Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at York, Chester and Goodwood on Saturday. View selections below.
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NAKEETA (3.35) has been sparingly campaigned by Iain Jardine and will go to post with a live each-way chance in the Betfred Ebor Handicap at York.
The Scottish trainer hit the crossbar last year with runner-up Shrewd and Nakeeta will go close if reproducing his excellent second to Dal Harraild over course and distance at the May meeting. Callum Rodriguez is good value for his 5lb claim but will need to be on his mettle to overcome a wide draw.
Ivan Grozny bids to give Willie Mullins his second Ebor scalp, with Jim Crowley donning the familiar Graham Wylie silks.
Last seen on the flat at the 2016 Galway Festival when scoring by 14 lengths, Ivan Grozny had an unfortunate return there over hurdles in July, being brought down at the first flight in the Galway Hurdle. Mullins, who won this race in 2009 with Sesenta, has kept Ivan Grozny in top company over hurdles and the gelding could be on an attractive handicap mark on the Flat.
Scarlet Dragon, a winner over an extended 10 furlongs at this fixture last year, ran a cracker at Goodwood when filling the minor place behind the 113-rated Poet’s Word and is worth considering along with Seamour, fifth last year but drawn very wide here, and fourth home Battersea.
Ante-post favourite Flymetothestars also has a difficult post position to overcome but ran very well in the Northumberland Plate, taking third after failing to find much racing room down the straight. This will be his first run on turf.
Drying ground boosts the chances of SECRET ADVISOR (2.25) in the Betfred Melrose Handicap run over the Ebor trip of 1m 6f.
The Godolphin gelding finished third to St Leger hope Stradivarius in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot before getting bogged down in the Goodwood mud when a disappointing favourite. Secret Advisor has had only five career starts and is open to a bit more improvement.
Jardine saddles TOR with an each-way chance judged on the gelding’s improved effort when making all to score convincingly at Chester.
Intellect has been hammered with a 12lb rise for his nine-length Newbury romp but is clearly an improving three-year-old hailing from the Sir Michael Stoute yard.
Jim Goldie’s NICHOLAS T (4.40) is stepped up two furlongs after running second at the recent Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot.
The ground was a bit softer than is ideal for Nicholas T and it should be a bit better on the Knavesmire after another drying day. The son of Arc winner Rail Link could well improve again for this extra yardage.
At Chester, KENSTONE (4.15) has a handy weight near the foot of the handicap, with Finley Marsh taking off 7lb. Stall three is a terrific draw and hopefully the Roodee won’t have dried up too much as Kenstone enjoys some cut underfoot.
At Goodwood, the Queen’s colt CALL TO MIND (3.55) should benefit from the step up to 1m 6f in the Revival March Stakes. His staying-on third to Defoe and Frankuus in the Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton could hardly have worked out any better.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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