York 1.35

 

I'm not going to get hung up on the Draw here, they run out of a Chute from just in front of the home turn so it's really a straight 7 furlongs with a slight left hand kink at the start and whilst a good start from low is a small advantage, the ability to get the fractions right are more important and a middle draw gives a chance of a fast finishing sling shot over the top.

 

It's not the best race on the Card but the most competitive, we'll go with 50% stakes on the main pair and reduced on two others looking for enhanced places.

 

I can't see the value in Albeseeingyer despite 5 wins on the bounce at Class 5 and Class 6 and a step up in Class and mark from 49 to 72, what is absolutely fantastic is to see the name "Hollinshead" topping a Saturday Handicap market once again. 

 

There are real dangers to the selections from the likes of Bicep with 3 wins from 4 runs at this trip again though upped in Class off a rising mark. Quick Change is from the in form Burke team so has to be noted although its another running off what looks like a tough mark. Golden Apollo can never be discounted here but it usually needs a few runs and some summer sun and it is another running off a tough mark. At BIG Odds I will personally have a small shrapnel bet on SIR MAXI who has dropped to a very nice mark but very much one on "gut feel" rather than substantive form.

 

I think that both EY UP ITS THE BOSS for whom Good to Firm is ideal, and who was very progressive last season and who is back below a mark of 70 and MAYWAKE who has a Course and Distance win in this race last year and who races off an identical mark of 80 and who was lightly raced last season are clearly the pair to beat here.

 

At longer Odds for smaller Stakes (it is York and it is Class 4) I think a small wager on ANOTHER INVESTMENT who ran a promising 3rd here last week over Course and Distance and INTERCESSOR who has revitalised over this trip and who should stay on with its proven stamina should give us genuine place chances and they just get the nod over LA MAQUINA who is another dropped back to 7 furlongs but who might just find everything happening a bit too quick on this drying ground.