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15:30 York The opener from York has a veritable cavalry charge with a massive 20 runners set to go to post. Just to make things even easier it's also an apprentice handicap.
Nevertheless I'm hoping I've unearthed one at a fantastic price that the bookies seem to be overlooking.
Trainer John Quinn has his horses firing on all cylinders of late and his yard have bagged 6 winners and 6 placed finishes from his last 24 runners. He sends out two runners into the race Magna Moralia looks over priced considering he's accompanied by the talented Laura Pearson however it's stable mate First Impression that's gotten me rubbing my hands. Young jockey Rhys Clutterbuck is a jockey I earmarked at the start of the flat season as one to follow and he's continued to go from strength to strength at the early part of this term. He's perhaps not been the most prolific rider of late but he's been picking up a plethora of rides for various stables so he's clearly held in high regard by many a good judge. The five year old he's set to saddle drops back into Class 4 company for the first time since June of last year and since then has been successful up at Class 2. Although this looks a very competitive race numbers wise he's against less talented opposition than he's been competing against of late and the slight cut in the ground is also going to play into his hands. A low draw should be of benefit and off a mark 2lb below his last winning rating I'm shocked he's still a double figure price.
The Keith Dalgliesh trained duo of El Picador and Howzer Black shouldn't be far away and the former course and distance winner and current favourite Kihavah is likely to finish in the money.
However I'm siding with John Quinn's five year old to do much better than his odds suggest.
FIRST IMPRESSION (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock
15:45 Curragh
The all-conquering Aidan O’Brien bids for a fourth straight victory in the 1000 Guineas and holds leading claims with strong favourite Tuesday and recent Group winner History. The aforementioned has only run three times but put in a clear career-best when finishing third behind Cachet in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. If this race doesn’t come too quickly then she’ll be difficult to beat. History a £2.8 million yearling took three attempts to shed her maiden tag but put in a taking performance to win her sole start this season. She’ll need to improve again to win but that's quite plausible.
The once-raced Hermana Estrella was a shock 50/1 of a Group 3 on debut beating the future Royal Ascot winner Quick Suzy by a snug length. There should be more to come from his exciting filly and the booking of Jamie Spencer is eye-catching. It’s twelve years since Dermot Weld took this classic contest but has a live chance in the form of Homeless Songs who was impressive when landing the trial for this when last seen. This well-bred homebred holds leading claims but may want a slightly sounder surface.
Purplepay is a fascinating runner for the red-hot William Haggas stable. The French-import took a valuable sales race on her last start in her native France and must be working well for Haggas to pitch her in at the deep end here.
TUESDAY (WIN)
written by Peter Keogh
16:00 York
A poor turnout of just four runners for the Sunday Series Novice Stakes and nothing here should trouble the Amo Racing colt Walbank. The 525,000gns purchase started off his career with a second at Ascot behind the Godolphin owned Noble Style and a reproduction of that run will see him take this quite comfortably. Beautiful Sunrise is second in the market and he also finished second on his debut behind an owner mate of Walbank but that winner disappointed in the Marygate. The other two will also be capable of winning races going forward and will be worth keeping an eye on once in nurseries.
WALBANK (WIN)
written by Michael Taylor
16:20 Curragh
Big Gossey landed a Premier Handicap over this course and distance on Irish Champions Weekend last autumn and was a fine third in a decent Naas contest, taking Danny Sheehy’s valuable claim into account he runs off his last winning mark.
The lightly-raced Additional was a useful sort for Martyn Meade last year and made a bright start for current connections when beating all bar Blairmayne at Naas last month. Sarah Lynam’s charge received a three-pound hike for that performance but didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages and Colin Keane is a very eye-catching booking.
Midnight Fire also comes here on the back of a big field handicap victory over course and distance which puts him in the mix. I’ll side with course winner Shelly Banks who was a snug winner at Tipperary in April. She races off a career-high mark and will need more rain but it’s quite possible and she’s on an upward curve.
SHELLY BANKS (E/W)
written by Peter Keogh
16:35 York
Justcallmepete was entered at Haydock on Saturday however was an early absentee with a view to running here instead and has already come in for some early support taking him to the head of the market. A winner over this trip on the all-weather in March, he has since switched back to turf and wasn’t beaten far at Windsor before another encouraging run at Ascot when last seen, finishing sixth of eighteen despite suffering trouble in running. He could prove to be a worthy favourite however with twenty-two runners I would prefer to look for some each way value.
Beluga Gold has made the frame in all six career runs and was a decent enough second at Hamilton when last seen, however his sole career victory came over seven furlongs and he has to carry top-weight so although he’s likely to be in the mix my preference is for Gnat Alley who is two from two since tackling a six-furlong trip, beating the re-opposing Miss Britain in to third when they met in a nineteen-runner affair at Thirsk earlier in the month. That victory can be marked up given she had to check her run and then force her way through to get up on the line so a 3lbs rise looks more than fair and for me she rates as a strong each way selection and could even prove good enough to notch her hat-trick.
