The pick of the prices on Day 4 at York....

Friday, 25th August 2023

The pick of the prices on Day 4 at York….

It’s Day 3 at York’s Ebor meeting….

…. which means the Sky Bet Handicap at 1.50….

…. and the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap at 4.10….

My selections for those races were distributed yesterday – you’ll find them here….

This morning I’m focused on Day 4….

…. there are three high-quality races of betting interest tomorrow….

…. the Ebor at 3.35….

…. the Constantine at 4.10….

…. and the Finale at 5.20….

Let’s get on with it….

• In the Ebor – 3.35….

I’m backing SCRIPTWRITER at the 14s in the Ebor at 3.35….

He’s only had two goes this term….

…. first at Kempton where he ran down the field – racing wide and to the rear in a race where it developed up front….

…. and next time at York in the John Smith’s Silver Cup – where he got a first-time looksee at tomorrow’s course and distance….

…. and where he ran serial Group-race performer Hamish (officially rated 117) to a head off 103 (in receipt of 3lb)….

Trainer Milton Harris sees this lad a Group horse – and it’s hard to argue given what the dual-purpose performer’s put into the book when operating on turf…. 
 
The Ebor is the stated seasonal target for this horse – he’s been kept fresh and I expect him to be bang on for the job tomorrow….

Harris has talked about getting the horse into the Melbourne Cup – via the automatic entry that a win in tomorrow’s race would confer….

That’s fighting talk – and it would be dreamland for Harris if it worked out that way….

The market prefers the chances of several others….

…. but if this lad (tuned-up especially for tomorrow) can replicate his best then he goes well….

…. if he can improve, then he’s going to go very close….

• In the Constantine – 4.10….

Michael Dods has an excellent record with his top handicappers at York….

…. and I’m backing his GALE FORCE MAYA at 10s to put additional polish on the figures in the Constantine at 4.10….

Her last nine runs have been in Pattern races – against her own sex and the boys….

… she’s won a couple at Listed level and she’s run with credit in Group races without managing to finish in front….

… truth is she’s probably not quite at that level….

But she can certainly go well back in the handicap division and her mark has dropped to 102 from a high of 107….

…. the handicapper having taken his time to start shaving off the points because the mare is so consistent and gritty….

The last time she ran in a handicap was over tomorrow’s course and distance – in the Sky Bet Dash last July….

…. where she ran out the winner of 104….

She’s well-handicapped, she loves the track, the ground is right up her street and she’s got a big chance if she runs her race….

• In the Finale – 5.20….

SYMBOL OF LIGHT at 15/2 is the Pick in the Finale at 5.20….

He was 3/3 on the AW over the winter – the last a handicap that earned him a 5lb raise from 92 to 97….

During the close season he moved from Charlie Appleby to Julie Camacho – having been sold for 60,000 guineas – and had a wind-op….

Given plenty of time to acclimatise and recover, his first run back at Newcastle was promising – he finished 4/10 beaten a neck with a performance that is a joint career-best on RPRs….

There simply has to be more to come and you’d think – given how he sees out the mile trip – that tomorrow’s step up to 10f can unlock those reserves….

If he can avoid the dreaded bounce then he’s a big player tomorrow on what is just his second turf start….

Oisin Murphy is booked for the ride – a sign of intention or expectation (or both) in my book….

That’s all for today….

Back next time….

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

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

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd