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IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE TWO MINUTE TRADER
13:50 York Two thirds of the last nine winners have returned at odds of over 10/1 with little by way of recent, decent form to go off so the first of todays’ TV races looks a tough one to be overly confident in any selection. That said, Tim Easterby has won three of the last six renewals so Mukhayyam looks a good place to start. A winner off a mark of 80 last September, he is only 1lbs higher today and is partnered with last years’ winning jockey so has to be the choice here. Charismatic Man is a winner over todays’ trip but has so far yet to fire on turf so the bigger danger could be Chancery who, although hasn’t won since late 2015 has dropped down the weights as a result and has shown signs of improvement in his last couple of runs. Mukhayyam (WIN)
14:05 Musselburgh The first of two races from Musselburgh sees Meadway return to defend his crown, racing off a 3lbs lower mark than when victorious last year. He hasn’t won since but his trainer always does well at the course so a follow-up can’t be discounted. Showdaisy has made the frame in five from seven on turf, all on either good or good-to-firm ground, and has won two from three over course and distance. All victories to date have come in lower grades than today but jockey Rowan Scott claims a handy 5lbs so she is taken to get involved at what promises to be a decent each way price. Showdaisy (E/W)
14:20 York A tricky looking eighteen runner handicap so with four places available it seems sensible to look for each way value and for me Theodorico fits the bill. Arriving here on the back of two commanding victories, a previous winner over course and distance, and having made the frame in all six previous attempts over seven furlongs he should be capable of at least a top four finish here. Shady Mccoy is another who has a decent record over the trip but has done all his winning so far in lower grades than today, while Fingals Cave was a winner last time out and has won almost 40% of his races but would have to defy a career high mark to come out on top today. Theodorico (E/W)
14:40 Sandown This race rarely throws up too many surprises so it seems prudent to focus on those forecast to be at the head of the market. A winner of a Listed contest at York in May, Fashion Queen is unbeaten in two over a five furlong trip and with Ryan Moore booked to ride will no doubt be popular with punters. Ardad won the Group 2 Flying Childers last year but was well beaten by Fashion Queen on re-appearance and now looks to have something to prove so preference is for Copper Knight who has shown plenty of improvement since moving to Tim Easterby, winning his last two, and looks capable of improving even further. Copper Knight (WIN) – NAP
14:55 York Spark Plug has posted three of his four career victories over a mile and arrives in good form, while Mondialiste hasn’t won in a while but has won and placed on his two previous visits to York and is the choice of Danny Tudhope so isn’t discounted. Golden Stunner has winning course form and has an excellent record over the trip but has been beaten three times at listed level while Arabian Hope is unbeaten in two this season and looks capable of further improvement but steps up markedly in grade so i’m opting for Richard Hannon’s Khafoo Shememi who is unbeaten in two over a mile, including last time out at Listed level, and should make a bold bid to gain another victory here. Khafoo Shamemi (E/W if 9/2+)
15:10 Musselburgh Caspian Prince beat a number of these last time out but has been raised 4lbs for that effort, while the likes of Duke Of Firenze (3rd), Desert Law (7th) and El Astronaute (8th) all race of the same mark. All three would have to be considered in with a chance of reversing the form with Duke Of Firenze likely to come out on top if the rain arrives, while Desert Law has done all his winning on good-to-firm ground. However, I am opting for El Astronaute who is a little more versatile regarding conditions and arrives having won three of his last five. El Astronaute (E/W)
15:30 York The final TV race of the day and there looks to be a number of runners who could be capable of going on to bigger and better things. Ekhtiyaar is yet to finish outside the first two in all four career runs so far, all over a six furlong trip, and with trainer Roger Varian and jockey Jim Crowley both firing in the winners in recent weeks it would be foolish to dismiss his chances. Carlton Frankie has notched up a hat-trick of victories, beating a couple of subsequent winners in all three, and now steps up both in trip and class for todays’ race. She finishes her races strongly so should be capable of lasting the trip and looks to be a decent each way option if the prices permit. Of the remainder Danielsflyer and Munro both have excellent form over the trip while The Wagon Wheel has a course and distance victory to her name and none are discounted in a competitive finale. Ekhtiyaar (WIN)
