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

Friday, 22nd August 2025

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

Selections for Day 3 at York….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in the big handicaps on Day 4 at York….

I’m on MAJESTIC WARRIOR in the 3.35 at York – up at 16s & 14s….

…. I’m on CHIEF MANKATO at 16s & MILFORD at 16s in the 4.10 at York….

…. I’m on ERZINDJAN at 10s in the 5.20 at York….

…. and I’m on PALMAR BAY at 20s, 18s & 16s in the 2.05 at Goodwood….

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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Boldness is very much the theme in today’s column….

…. and it starts in the Ebor at York tomorrow (3.35) where trainer James Tate runs MAJESTIC WARRIOR – who I want to back at the 14s & 16s….

Back at Thirsk in May he won a pretty modest race – his first go for almost two years….

…. and he hasn’t been seen since because the trainer wanted to preserve his mark of 98 for this….

…. the most valuable flat handicap in Europe….

That’s pretty bold given that his horse has only run four times and lacks experience….

Of course, inexperienced horses have won this race before – and will do so again….

…. but – case by case – it’s in the proving….

…. and Majestic Warrior must prove he’s got what it takes tomorrow….

For my money, he’s a really good horse and there’s every chance he’ll step up….

He won in a really stylish manner at Thirsk – powering away from the opposition (albeit relatively modest)….

…. and whilst he’s up 9lbs it could be the case that the rise doesn’t even touch the sides – it’s certainly worth noting that the second horse home that day has gone up 7lb in the meantime….

There was no attempt to reduce the winning margin by his jockey that day, Clifford Lee – it’s almost as if they intended to go up as much as possible in the rankings to ensure getting in here….

…. and there was no shortage of gas in the tank at the end of the 12f trip – the suggestion being that he’ll improve again for tomorrow’s extra quarter mile….

I reckon he has the potential to be a big player, I like the confidence and boldness behind the plan, and I like the price – so I’m being bold myself….

…. oh, and I’m not worried about the wide draw – here’s why ….

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More boldness from me in the Constantine at 4.10 where I’m going two-against the-field….

…. because I can’t bring myself to dispense with either of the last two on my shortlist….

First up, the in-form Jack Channon’s CHIEF MANKATO at the general 16s….

He’s been in decent form over the summer….

…. successfully stepping up in class last time at Windsor – where he defeated Trefor (who registered a win for this column on Wednesday)….

He kept to his task really well having had a decent gallop to aim at – and he’ll get another solid gallop to target tomorrow from a decent part of the draw….

He’s up 5lb for that last win. That’s a rise I reckon he can overcome. He’s a horse in a good place right now and he can be backed at a generous price….

The other one I want in the book is the 3yo MILFORD – also at the general 16s….

He’s on the other side of the track – meaning my race portfolio is diversified – and he’s another horse in decent heart at the right time….

He went up to 95 last year for placing in a Listed contest and you could look at that and say it was harsh….

But he’s been knocking on the door all summer and he produced a personal best last time having been stepped back to the 6f trip by trainer Julie Camacho for his last two runs….

He ran into  Prince Of India that last day at Ascot and was only overhauled inside the last half furlong – beaten just a length at the post and with all but one other runner 4l+ in arrears to the winner….

I reckon Prince Of India will be running in top Group sprints before too much longer – so it’s reasonable form in my book….

This is tougher and Milford’s up 3lb – but I think there’s more to come and I reckon the 6f at York might suit him just that bit better than the 6f at Ascot….   

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In the Finale (5.10) I’m backing ERZINDJAN at the general 10s….

He ran an absolute belter at a big price in the John Smith’s Cup last time – finishing 4/18 and beaten just 2-lengths….

…. and you can mark the performance up given that it was his first go for almost a year….

…. his first go for new trainer TJ Kent….

…. and that he produced his performance from much further back than the horses that finished in front of him….

He really did power home late – suggesting to me that he’s well-handicapped on his mark of 99….

…. and – let’s not forget – there was a time when he was running in plenty of Group races with a mark as high as 109….

The John Smith’s Cup – always competitive and tough to win – is a hell of race in which to start a horse back from a year-long break on his first go for you….

Reading between the lines I reckon TJ Kent knows he’s got a serious and well-handicapped tool on his hands….

…. I don’t think there was anything flukey about that last performance….

…. and I reckon he’s a player tomorrow over the same course and distance – having been given time to recover….

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I’m backing PALMAR BAY at 20s, 18s & 16s in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap at Goodwood (2.05)….

…. because I’m just not grasping that big price and his lowly standing in the market….

He travelled as strong as you like, quickened up in the straight, and won with real authority at Chester earlier this month….

…. in common parlance he p****d up….

Yes, he’s up 6lb to a career high mark of 96….

…. but the manner of that Chester win suggests that the revised mark is within his compass….

…. even without the placement of Jack Dace (a useful 5lb claimer whose been winning his share of races of late) in the saddle – which pretty much negates the rise….

Yes, he’s stepping up in levels here….

…. and perhaps I’m over-egging the horse….

…. but had you watched this horse win at Chester, you wouldn’t be thinking he’s a 20s shot in another handicap next time out with the benefit of that first run off a break….

At least I wouldn’t  and – at the price – I’ve got to back him….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

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

Stay tuned….

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