York 3.00

 

I don't think this is a great renewal to be honest and have discarded Garden Oasis, Snash, Ataser, Gifted River, Redarna, Bless Him and Lightning Company out fairly quickly as being either not good enough, better on AW or simply not well handicapped.

 

Isla Kai is a worthy favorite but I don't think it is great value for the form and may prove to be at a ceiling and in too deep here. 

 

I think there are seven of the field; to closely look at.

 

Lion Tower was 5th recently in the Hunt Cup at Thirsk, it could improve and I think is one at a price with an each way chance. La Trinidad is a Course and Distance winner and has won off marks of 89 and at 9 furlongs here off 83. It's run and won fresh and has a chance if fit enough off a mark of 93. Hortzador won a Class 3 at Ripon off a mark of 91 last time, it's a bit of a specialist though at that track but has good e/w chances here for O'Meara. Cruyff Turn is a Course and Distance winner in Class 2 off 95, 2 runs already so now fully fit and could try to make all from Stall 1, equally could get swamped late on by fast finishers coming over the top? Trais Flours is a bit of a marmite horse as its looking very well handicapped but that's as a result of a long losing run, Channon and SDS are a powerful combo if we're prepared to give it another try and it definitely did have bad luck in running at Thirsk last time. What's The Story won this in 2019, was 5th in this last year, has another bash but I just wonder how much spark is still there. Brunch was runner up last year off a mark of 101 drawn in stall 6, runs from stall 7 today, has had 2 runs off 107 and is the one who ticks the most boxes of that shortlist.

 

I'll therefore side with BRUNCH, I think What's The Story may just be OTT now form wise, I think Hortx=zador may just be in a shade too deep here too, I am happy to give TRAIS FLOURS a final chance given poor luck last time and i just prefer CRUYFF TURN with the benefit of a couple of runs over La Trinidad (who'd be reserve if any non runners) and Lion Tower who I think is best of the outsiders.