Racing Chat - Friday August 20th

[The Brigadier]

Day three of the York Ebor meeting and with a predominantly dry forecast the ground looks likely to remain on the fast side so steer away from the soft ground horses.

 

York 1.50

18 go to post for the 1m4F Skybet Handicap with the favourite, and one of only two three year olds in the field, Wink Of An Eye the one to beat. The Queen’s Dubawi gelding is chasing a five timer having won at Haydock, Newmarket, Sandown and Goodwood rising 21lb in that sequence. This will be the furthest he’s raced at but didn’t appear to be stopping over a furlong shorter trip  at  Goddeidd last time. David Egan fresh from his easy win on Mishriff on Tuesday gets the leg up for the first time and he’s the selection here. Top weight Johnny Drama comes into the equation as well and despite his steadier of 9-10 can be thereabouts. The drying ground has gone against a few here including Rhythmic Intent, Sam Cooke and Cormier. 

WINK OF AN EYE 2 points each way @ 9/2 1/5^th 12345 Paddy Power

 

York 2.25

Only five go to post for this year’s Group 2 Lonsdale Cup Stakes run over 2m 56yds and unfortunately that may well drop to four (or even less) by post time as there are clear ground doubts over Alan King’s top stayer Trueshan who’s penalised 3lb for his Goodwood Cup victory. He’s very ground dependent and I’m hoping he does run as I want to oppose him on this ground and he will take a fair chunk out of the market if he does line up. Stratum is also better on a softer surface and is also overlooked. The Gosden’s super stayer Stradivarius missed Goodwood due to the soft ground and conditions are very much in his favour here today. He’s surprisingly won only one of his last five starts but there have been good reasons for each defeat and he’s the one to beat. His big danger today will no doubt be Andrew Balding’s Spanish Mission, who finished 1 3/4L ahead of Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup but Frankie Dettori rode a rare poorly judged race that day on Stradivarius and can turn the tables. The other runner The Grand Visir doesn’t look good enough. So it’s Stradivarius for me hoping that Trueshan makes it to post to keep his price from dipping under Evens. 

STRADIVARIUS 3 points win @ 5/4 Bet365

 

York 3.00

The 6F Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes has attracted a field of eleven speedy two year olds. The two form horses both have to shoulder a 3lb penalty with Coventry winner Berkshire Shadow trained by Andrew Balding who may have found the extra furlong on soft ground a step too far at Goodwood and back at 6F on better ground looks sure to go well though may just prefer further now.. Lusail trained by Richard Hannon is the other filly carrying the penalty, that being for her Group 2 July Stakes victory. On official ratings there’s only a pound between them and the pair can battle this out with slight preference for Lusail. Fearby is third in but I was a bit disappointed with her effort at Goodwood last time and none of the others really get me too excited. 

LUSAIL 2 points win @ 5/2 Bet365

 

York 3.35

The feature race on Day three is the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes run over the minimum trip of 5F. The American traveller Golden Pal comes with a big reputation with trainer Wesley Ward stating he’s the best he’s ever trained. Dettori is in the saddle and he looks sure to run well. Pushing for favouritism against him is the French raider Suesa trained by Francois Rohaut who bounced back to form when winning the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood in terrific style. He’s yet to race on rattling fast ground though so preference is for Golden Pal of that duo. Winter Power has won two of his three starts at the track but was found out at Ascot on his only attempt at Group 1 level so has it to prove here today. Two year olds have won this event in the past with Lyric Fantasy in 1992 and Kingsgate Native in 2007 and it wouldn’t surprise me if this years representative Chipotle was to outrun his odds as the two year old’s allowance is massive with the juveniles set to receive 24lb from the 4 year olds. He’s had excuses for his defeats (soft ground twice and badly impeded at Newbury ) and is worth a small each way saver. 

GOLDEN PAL 2 points win @ 3/1 BetVictor

CHIPOTLE 1/2 point each way @ 40/1 1/5^th 1234 Bet365

 

[fd1972uk]

Went with win acc using free bet four favs as pictured, around 136/1.

Went with an e/w acc all at york (places) 

1350 Dark Jedi 9/1 (7)

1535 Arecibo 12/1 (5)

1610Vintage Choice 17/2 (4)

1640 Jewel in My Crown 9/2 (4)

1710 Marsabit 11/1 (6)

 

Also went moneyback offers on Lusail and Fearby at York. 

Also small double bet at just under 6/1 for Glennifer and Madame Ambassador. 

Edited August 19, 2021 by fd1972uk