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13:55 York
What About Carlo is beginning to look well handicapped on the best of his old form and he suggested that he could be ready to strike again when beaten only a length behind Short Sailor at Newmarket last time. Jimmy Fortune knows him better than anybody and it is a positive sign that he is reunited with the four year old this afternoon. This is their first attempt at a mile and a half but he was doing all of his best work in the closing stages in that last race and if he stays he has to have every chance.
Chancery has won at this track twice before including at this trip. He also returned to winning ways just three days ago and he gets in here before the handicapper has had a chance to react. David O’Meara has enjoyed another fantastic season and it would be foolish to dismiss this ones’ chances. Curbyourenthusiasm was unfortunate to bump into Wadi Al Hattawi over this course and distance last time. The front two pulled some five lengths clear of the remainder and those in behind included the reopposing Pressure Point, Mighty Yar and Emerahldz. It is hard to see any of those reversing that form and he looks a potent threat.
Eve Johnson Houghton seems to have had a reversal of fortune of late and has sent out three winners in as many weeks with a number of others placed. With his experienced pilot in the plate, What About Carlo looks decent value in a wide open handicap.
What About Carlo (E/W)
Curbyourenthusiasm (WIN)
14:30 York
Tac Du Boistron should enjoy this easier ground today and he can remind us of how good he can actually be in events of this nature. He is a high class stayer on his day and it is worth remembering that he was only just touched off by Gospel Choir at this track last season. Unlike a few of his rivals, there is relatively low mileage on the clock this year and Marco Botti is likely to have him primed to run well. Martin Harley knows his mount inside out and he has partnered the eight year old in three of his last four victories. With a run behind them they can be expected to do a lot better than when making their seasonal reappearance and they command utmost respect.
Clever Cookie is a multiple course winner and must know every blade of grass on the Knavesmire. He is likely to prove popular with racegoers on track and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if he was sent off a well backed favourite. Like the selection, the more rain that falls the better for him and he cannot be dismissed out of hand. Big Orange looks to have been revitalised by Michael Bell and comes here in search of a hat trick. He has had a long summer and it is possible that this could prove a step too far for the likeable four year old. He renews rivalry with Trip To Paris and is expected to confirm that form.
Tac Du Boistron is weighted to reverse recent form with Clever Cookie who in turn has the beating of a Big Orange and this looks a mouthwatering contest to savour. The selection has proven himself to be a Group One winner in the past and his class could be what sorts the men from the boys here.
Tac Du Boistron (WIN)
15:05 York
So Beloved looks to have strong course and distance winning form coming into this contest given that so many of the rivals he beat here earlier in the season have come out to run very well again since. They have included Alfred Hutchinson and Dusky Queen both of whom were only just thwarted yesterday. The form of his last win at Goodwood has also been franked following a long overdue success by Chil The Kite. David O’Meara has his stable firing on all cylinders at present and So Beloved has to be high on any shortlist.
Speculative Bid has not run a bad race all year and given that they were all decent handicaps he has to be considered as a live danger. The stable will be exuding confidence following the win by Arabian Queen earlier in the week and looks sure to go well yet again. Richard Pankhurst won the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last year but has not been seen since. John Gosden enjoyed success here with Martlet yesterday but it would be some training performance if he can get this son of Raven’s Pass ready to roll in what will be his first outing in fourteen months. Tanzeel remains progressive and recorded a third career when winning at this track last month. This is his first attempt at seven furlongs but if seeing it out he should be bang there.
So Beloved bids to enhance the good recent record that five year olds have in this particular contest and despite a career high mark he has to be of obvious interest. He stays further than this trip so his stamina is assured and he can go close for an in form yard.
So Beloved (WIN)
15:40 York
Acapulco bids to follow in the footsteps of Kingsgate Native and Lyric Fantasy by taking this as a two year old. The style of her win at Royal Ascot was certainly impressive and the two fillies that finished in behind her came out to finish first and third in the Lowther Stakes yesterday. Acapulco may be a youngster but she has the size and build of a more mature filly and she will not look out of place in this field. Trainer Wesley Ward has every confidence in her ability and if the rain stays away her chances will improve significantly.
Sole Power sprung a 100/1 surprise when taking this very race back in 2010. Everything fell right for him again last season when he collared Stepper Point to land a repeat win. Frankie Dettori replaces the now retired Richard Hughes and although without a win on British or Irish soil so far this year, his course and distance record make him a very real threat. Conditions should also prove ideal for Muthmir who saw off quite a few of these rivals at Goodwood last time including Move In Time, Take Cover and Justineo amongst others. With William Haggas firing in winner after winner this week on the Knavesmire he too is unlikely to be that far away.
Acapulco has a lot in her favour asides from the drying ground. She is set to receive the maximum allowances because of her age and sex. Controversial jockey Irdal Ortiz Jr takes the ride for the first time but the combination should prove tough nuts to crack.
Acapulco (WIN)