Two selections for Friday at York & Newbury....

Thursday, 15th May 2025

Two selections for Friday at York & Newbury….

Picks for this afternoon at York….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in handicaps at York and at Newbury on Friday….

…. I’m on WESTERTON at 20s, 18s & 16s in the 2.42 at York….

…. and I’m on SOVEREIGN SEA at 11s in the 2.25 at Newbury….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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Alan King’s WESTERTON is an interesting contender at the general 20s,18s & 16s for tomorrow’s Knights Solicitors Handicap at York – 2.42….

I think his return effort at Goodwood can be marked better than it appears as bare facts on paper….

He lost ground at the start…. he raced at the rear…. he was still at the back turning into the straight….

…. and – when looking to make a move on the straight – he hit the wall of horses so typical at Goodwood…. and couldn’t find outs when he needed them….

Even so, Hollie Doyle showed every sign of wanting to get him out….

…. Westerton gave the impression that the juice was there if the gaps had appeared when they were needed….

…. and it wasn’t your typical 6.25 length defeat….

He wasn’t given a tough time in the closing stages – because it just wasn’t happening on the day….

…. but he still logged an RPR he’s only surpassed twice before….

…. and – when you think he should strip fitter for the run – he could be in a better place than his price suggests….

I think he’s on a nice mark too….

You could make the case that he was harshly treated after his maiden win at Sandown when the official handicapper put him up 9lb to 92….

…. but he dealt with that mark at Newmarket the time after – and I think he was more harshly treated when put up 7lb to 100 after running second at Doncaster at the back end of his 3yo season….

Four turf runs later he’s back down to 90 – 3lb lower than on that last outing to Goodwood – and he’s simply got to be in well-handicapped territory over the 10f trip on quick ground….

…. and if he runs up to his best level shown – or beyond – then he’s going to be there or thereabouts….

I just think he’s a nice price – all things considered….

Roger Varian’s SOVEREIGN SEA is a horse to be on the right side of this term….

…. and I’m backing him for tomorrow’s Titan Wealth Handicap at Newbury – 2.25 – at the general 11s….

He can move on from a mark of 85 now that he’s been switched to turf and stepped up to the 10f trip – from mile trips on the AW….

He’s had four goes on the AW across the winter – and in each of the last three he’s looked like a horse that will improve for tomorrow’s extra quarter mile….

It might be that he’ll improve for the run on the back of a short break that’s clearly been designed to give him a breather and help him get through what will be a busy summer….

But I want to catch him first-time-up and if it doesn’t go to plan – in what is a competitive race with plenty of improving horses lining up – I would reckon on getting compensation a little further down the line….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with picks for the action on Saturday….

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

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd