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

Thursday, 16th May 2024

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

Ahead of this meeting my expectation would have been that EILEAN DUBH would be running in this afternoon’s Hambleton at York over the mile….

Instead he steps up to the 10f trip for the first time in tomorrow’s Knights Solicitors Handicap (2.45)….

…. and with Clifford Lee returning to the saddle on the 6yo for the first time this term, I reckon he’s worth a punt at the general 14s….

Rewatching his best runs last term….

…. winning over the stiff mile at Hamilton in July and then running third behind Blue For You over the mile at tomorrow’s venue….

…. it seems to me he was sticking on soundly in the closing stages of those races….

It might just be that he needs a bit more of a test these days….

…. and I reckon he’s worth a crack over this trip….

He’s been beaten in both runs this term – after undergoing the gelding procedure in the close season….

He looked like he needed the first of those over an inadequate 7f at Musselburgh….

…. but was much better at Thirsk earlier this month (in a first-time visor) on ground with enough cut to perhaps blunt his edge….

The upshot is that he’s dropped 4lbs to a mark of 89….

He won off 92 last term and he’s been competitive off marks several pounds higher….

…. and he could prove nicely handicapped on this first foray into a fresh trip division….

At the price, he rates a swing of the bat….

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Just the one race of interest at York tomorrow….

…. but the Unibet Handicap at Newbury (2.30) is also being shown on ITV – and there’s a bet to be had….

Glam De Vega sits atop the betting this morning at 4s – but is surely opposable on his first run for 640 days….

The one to do it with is MUSTAZEED at the general 8s….

He’s first-time-up too but won two handicaps over course and distance on his first two goes last term – a C4 off 77 and a C3 off 83….

He runs off 88 tomorrow – so he needs to take another step forward….

…. but he’s up against several that haven’t had the benefit of a run – some of which might need it….

…. and there could be more to come from him on a strip he clearly thrives on….

This is his time of the year….

…. Hayley Turner gets a good tune out of him….

…. and a 15-runner field with plenty of horses that like to go forward early is right up his street….

This might just prove to be a canny piece of placement by trainer Harry Eustace….

• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my picks for the action on Saturday at Newbury & Newmarket….

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

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd

P.S. Click here for my advice for this afternoon's races....