York stages a seven-race card on Friday with the going now officially soft after the midweek rain. There is a real end of season feel to the flat racing now with large fields as trainers try to get a run out of their horses before the winter sets in.
Acolyte looks as though he has the potential to be more than a 78 rated horse in the opening nursery for Roger Charlton. He finished third to the Group 2 winner Elm Park on his debut at Newbury before winning nicely at Kempton and he looks weighted to get us off to a winning start in the 2.00. The danger may come from The Wispe who was given a typically patient ride by Graham Lee last time out and sneaks in a the foot of the handicap.
The second race is a real cavalry charge with twenty runners over five furlongs. Bogart should go close under Amy Ryan after his excellent run at Ayr but I am siding with Long Awaited for David Barron. His “long suffering” supporters have been waiting for him to land a big sprint for some time but the omens were good at Haydock last time out when he stayed on well into fourth place and the yard are firing on all cylinders.
GM Hopkins looks very progressive for John Gosden and bids to defy a 9lbs rise in the weights in the featured mile handicap at 3.00. The horse was very impressive in a much tougher race at Newmarket last time out and will handle the soft ground without any problem. He certainly looks the least exposed in this field and can make it four wins on the bounce.
Kings Bayonet has been a good servant to the Alan King stable in the familiar Ponsonby colours and can land the 4.05 race under Hayley Turner. He was forced to switch around horses last time when a close fourth at Haydock and he is not the quickest animal in training. The danger is probably Emerahldz for Richard Fahey who has been very consistent all season.
Finally, Shouranour can provide the in-form David O’Meara with another winner in the closing apprentice handicap at 5.10. He got off the mark in fine style at Ayr last time over a mile but was pulling a cart with a furlong to travel and the drop back in trip won’t trouble him. The 9lbs rise in the handicap is more of a concern but he looks the pick of four runners in the race for the local trainer.
Acolyte 2.00 @7-2 Betfair
Long Awaited 2.30 @12-1 Bet365
GM Hopkins 3.00 @5-2 Ladbrokes
Kings Bayonet 4.05 @8-1 Ladbrokes
Shouranour 5.10 @13-2 BetVictor
