Midday dug me out today on what was an otherwise unsuccessful afternoon on the Knavesmire.
There is a tricky old handicap to start things off at York tomorrow with the Melrose Stakes at 1.45. The grey Berling won his first two starts of the season but has been a beaten favourite on his last 3 starts. He wears blinkers for the first time tomorrow which may galvanise him into a better performance but he does not appeal as one to trust and I will look elsewhere for my selection. The lightly raced Desert Sage was outclassed in the Irish Oaks but had earlier won a maiden at Chepstow on fast ground. Comedy Act has won 3 times this season but is now 11 lbs higher than his highest winning mark. Green Lightning won well at Newmarket wearing first time headgear. He had shown signs of temperament and it remains to be seen if the blinkers will work a second time. This is clearly a tough handicap but I will side with Green Lightning partnered by Joe Fanning who has won on him twice from 3 rides.
I have been following Distant Memories this season and had hopes that eh would progress into a Group performer but he has been a bit disappointing recently and will in any event not have his favoured ground in the 2.15 tomorrow. I fancy another horse that I have been following, Rainbow Peak who won impressively at Royal Ascot.
I am not sure there is much value to be had in the Nunthorpe but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Equiano turn the tables on Starspangledbanner.
In the concluding race of the meeting I would look for some value among the higher priced horses. The Richard Fahey pair of Cosmic Sun and Lady Luachmar are interesting as is Hawk Mountain.
My only selections away from York are Skyrider in the 7.35 at Salisbury and Kenyan Cat in the Wolverhampton 8.50.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jo Stockdale.
ahorse 