The main meetings tomorrow are at York and Sandown. I will start tonight’s preview at the Knavesmire and the 2.40. Distant Memories has only had 8 career starts and has only been out of the first 2 twice. He was second on his seasonal reappearance in a race at Pontefract that has worked out quite well . He wouldn’t want the ground too quick but the unsettled weather this week should ensure that it is not too firm. My only real concern would be the form of the stable as they have not had a winner for a while. He has to be the selection though.
I do not have a strong view on the big handicap at 3.15. I am inclined to go for Midnight Martini who ticks the right boxes. She is a course and distance winner, acts on any ground, rarely runs a bad race and comes from a stable that had a winner today. Outsiders of interest are Side Glance and Tamintoul Singer.
The 3.50 looks an open race and half the field could be given a live chance. Rebel Soldier, the Newmarket challenger won on his only start last season but made no impact on his reappearance at Newbury in April. He runs over a longer trip here and could be a well handicapped horse. Frankie Dettori rides which is a plus. Solicitor is having his first run of the season and is another with what looks a reasonable handicap mark. Ejteyaaz was a strong finishing runner up at Newcastle last month and based on past form will be best with some give in the ground.
There is a distinctly nautical flavour to the 5.25 with Venture Cove, Bosun Breese, Sea Rover and Atlantic Beach in the line up. Atlantic Beach has been running well and comes from a stable that is in fine form at present. He looks the one most likely to land the spoils.
Revered won a back end maiden at HQ last season and looked a decent prospect. With further improvement likely she should go well in the 1.45 at Sandown. Muwakaba holds a Group 1 entry and on that basis should be competitive in the handicap at 2.20 off a mark of 87.
Racy has run well in a couple of handicaps at Newmarket this season and is dropped in class in the 6.30 at Leicester where he looks weighted to win.
Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.
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