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13:50 York
This looks like a fiendishly difficult heritage handicap to open proceedings and we’ll start with last year's winning combination of Ralph Beckett and Rob Hornby, who are represented by Lord Protector this time around. The Garman-bred son of Pastorius is a four-time winner, who’s progressed nicely through the ranks. He was slightly disappointing at Goodwood but may have found the ground to firm underfoot and with rain forecasted, he could spring a mild surprise.
David O’Meara’s booking of Ryan Moore for Charging Thunder is quite eye-catching. The six-time winner races off a career high mark of 98, following a big run at the Shergar Cup most recently. He’s clearly on an upward curve but is 0-4 at York which tempers enthusiasm. We’ve not seen the well-bred Amtiyaz since he was narrowly beaten in the Bet365 Trophy at Newmarket. Prior to that, he was a winner at Royal Ascot and the 406 days off the track shouldn’t be an issue coming from the Gosden camp.
It’s incredible to think that Cormier was winning off a mark of 50 this time two years ago. He’s continued to progress since then and was a course and distance winner off an eleven-pound lower mark last year. He’s more exposed than most in the field but was an easy winner at Chester most recently so can’t be ruled out.
LORD PROTECTOR (E/W)
written by Peter Keogh
14:25 York
This looks something of a match-race between Stradivarius and Trueshan. Both high class stayers in their own right, both former Ascot Gold Cup winners, one would be extremely surprised if any of the others managed to beat the pair here and perhaps the most interesting angle into the race is what the weather does.
Despite being eight years old, Stradivarius keeps on performing with plenty of credit and he was only just denied by this season's Gold Cup winner, Kyprios, at Goodwood last time. Ideally suited by good ground or better, he deserves to get one last victory on British soil and he may well get that if the forecast overnight rain doesn't get into the ground. Ahead of both Trueshan and Coltrane the last day, he has never tasted defeat at this venue (6-6) and he is taken to land this race for the fourth time.
Trueshan usually avoids racing on ground without soft in the description although connections sportingly allowed him to take his chance at Goodwood the last day. Brilliant when conceding lumps of weight in the Northumberland Plate the time before, he arrives here as the best horse in the race officially speaking and respect is clearly a must. Looking back at the aforementioned Goodwood race, one would struggle to strongly suggest he didn't go on the ''Good'' ground and perhaps the rider was more to ''Blame'' for that defeat. Entitled to go well here, there is every chance Doyle will attempt to run the finish out of Stradivarius although you would be much more confident if the heavens opened.
Coltrane deserves a mention and is worthy of considering in the without markets, he looks highly progressive for Andrew Balding although the yard has sent out a few disappointing runners at this meeting so far. Tashkan is another to consider for the places and he appears to like this course, however, like the rest, there is absolutely nothing to suggest anything can beat the two market leaders and so the hope is that Stradivarius can sign off a glorious career with yet another victory.
STRADIVARIUS (WIN)
written by Chris Connolly
15:00 York
A few of these runners put their unbeaten record on the line today in this race. Marshman is 2 from 2 but this is a step up in what he has been facing in his last 2 wins. what he did beat those 2 races the opposition those days haven't come out and done much.
Chateau was beaten fair and square by Royal Scotsman last time out at Goodwood. Chateau does get 3 pounds in favour today but I cant see that helping to much when you consider some of the other opposition.
Noble Style is an interesting runner for the Godolphin team does have a variety of fancy entries upcoming in this flat season. Runner up of Noble Style last win ran yesterday at York (Mill Stream) and finished 4th. Noble Style only won by half a length. So is that line of form that strong I'm not 100% Convinced.
I was really impressed by how Royal Scotsman won last time out at Goodwood in the Group 2 race and that still sticks out to me in my mind. Yes, he has a bit of a penalty kick for winning the group 2 last time out. But he looks the type of horse that'll keep improving for each run. There are some threats in this race of course but he looks like there is more to come from Royal Scotsman. When you look even at his defeat at Ascot the ones in front of him have gone on and ran good races again since. Which in my mind Royal Scotsman has the best form in the book compared to his opponents
ROYAL SCOTSMAN (WIN)
written by Luke Tucker
15:35 York
The 5-furlong sprint sees the 2-year-old The Platinum Queen gets weight all round of her rivals which will help being a but a 2-year-old hasn't won this race for a long time.
Khaadem & Raasel have been consistent have been fairly consistent horses this season and come here certainly with each way shout at double figure prices (At time of writing)
Highland Princess looks a danger as well having won a good quality of race in France last time out and has to be considered and can still be backed at an each way price. Winter Power won this race last year but really hasn't done much this season to suggest something different is going to happen on what we have seen of her so far this season.
Winter Power was quite a way behind Royal Aclaim last time out at York and Royal Acclaim is my selection.
Royal Aclaim bolted up pretty much at York last time in a listed race as well so has the course and distance form already in the bank. Royal Aclaim does put her unbeaten record on the line today at York. But she gets the same Good to firm conditions as last time out. She is still a relatively lightly raced horse so there is bound to be more improvement in her. Whereas some of these sprinters in here. You know what you are going to get and perhaps have reached their limitations as such. Bar a problem pre-race or badly missing the break. I fully expect Royal Aclaim to put on an improved performance from last time out. Which gives her a great chance of winning.
ROYAL ACLAIM (WIN)
written by Luke Tucker
16:10 York
Amanzoe goes into this favourite after racking up 3 wins on the spin and is looking for a 4 timer. but is now 11 pounds higher since her last handicap win and it maybe the case there is some value elsewhere.
State Occasion won last time out at Goodwood but has now been raised 5 pounds for that latest win. She will have to seek more improvement from her to be in contention for this.
Roger Varian has played double handed here in this race with Shampion & Croachill who both make their handicap debuts here today. both without chances Croachill has shown consistency in her 3 starts not being outside the top 2. Shampion won last time out after being upped in trip to this trip she is at today.
My selection though is one of the outsiders of the race and I believe she is slightly over priced is The Flying Ginger. Only wins on left-handed tracks with all 4 career wins coming from them. She has won twice round York before and won this race last year on good to firm ground. She gets the conditions again more than likely (providing it doesn't rain to much overnight)
Yes, her form recent times isn't to inspiring but The Flying Ginger seems that type of horse that wins when you least expect it when you look at the prices she is winning at. She is 4 pounds lower than winning this race last year. Which will help and shows she hasn't been in great form. Obviously comes with risks hence the price. But with Bookies paying extra places certainly holds each way value. Seems to like the track at York so is definitely worth each way play
THE FLYING GINGER (E/W)
written by Luke Tucker
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