York 4.45

 

A typical York handicap in many ways although as Ian has suggested I don't think the Draw will be as relevant as pace and prominent run styles on this baked ground. The 7 furlong race starts in a Chute and although there is deemed to be a low draw advantage a tactical ride from a high number down the centre can often pay rich dividends and no need to use up early pace like you have to at a mile here where they run the full bend in.

 

At the last meeting Doctor Khan Junior was an impressive 28/1 winner and only gets a small penalty, it had the run of the race that day, a perfectly timed run and the aid of a relatively new visor. On balance I'm mindful that the aid may not keep working as well, they may not always get such a smooth passage, so I will oppose the horse. Riot for the O'Meara yard will be a tough nut to crack but tends to be held up and at around 5/1 you are somewhat a slave to fortune even if that run style is suited by conditions, Another Investment is always worth a look at here but I think off a decent pace better at shorter.

 

No Nay Nicky is a little unexposed still for the Fahey team and a nice filly who will win races but not quite yet I suspect. Lord Of The Lodge should deliver the genuine pace from the front and down the centre and whilst it may hand on the form so far suggests something should wear it down in the final furlong. Billyb is one I think could improve after a few runs and could be running in to form now and not lightly discounted. Royal Pleasure is relatively unexposed for a 5 year old and could also be about to strike.  I ended up with a final list of 4 and the toughest and last one to leave off that list was STREAK LIGHTNING who has been campaigned primarily on the AW but who has a few eye catching bits of Good and Good to Firm turf form for current Trainer Ruth Carr and prior to that the Johnstons and it's one who I will personally have a small nibble at to extended places.

 

My main four though are headed by TITAN ROCK and MOTAGALLY. Both are experienced York performers and experienced in the hurly-burly of these races and in decent form and really have no excuses. TITAN ROCK can rn from the front, gets a decent pitch in 15 to come down the centre and MOTAGALLY was a runner up at the last meeting running off the same mark and stall 8 should not be a negative.

 

For smaller stakes at bigger odds I think an investment in TUSCAN and EQUIANO SPRINGS could bring a net return. TUSCAN has yet to fire for David O'Meara following a move from Charles Hills, the horse though should be more acclimatised to surroundings now and dropped in grade and off a declining mark should be able to pay a return on the investment the Yard made sometime soon. On overall form for Hills, scope and the price, I think it's well worth a small investment. EQUIANO SPRINGS just got the nod over Streak Lightning and is to be honest fully exposed and has nothing to hide, that said, if it runs its usual solid race it has the run style to get in to a nice position and to be prominent in the closing stages and the heart and fortitude to battle all the way to the line, definitely on an attractive mark here.

 

TIPS (1) Titan Rock / (2) Motagally ...for smaller stakes (3) Tuscan / (4) Equiano Springs