The pick of the prices at York & Sandown....

Friday, 16th June 2023

The pick of the prices at York & Sandown….

Royal Ascot starts on Tuesday….

…. and I’ll be targeting the handicaps across all 5-days of the meeting….

We’re talking about ultra-competitive races….

…. each one attracting a massive field….

…. of unexposed types….

…. group horses dropping down a level….

…. more experienced types that are potentially well-handicapped again….

…. horses that have been seriously targeted at the race….

…. and plenty of contestants fit and firing in their races….

In short, these races are tough betting puzzles to crack….

…. but crack them I must….

And – in any case – we wouldn’t want it too easy, would we?

What would be the fun in that?

Ahead of Ascot, we’ve got tomorrow’s action to deal with….

I’m targeting the Sprint Handicap at York (3.40) – a 6f race for the 3yo horses rated 0 to 105. A field of 21 goes to post….

…. and I’m having a bet in the Aspall Cyder 1728 Handicap at Sandown (2.15) – a C2 for horses aged 3yo+ and rated 0 to 100 over the right-handed mile. Thirteen go to post….

Let’s get down to it….

• In the Sprint Handicap (3.40)….

I’m two-against-the-field in this 21-runner event….

If you just like backing one per race WASHINGTON HEIGHTS would be my nap at the general 8s….

Two runs back he got to within 3 lengths of Shaquille at Newmarket off 88. That one’s risen 17lbs up the rankings since. Washington Heights is just 2lb higher on 90 and you’d think he can run a big off that mark….

Next time he bumped into another one in fast-improving Quinault. He got beaten a length that day – giving away 9lbs. And the form’s been franked since by the 4th that day – Funny Story (up 6lbs to 93)….

Which brings me to my second pick – SPIRIT OF APPLAUSE at the general 16s….

He was just a length behind Funny Story that day at Nottingham – with the rest a fair way back. He’s up 3lb for it – and it’s never ideal to be raised in defeat….

…. but the quick ground has improved him of late and – off a revised mark of 85 – I think he’s got more to give yet….

David Allan resumes in the saddle – replacing a 3lb claimer despite the horse going up in the handicap….

…. and he’s trained by Tim Easterby – a trainer with track record in this race….

…. his last dozen runners produced three wins and a place….

Something else I like about these horses – they’re running out of low stalls that have had the advantage in this race over the last decade….

• In the Aspall Cyder 1728 – (2.15)….

Andrew Balding’s ZU RUN attracted money when he made his handicap debut at York last month – just his second appearance on turf….

He didn’t justify the faith – finishing 9th of 14 and beaten 5.25 lengths off an opening mark of 89….

But he hadn’t been seen since September and the outing will have done him no harm. He’ll be a fitter horse for it at Sandown tomorrow….

And though Oisin Murphy kept him to his work in the closing stages at York – he wasn’t given a hard time of it once the principals had gone….

He gave the impression a step up in trip would suit – and he gets his first crack at the mile tomorrow….

He’s down a pound to 88 and I think he’s going to be plenty better than that….

He’s potentially a well-handicapped and he’s open to mounds of improvement – some of which he might well find up at the mile tomorrow and with that York run under his belt….

The general 10s is fair enough….

• The last word….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back in your inbox over the weekend with something for Royal Ascot….

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

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

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd