After the rain yesterday, the York going is now Good. Intermittent showers, some heavy, are forecast during the afternoon.

We have two races to look at this afternoon, starting with the Gimcrack and then the Ebor. I will be finalising my prices after getting a course report at lunchtime.

3.25 York

Blue Point is an early season noted horse who sets the form standard. He was strongly fancied when showing inexperience and just being touched off by Mehmas at Goodwood.

After that race Charlie Appleby commented: “Blue Point has been asked to go about his business and I was really pleased when Frankie’s horse came to him and we quickened and got that neck up on him. But Mehmas just has that experience and was able to outbattle us in the end. He will come forward for that for sure. He is still a very talented horse.”

Faces unexposed and progressive opposition today but expected to go close.

My provisional tissue:

Blue Point  5/2

Mokarris    5/1

Mubtasim  5/1

 

 

4.00 York

Just on £175,000 on offer to the winner of this ultra-competitive handicap. With the long time ante-post favourite Ivan Grozny out  through injury, the race has an even more open feel about it.

Current favourite is Antiquarium still looks to be progressing. A favourite has not won this race since 1998.

Top Tug is a stayer who may find himself outpaced at the finish.

Heartbreak City has shown marked improvement over hurdles and is respected.

I like She Is No Lady, who ran an excellent race on latest start at Sandown early last month. The form of which is fairly solid. She can improve further. Anything double figures has been nibbled at this morning, I would wait until the market gets fully going later and we can see how the ground is riding.

 

With luck the weather may not interfere too badly and we will have a true test of ability this afternoon.