You can tell when the turf season is coming to a close when the races are being won by horses that were beaten by half the length of the street last time out! Old Town Boy was beaten 32 lengths last time while Miami Carousel was beaten 14 lengths when last of six, yet both were good enough to win at York on Friday!
The change in the going plays a big part and the ground remains soft ahead of Saturday’s card. The action gets under way at 1.50 with a mile handicap for three-year-olds. Empress Ali was a 20-1 shot when beating Master Of Finance at Chester last time and can confirm the form on 2lbs worse terms. She has already won on heavy ground and is hard to fault after being in the first two in each of her last four starts.
First Flight will be a popular choice in the second race after chasing home Air Pilot at Newbury in soft ground. Richard Hughes gave him a lot to do that day but he overhauled all bar the well handicapped winner and the handicapper has only pushed him up 2lbs. The winner was ante-post favourite for the Cambridgeshire but missed the cut so this looks a gilt-edged opportunity for the Godolphin horse.
Charming Thought has been taken out of the 2.55 race which could leave the way clear for Bond’s Girl to follow up her Doncaster victory. She had two lengths to spare over Mattmu that day and meets that rival on the same terms. Mattmu ran a fine race to beat all bar Limato at Redcar last week but there seems no obvious reason for him to reverse Doncaster form.
Finding the winner of the Coral Sprint Trophy at 3.30 may be rather like looking for a needle in a haystack! Twenty battle-hardened sprinters line up for the six-furlong dash including a fascinating re-match between Spinatrix and Supplicant, first and second at Ripon in September. They also meet on the same terms while Seeking Magic is allowed 2lbs for his half a length fourth. Ryan Tate also claims 3lbs off his back but he has no form on soft ground.
One who won’t mind the ground is Aetna who looked unlucky last time at Newmarket when third to Secret Hint. She appeared to stumble when starting her run and never really saw daylight until it was too late. A course and distance winner on soft ground in May, she is the selection.
Empress Ali 1.50 @6-1 Coral
First Flight 2.20 @4-1 Boyle Sports
Bond’s Girl 2.50 @4-1 Bet365
Aetna 3.30 @4-1 Ladbrokes
