The feature race at York is the Sky Bet York Stakes which is being billed as a stroll in the park for Mukhadram after his gallant efforts against Al Kazeem. Needless to say, I won’t be snapping up the 4-7 but it is interesting that Paul Hanagan is so keen to retain his partnership with the colt that is prepared to forego a decent ride in the King George.
Those of us who shy away from odds-on “certainties” have a few interesting options here. I went for Wigmore Hall at Newmarket and immediately read an article by his trainer who more or less said that he was not fit! Presumably he has worked himself into better condition here but Apache could be more interesting. He is trained by Mick De Kock who has a habit of turning good horses into even better ones. He’s won and been placed at Meydan so he could give the favourite a run for his money.
Old Smarty Socks goes again in the 2.20 and he looks sure to go well after being desperately unlucky not to collect last time. The old boy could have gone to Ascot for the big handicap so this is an easier option. Even so, I’m a little surprised to see him as short as 4-1 in the betting and I’m going to go for another course specialist in Navajo Brave.
He has won on his last three trips to York including the Hambleton Handicap. The form book says the going was good but it was actually run in a tropical storm! He does have top weight but young Murphy takes off 5lbs and he’s more my kind of price at 9-1.
If you are looking for an impossible race to solve then take a look at the Sky Bet Dash! Apart from Nocturn earlier in the season I haven’t really had much joy with the sprinters this season but I think David Simcock may have laid out Gramercy for this. He was second in it last year when finishing like a train and his three runs this season suggest that he’s ready to produce his best. There is still a bit of 20-1 about.
Navajo Brave 9-1 Bet365
Apache 7-1 Stan James
Gramercy 20-1 Stan James