GNAT ALLEY (E/W) written by Dean Kilbryde
17:05 York
Devilwala was pretty consistent as a two year old and was thought good enough to contend for the major honours. He didn’t exactly carry that form through to his three year old season and has been quite disappointing since. He’s switched stables, to Tim Easterby, and showed a slight bit of promise on his debut. He was never going to perform over six furlongs, last time out so he will enjoy the step back to a mile today. His near three length defeat by St Marks Basilica in the Dewhurst is the best form you’ll find today and if he can show even a little bit of sparkle, 33/1 is a massive price.
Seasett won over a mile at Nottingham and was raised by six pounds for that effort. He didn’t give a good showing at Chelmsford, when he had quite a bit against him, but he has a talented jockey aboard, who claims five pounds off him and puts him back to a pound above his last winning mark. The only major possible reason against him, is that this is arguably a tougher race.
Lion Tower ran a good race last time out, over course and distance, when one length third behind Cryuff Turn. He’s been raised a pound for that run and Grant Tuer has had a winner yesterday and Sam James has a nice rapport with him. He might well be overpriced in this competitive handicap.
LION TOWER (WIN)
DEVILWALA (E/W)
written by Kieran McHugh
17:35 York
Dakota Gold finally snapped a long losing run when beating a few of these here last time, nudged up just four pounds for that today, he ought to go very close once more if in the mood and he has won off much higher marks in the past. Currently towards the head of the market, he is hard to ignore although that victory came from out of the blue and he wouldn't be sure to repeat the form.
Aberama Gold has become frustrating and he has a fair amount to find with Dakota Gold on the pairs running here last time. Now on his second start since having his wind done and apparently well drawn, there is every chance he will finally put it all together and he is now a whopping fourteen pounds below his last winning mark.
Mr Wagyu has shown only moderate promise since winning at Goodwood last season and the handicapper is taking a very long time to release his grip, still five pounds above his last successful mark, he is hard to fancy on the face of it although he does seem to like it here.
Hyperfocus failed to take advantage of what looked a good chance last time and was worn down late in the day, still well handicapper, there is every chance he will go well at decent odds though he doesn't win as often as he looks likely to.
Pendleton is another who continues to frustrate although like a few, he has gone well here before and further rain would give him a very good chance. Raatea, Adaay To Remember and Cottam Lane make appeal of the others but a final chance will be given to Aberama Gold who will surely take advantage of his dropping mark before too long.
ABERAMA GOLD (E/W) written by Chris Connolly
18:05 York
17 runners in this long-distance race of the day at York's Sunday series. many of the runners have won at this distance which will be helpful as you'll know they can handle the distance if you like to go by that line of form.
Current market favourite Emaraty Hero has shown good form over 1 mile 4 furlongs & 1 mile 5 furlongs. But will also be one of the top weights. can see this being difficult for a horse that hasn't won over this trip. Has won at York though which will be helpful.
Bollin Neal has had all his wins on softer surface so with a dry day expected at York you think that rules him out.
Super Superjack, Evaluation & Haizoom are all real each way contenders having won at the distance and there all near the top of the market. You would expect a good run from all of these. They have all also won their previous some come into the race in top form.
It's quite hard to make a selection in this race with so many in form and proving there selves in distance. But at a near double figure price, I am interested to see how Wor Willie gets on today.
won at Thirsk last time at 1 mile 6 furlongs and won well there and wasn't for catching or stopping. Yes, he is upped in class slightly today and that reflects in his slightly lower weight he is carrying. This is a step up in distance for Wor Willie and I think he will enjoy it having won twice at 1 mile 6 furlongs which would suggest he maybe be able to go further and there is more progress in War Willie.
As always if you can different bookies will be paying extra places so do look around.
WOR WILLIE (E/W)
written by Luke Tucker
18:40 York
A thrilling fillies handicap awaits to conclude the Sunday evening action from York and is a typically tight affair with several fillies holding good chances.
Espressoo has won twice already this term having been upped in trip. She has been very impressive for the Johnston team, however she is flying up the handicap and though she gets the 11lb weight allowance for age, she now has to give 3lb to Midheaven who she only beat by half a length last time out and she might come up short in her hat-trick attempt.
Celtic Empress has also been a winner this season in a very competitive race at Newmarket. The drop in trip is far from sure to be a positive though as she sees out a mile really well and has never won below this distance so I’m passing her over for this seven furlong contest.
Random Harvest went close up at Haydock earlier in the month, though that was on much slower ground than she will encounter today and it does appear as if she is more at home on a slower surface.
The vote though here goes to the unbeaten Heredia. She’s having her first run of the season and showed great battling qualities in her two starts last term. Seven furlongs looks to be her ideal trip and one of fillies she beat last time has since landed a Group 3 event and is now rated 104. She could well be great value in this contest, also receiving her 11lb weight for age claim and could just prove to be too good for the others here.
HEREDIA (WIN)
written by Tom Bates