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

Friday, 23rd August 2024

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

If you missed yesterday’s column containing selections for this afternoon – Day 3 at York’s Ebor meeting – you can catch up here….

I’m already thinking about Day 4….

…. which means the Ebor (3.35) – the most valuable flat handicap in Europe with a full field of 22 slated to run….

…. the Constantine (4.10) over the 6f trip – with 19 in the reckoning….

…. and the Finale (5.20) over the 10f trip – offering 17 runners the chance to end the meeting on a high….

It’s a proper big day for big-field handicap punters….

Let’s get down to it….

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In the Ebor – 3.35….

I‘m backing David O’Meara’s IRON LION at the general 40s & 33s….

This is a big step up in class….

…. and a step up in trip….

But they’ve talked about him for the Melbourne Cup….

…. Jamie Spencer’s been on his back and thinks he’ll stay….

…. and they had him in the 2m race the other day – only pulling him out there when they realised they were going to sneak in towards the foot of the weights for this….

He’s seriously progressive – having won three time this term….

…. I think he’s got loads more to come off a mark of 95….

…. he’s getting loads of weight….

…. and the lower order in the handicap do tend to do well in this race….

…. 20 of the last 30 horses to make the first five wore a double-figure saddle cloth….

The ground is a worry – it’s factored into the price….

…. but there are bits of rain about, weather forecasts can go either way….

…. and – given he’s such a big price and there are plenty of places to play for – I’m happy to take a risk and swing the bat….
 
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In the Constantine – 4.10….

STRIKE RED is well-handicapped right now and eminently backable at the general 20s….

He’s down to 93 – just a pound above the mark he won a valuable course and distance handicap from back in 2022….

…. 2lb below the mark he won off at the Curragh last July….

…. and he’s been showing signs of late that he’s ready to strike….

He’s another one that could do with some of the wet stuff falling….

…. but he ran a very good race in the Steward’s Cup at Goodwood under tomorrow’s jockey….

…. and sooner or later he’s going to go in

Tomorrow is good a day as any to be onside at a big price with places to play for….

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In the Finale – 5.20….

You never quite know where you are with the Johnston horses….

…. with performance levels dipping and rising from run-to-run….

KILLYBEGS WARRIOR started the season off very well – posting three 100+ RPRs on the bounce….

…. before his form dropped away through the mid-summer period….

But the last twice he’s shown signs of life – producing an RPR of 100 at Windsor last time….

…. and he might just be ready to capitalize on a mark that’s fallen all the way to 95 – from a career-high of 103….

…. and he’s 7lb below the mark he was 4th from in this race last year on quick ground….

Like I say, you never quite know where you are with the Johnston horses but the signs are in place and – at a general 14s – so is the price….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back in your inbox next week….

Meantime – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd