The good racing continues on Friday as we build towards The Derby and then Royal Ascot, both of which are less than a month away now. We have the final day of the Dante meeting in York and a decent card at Newbury.
The Yorkshire Cup is the feature race at York on Friday but with only six going to post for that one we are swerving that and focusing our attention elsewhere. We’ve picked out one at Newbury and another on the York undercard.
2.30 Newbury
Preview
This looks a cracking handicap over a mile & a quarter with many in with chances so it’s not a race to be taking a short price about. A handicap over course & distance back in April is a race that 4 of today’s field contested including the favourite Gallant Lion who was 3rd that day. On that basis, it’s hard to rule out Sweet Reward at double figure odds who was one placed ahead in 2nd. Glam De Vega is interesting back from nearly 2 years off the track & it’s unlikely a horse trained by Roger Varian won’t be ready. Sir Michael Stoute’s Hosanna Power is interesting too, being brought along steadily although being turned over twice as favourite is a little concerning.
Betting
It may be a risk but I think High Fibre could be much better than his current mark. He’s been incredibly lightly raced since his 2 year old days with this 5 year old racing just twice since. 2 years ago, he finished a nose 2nd off this mark in a handicap at Newmarket and, reading that form literally would make him massively overpriced here. 2 lengths back in 3rd that day was Israr who is now rated 114, almost 2 stone higher than the mark he raced off there. The selection has only been seen once since but was stepped up to a mile & a half which saw him race keenly on ground that was probably too soft so you can put a line through that. In addition, it was off a 4lb higher mark. That nose 2nd was after an almost 6 month absence so I’m not too concerned about his ability to go well first time up & with conditions in his favour, it would not surprise me if he proved the best of his lot at a good each way price.
Tips
Back High Fibre (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-4)
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2.45 York
Preview
Another competitive handicap over a mile & a quarter, with many of the 16 strong field in with a chance. Botanical is a warm favourite after winning a Hamilton handicap on his last start at the end of last season. That day, he came clear by 6 lengths & he looked visually impressive but a 10lb higher mark on his first start of the campaign worries me a little. Majestic & Theoryofeverything are closely matched on their Newmarket runs this term & it’s hard to know who’ll come out on top. Reach should run a massive race for the Easterbys, it’s just whether his 5lb higher mark will make a difference.
Betting
Trying this distance for the first time, I can’t resist a dabble on Eilean Dubh. He’s never been this far in 35 runs but he’s bred to get it & there’s been a number of races over the last 12 months where he’s been outpaced at a crucial stage so I’m hoping this extra yardage helps. He has excellent form at York, will like the ground & has a perfect draw in 5. He had a really productive season in 2022 winning 4 times off marks ranging from 77 to 90 but last season he only got his head in front once (off 92). He certainly seems to have a ceiling as he’s only once made the frame off a mark higher than that, & interestingly, that was here at York. He’s now dropped back down below 90 for the first time in 2 years & that, coupled with the return to York, makes him a cracking bet in a hot race.
Tips
Back Eilean Dubh (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 12.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-5)
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