Saturday at York & Sandown....

Friday, 13th June 2025

Saturday at York & Sandown….

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In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in the weekend’s biggest betting heats….

The Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap is the feature handicap at York tomorrow….

…. the off time is 3.35….

…. and my pick of the prices is HUCKLESBROOK at 20s & 18s….

I’m also on PALMAR BAY in the 1.50 at York – he’s up at 7s….

…. I’m on MY DREAM WORLD at 17/2 in the 2.25 at York….

…. and I’m on URBAN LION at 5s & 9/2 in the 2.05 at Sandown….

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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HUCKLESBROOK is a big price at the 20s & 18s for the Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap at York (3.35)….

He’s up 7lb to 88 for his win at Leicester at the end of last month – and the form of that contest is untested at this stage….

But he won it well – putting in a much-improved performance following a decent showing at Ascot the time before that he probably needed….

…. and – on the eye – he won with a fair bit in hand that last time…. 

…. certainly, enough to suggest that he’s still at the right end of the weights on a mark short of the 90s….

I see them forming an arrowhead formation tomorrow – with the lion’s share of the early pace situated up the middle….

Roger Teal’s charge – with Joanna Mason up – is right in the thick of that middle cluster and I think it’s the best place to be….

Bottom line: this is a big field of progressive and unexposed 3yo sprinters and there’s no shortage of candidates….

…. but Hucklesbrook is one that can run a big race at what looks to me a very generous price….

Earlier on the card at York in the Doug Johnston Memorial Ubettabelieveit Macmillan Handicap (1.50) PALMAR BAY is a fair bet at the 7s….

Ralph Beckett’s charge returned off a break to strike at Chelmsford at the beginning of the month – travelling well under Rossa Ryan before putting the race to bed up the inside rail….

He’s up just 3lb for that win to a mark of 90 – and there’s more to come….

…. especially at the trip…. and particularly at the trip on turf….

He’s only had two goes previously at 7f on turf – once as a juvenile when it looked beyond him and the next time on seasonal debut last term….

…. but he’s done very well at 7f on the AW – and if he can transfer that form to turf tomorrow then he’s going to be dangerous….

I reckon it’s a good bit of placement from Beckett – because he’s found an assignment that combines 7f, a left-hander, and quicker ground….

…. which must be somewhere close to the perfect set up for the 4yo….

He starts in stall 2 – so he shouldn’t struggle for position – and I like the booking of William Buick….

In the Queen Mother's Cup at York (2.25) I’m backing MY DREAM WORLD at the general 17/2 (there’s a bit of 10s about with Sky Bet & Paddy Power)….

He was beaten a good 5l on his return at Ascot in May….

…. but that was his first go for 289 days – he’d been gelded in the meantime – and he was out the back early doors in a race that produced a very pedestrian time and a bit of a sprint finish….

That said he finished his race off well – without being knocked about – and I see him going much better tomorrow off sounder earlier fractions and being that bit fitter….

This will be just his third go in handicaps, I can’t believe he’s not well-treated on his mark of 82, and he’s one that can take a step forward tomorrow at a decent price….

Over at Sandown in the Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap (2.05)….

…. I’m minded towards pragmatism and I’m backing Jack Channon’s URBAN LION at the general 5s & 9/2….

It’s not a typical Nick Pullen price – but I backed him in the Spring Cup at Newbury earlier in the season when he found just one too good….

…. and he didn’t do anything that day to put me off him….

Bottom line: I think he’s the best horse in the race tomorrow – the one that’s going to take the beating….

…. and I’d rather back him at 9/2 than reach for something at a bigger price that I don’t rate as the same threat….

He’s up 3lb to 92 for that last effort at Newbury – but I think he’s still plenty in front of the handicapper….

I reckon he’s been kept back for this assignment – Mick Channon won the race back in 2021 with Trais Fluors….

…. and the way he came late on in proceedings at Newbury suggests that the stiff finish tomorrow will play to his strengths….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back on Monday with my picks for Day 1 at Royal Ascot….

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

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

Stay tuned….

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