YORK 2.25 17 Secret Venture @ 10/1 (12/1 in places) - 1/2 point each way - Paddy Power and Sky go odds to 5th and Lads / B365 / Coral and BV to 4th place.

A tough race to call as the collateral form, what it is, is confusing and the likes of Celebrity Dancer, Concierge; Fanaar and Kodyanna all look to have solid claims and are well supported. The one who caught my eye though was the once raced and unbeaten SECRET VENTURE who comes from the Kevin Ryan yard. Before the Yard had a major illness issue last year, it had built an earlier reputation for delivering precocious 2 year olds and this horse ran well and sowed much promise on debut on 29th May. At that point they seriously considered Royal Ascot and that shows the scope they think the horse has. They have stayed away from the stinging firm Going of the mid summer, I can't find any reference to "training problems" but plenty to the scope of the horse, so it is a sporting 1/2 point punt, and with a few Bookies going Odds to 5th place - try to use them,or one offering odds to 4th.

YORK 3.00 13 Kynren @ 8/1 + 1 Sharja Bridge @ 8/1 - 1 point each way both - Skybet odds to 6th and WH / Lad / Coral / PP / BV go odds to 5th

A typically tight and competitive renewal of The Clipper over 1 mile round the left hand bend. The market is quite compressed at the top with 6-7 horses tightly packed and although we like to look for value lower down, that part of the filed look a little too speculative. Original Choice and Affak are prominent and have strong collateral form. However, the latter has had 3 tough back to back races and the former looks marginally inferior to stablemate Seniority, that one carries a penalty and may have had it's day at Goodwood. I leave all 3 of those out reluctantly. Get Knotted has excellent Course and Distance form but almost all of it at 7 furlongs and I don't think there will be any place for shrinking violets here in the closing stages.

Firmanent won this race in 2016; is on a good mark and well drawn and has been possibly set up for this race but a shortening from 12/1 to 6/1 overnight, takes away any real value for me, the unexposed Reach High, could frankly be "anything".

The pair I like most are KYNREN who has good Course and Distance form, a strong travelling horse proven at this trip and 10 furlongs, and granted luck in running from a low draw, one I think will be doing its best work in the last few furlongs. The other with a touch of class and proven stamina is SHARJA BRIDGE and that runs off what could be a lenient mark; despite top weight and the Trainer has often talked about the horse needing a genuinely flat track with a long straight, no where (other than possibly Doncaster) fits that bill better than York.

YORK 4.50 2 Lincoln Rocks @ 12/1 + 6 Starlight Romance @ 11/1 - 1 point each way each - WH + Lads + Coral + PP + BV and Sky all go odds to 4th place

A 7 furlong Fillies handicap and most Bookies enhance to 4th place despite only 15 runners. MOVE SWIFTLY is strong favourite here, I can't be tipping anything at 5/2 or lower, if you want a "win saver" take the option and play the search for some each way value, and by no stretch of the imagination do I think the favourite is "bomb proof".

LINCOLN ROCKS won this race last year; I like Fillies in races they have won before at the same time of year (obviously). The horse has been highly tried since, the handicapper has finally relented, she is back at a Course she likes, off a manageable mark, and probably in the easiest race she has had since winning last year. She may not be quite the same horse, but I am happy to take the chance, she has the t-shirt after all. STARLIGHT ROMANCE is very consistent, always in the thick of the action, ususally finds a few too good but is tough and durable. IF the market leaders falter she is the most likely to capitalise and with "odds to 4th" something of a place banker to give us a good run for our money.