York - Wednesday 18th August

 

A competitive and tough race as always but in the final analysis a threesome against the field stood out for me.

 

You never really know any draw bias here until after a few races but I have a speedster low and a couple of Course specialists drawn higher.

 

COPPER KNIGHT is a 5 furlong specialist but you can win from the front here and David Allen has always been an outstanding judge of pace. With the far rail to suit it really should be a case of "catch me if you can" . The horse may get a lovely run for a long way and any scrummaging down the centre / stands side will only help its cause.

 

PENDLETON looks to have been aimed at this race, drawn 20 for Michael Dods and Callum Rodriguez. Lightly raced, winner at 5 and 6 furlongs my only niggle is the higher mark but looks a horse with scope to improve a little move.

 

MAJOR JUMBO drawn 17 for Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves on the other hand is a twice Course and Distance winner and 14lbs below it's last winning mark. It's not so much a case of massive regression more finding a mark it can win off and be competitive again, and he does jump off the page a little.

 

 

In the 4.10 Handicap over 2 miles and 1/2 furlong I will have Tracker bets on ELYSIAN FLAME who can put guaranteed stamina to good effect and FUTURE INVESTMENT who I've had in mind (if declared) for this race since last couple of runs a scopey type who will be ideally suited by the conditions of the race.