The pick of the prices on Day 3 at York....

Thursday, 18th May 2023

The pick of the prices on Day 3 at York….

Today is Day 2 at the Dante meeting at York….

…. which means the Lindum over the 5f trip and the Hambleton around the turning mile….

I sent out my betting advice for this afternoon’s races yesterday. If you missed it, you’ll find it here….

I go out early doors with my advice in the hope of bagging the best of the prices about my race selections….

Sometimes it comes off. Other times it doesn’t….

… but because I go out early with my selections, we’re always a little ahead of the game here at ATC….

The flag hasn’t been raised on Day 2 – and I’m already thinking about Day 3….

…. which means the Knights Solicitors Handicap over the 10f trip….

Let’s get down to it….

• In the Knights…. 

The Knights Solicitors Handicap is a trappy old race at 3.00 tomorrow….

There are plenty in the 13-runner field with questions to answer – and quite  few making their first appearance of the campaign….

I did spend quite a bit of time looking at David O’Meara’s Eeetee – who steps up to this level for the first time after landing a C4 handicap at Haydock last time….

…. but he’s been well enough found in the market….

…. and in the end my decision is to stick with MAJESTIC – a horse I’ve highlighted in my Handicappers In Focus columns – who can be backed at a generous 14s & 12s….

Last season’s Cambridgeshire winner ran a cracker in the Lincoln at Doncaster on ground that wouldn’t have been ideal….

…. and went into the Suffolk Stakes back at Newmarket with connections in quite bullish mood – reporting him to be in flying form and with an outstanding chance….

It didn’t pan out, the rain fell in bucket loads, and – whilst the official going was described as good to soft – the description changed after that race to outright soft….

…. which likely didn’t suit….

It could be that his Lincoln run was a flash in the pan….

…. that it took too much out of him….

…. or that the 6lb he was raised for winning the Cambridgeshire has put the stopper on him….

…. and that confidence ahead of the Suffolk was misplaced….

It could also be that the yard has gone off the boil. I note that Jack Channon hasn’t had a winner in the last fortnight – with 22 runners over the period….

But they did think – and I can’t see how they’d get it so wrong - they had him in very good shape going into Newmarket for what would have been a serious early-season objective….

… and before I think about writing him off, I want to give him the opportunity to tackle the 10f on ground that will suit – which he should get tomorrow….

I can see the potential for the bet to go wrong. But – in a race where I can’t make too strong a case for many of the runners – the big price encourages me to swing the bat….

• The last word….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my selections for Saturday’s handicap action….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose, or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd