Wednesday, 17th August 2022
There was plenty of rain around on Tuesday night – but pretty much all of it missed York….
They got just 3mm and the track rode quick enough this afternoon for the opening day card. There’s no rain forecast for this evening or ahead of racing tomorrow….
Of course, things can change quickly but – as it stands right now – we can expect a decent surface to race on again tomorrow….
On to the Day 2 betting business – and just the one race of betting interest tomorrow….
I’m sticking with my old friend Michael Dods in the Clipper Logistics Handicap at 3.00….
He has such a great record in these York handicaps – and I see no reason to oppose the stat angles I highlighted in the build up to the meeting….
He’s got two in this mile event – BRUNCH & NORTHERN EXPRESS. Neither is an each-way price in my book….
…. Brunch is up at 9s and 10s whilst Northern Express can be backed at 11s and 12s….
I’ll be going two-against-the-field – betting win only and foregoing the opportunity to play for the place money….
Northern Express gets weight from everything. He appreciates a turning track – and that’s a feature of his profile that makes his last-time-out performance in the International Stakes at Ascot all the more likeable….
He was 4th of the 22 over the straight 7f trip that day – beaten not very far at all by the high-quality trio Fresh, Bless Him and Dark Shift….
Tomorrow’s race requires him to last another furlong – but he finished off strong in the closing stages at Ascot and the bend at York will help….
The form of that Ascot race has worked out well – producing multiple subsequent winners. And – whilst the 4yo might be considered unfortunate to go up 3lbs in defeat – a mark of 95 means he still well treated on the best of his York form….
Brunch gives weight all around. But he’s a classy type with a strong record in these big-field open handicaps – a record that suggests he’s more than capable of getting competitive off a mark of 106 tomorrow afternoon….
He’s not been overworked this term – just three runs since April. He swerved Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood and I’d be tempted to take the view that this race has been his primary target this term….
Note: If you just wanted to back the one horse – then Brunch would be my pick of the two….
Each-way backers take note: Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 7. You can get 1/5 the first 6 generally….
Nick’s Dark Horses….To recap on my idea of the dark horses capable of running big races at tasty prices in the big handicaps tomorrow afternoon…. In the Clipper Logistics Handicap (3.00 @ York)….
Advised prices are correct at the time my column is submitted for publication. But prices are subject to fluctuation. There’s nothing I can do about that. Be sure to consult Oddschecker – you may find a quote better than advised…. |
That’s all for today. Back tomorrow….
Meanwhile – enjoy the racing. It’s not life and death – it’s a game we play for fun. It’s good sometimes to remind ourselves of that fact….
Stay tuned.
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