York - Wednesday 17th August

 

These York Sprints can quickly demolish or massively boost a betting bank so we'll tread cautiously today. A lot come in fine form but not particularly well handicapped as a result, enough have Course form to be of interest and it is a track that has its own quirks and has specialists as a result. On the evidence of this season I think low and middle is preferable to high, that can and does change here and if we see evidence today of a nice strip down the Stands side we won't be reluctant to change tack later on.

 

Dakota Gold (who is in our long term tracker has an excellent chance and if you wanted a small saver on that one on the basis of the Tracker entry I wouldn;t put you off at all. Dusky Lad could be progressive but I'm not sure about Stall 19 at the moment, Atalis Bay could be returning to form, as could the yard and a better run from Stall 6 would not surprise me.

 

Mondammey, Ghatanfar, Look Out Louis and Ancient Times are all in good nick but may be now just in the grip of the handicapper and if you had to push me I'd see Look Out Louis as perhaps the biggest danger out of that lot. Copper Knight has to be mentioned here and won this last year but off a mark 9lbs higher despite a decent draw I can't quite see a repeat today but I think it'll run its race here as always and I'll doff the cap if it wins! Stablemate SUNDAY SOVEREIGN is very interesting with William Buick booked as its very lightly raced for a Tim Easterby horse and probably the dark one of the field. 

 

I do like a few though at big Odds for a shrapnel bet.

 

NOMADIC EMPIRE lurks on a very dangerous mark drawn in Stall 15 and is capable in that centre pack middle draw area of picking up a tow off something like Copper kNight if breaking on terms. The O'Meara horses can never be discounted and can suddenly fire off nice marks and I'm happy to take a chance for a small stake. BERGERAC in Stall 2 has an excellent Course record and is still well drawn despite a recent win and if the blinkers work again he can't be discounted. I will have a small investment on the aforementioned SUNDAY SOVEREIGN too.

 

At big Odds if you wanted that £1 each way or a win/place on the exchanges then another lurker is Karl Burkes SIGNIFICANTLY in Stall 5. It's had a couple of wind ops and they go for a tongue tie today but the Yard remains in excellent form and if it's healthy it is very well handicapped on a couple of pieces of 3 year old form, it's all about it being able to run pain free in terms of breathing you'd think and the less intense heat may help.

 

 

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A competitive race where some step up in trip, others have proven form over further and a few have some very solid Course form.

 

Master Milliner is very progressive and impressive for Emma Lavelle Course and Distance wins off 75 and 80, wins off 89 on the AW and 93 at Goodwood and now off a mark of 98. It's going to take a good horse to beat it but hopefully I have found a couple. If you want a win saver on MM feel free.

 

Soapy Stevens is one of 3 Johnston runners and was 4th last time at Goodwood after a couple of impressive wins and I just feel the handicapper now has him about right. Zoffee is an AW winner off 84 and runs off 92, I'm not sure if he's quite good enough to win off that mark. Frankinstella is a Course and Distance winner off a mark of 77, now off 97 , more rain would have helped as it has assured stamina and off a break of 97 days is one I fear but can't quite invest in today.

 

The likes of Withold and Red Verdon can always pop up but i was left with 3 I particularly like.

 

The other pair of Mark and Charlie Johnston runners both look strong to me, the Yard used to swerve York for some reason but in the past decade have grown much fonder. TEHMAXWECAN carries a penalty for a win in The Shergar Cup but is still well handicapped and with that confidence restored looks sure to figure and does THUNDEROUS whose runner up to Stradivarius in the Yorkshire Cup whilst not something to take purely at face value can't be just ignored either.

 

At bigger odds and worth a small investment is Course specialist MONSIEUR LAMBRAYS who is a Course winner off a mark of 84, was a demoted first past the post winner also here off the same mark and runs off bottom weight off a mark of 85. At the price certainly worth a small punt with enhanced place Odds.