. I would think he will have to show an improvement on his Haydock form to get involved though against some horses with more experience.
I’m opting to go against the boys in blue here though. Lady Labelle was a surprise winner on her debut for Sylvester Kirk before moving to Andrew Balding’s yard. She then bettered that form at Wolverhampton and she would hold every chance here of defying her handicap mark should she carry the same form across to the turf, improvement is also very possible. It’s very interesting that Andrew pits her against the boys here and I’m taking her at double figure odds, each way to land a surprise here.
LADY LABELLE (E/W)
written by Tom Bates