John Gosden came to our rescue again on Thursday when Eastern Belle won the Listed race at Newbury. Unfortunately his runner in the handicap could not land the double but the early 7-2 was enough to keep our noses in front.
It is all about quantity rather than quality at York on Friday with the usual mixture of maiden races and wide open handicaps. Not surprisingly, the top yards are keeping their powder dry for Royal Ascot next week.
There are still some promising types on show in the mile and a quarter three-year-old handicap at 2.30 and preference is just for Richard Hannon’s Tabreek. The chestnut colt has only raced twice, following up his promising debut run at the Craven meeting with a victory at Newmarket the following month.
He was forced to battle hard to fend off the persistent challenge of Venezia by a neck but both look capable of winning their share of races. The early money has been for Luca Cumani’s Newmarket winner Connecticut who is an obvious threat while Arabian Comet is on a hat-trick after winning a couple of minor contests.
True Pleasure looks generously priced as she bids for a hat-trick in the 3.40 race. She is one of four last time out winners in the field and ought to be well exposed at the age of seven. However, I liked the style of her win at Catterick last time and she is worth a bet at double-figure odds.
The big danger is probably Dusky Queen who represents the Richard Fahey – Ryan Moore combination. She is already a course and distance winner although she had precious little to spare.
The pick of the action over at Sandown is the fillies handicap at 3.15 with Token Of Love expected to make up for her Newbury defeat. It was a messy race won by Aertex and she will not have been suited by the slow early pace. The field spread across the track when the pace quickened and she was doing all of her best work at the finish.
The danger here is the improving Ghinia who bolted up at Newmarket despite hanging away from the whip. The handicapper has put her up 8lbs and that may just be enough to give Token Of Love the edge.
Tabreek 2.30 York at 11-2 BetBright
True Pleasure 3.40 York at 11-1 Bet Victor, Coral
Token Of Love 3.15 Sandown 11-8 Stan James
