2.45 York
Preview
A mile awaits this field of 17 for this always competitive Clipper Logistics Class 2 handicap where we have an unbeaten 4 year old heading the market. Top Rank has had just 4 career starts but has won them all, most recently by almost 5 lengths. He’s up in grade & up 11lbs in the handicap so this is a different ball game but he could easily be the proverbial Group horse in a handicap. As far as consistent handicapper’s go, Sir Busker is right up there with the best. He won his first 2 this year including the Silver Hunt Cup before finishing 2nd in the Bunbury Cup. Last time, he was 9th in the super competitive Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood when he was denied a clear run more than once up the straight.
Betting
It’s actually the winner of that Golden Mile that is our first bet. Prompting won that race in fine style & is taken to follow up here in the hands of Danny Tudhope for David O’Meara who holds a strong hand, running 4 in this race. This progressive 4 year old is bidding to make it from 4 from 4 since the return of racing post lockdown & there’s reason to suggest he will do. He’s won handicaps off 78, 86 & most recently 89 so, provided he hasn’t reached his ceiling, a 6lb rise & mark of 95 could still be lenient. It’s worth noting that he’s won ‘comfortably’ each time so he’s probably been a little underestimated by the handicapper. In fact, he was arguably as impressive a Golden Mile winner as there’s been; he travelled sweetly, waited for a gap &, once in the clear, put the race to bed in a matter of strides. In a race where there’s no obvious pace angle, I think he’ll sit prominent from a good draw in 5, kick for home 2 furlongs from home &, if it pans out like that, I don’t see any of the hold up horses having any chance to make up the ground.
At a big price, I’m chancing Deep Intrigue to force the pace & control the race from the front. He’s been running over 7 furlongs so this is a step up in trip but he’s stuck on well in each race so I’m expecting improvement for this step up in trip. The trainer, Mark Johnston, is in decent shape having had a couple of winners here yesterday & he’s a master with front runners. Whilst he doesn’t always lead, he can do & that’s more that can be said for the majority of this field. His recent form is good; 2 starts ago, he was a close up 4th behind Blackheath before finishing 3rd behind Toro Strike in a hot handicap at Goodwood where he was drawn wider than ideal & got stuck out the back. If he grabs the lead & dictates the pace, he should outrun his odds.
Tips
PLACED – Back Prompting (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 8.00 Boylesports BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
Back Deep Intrigue (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 26.00 Betfair Sportsbook BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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