It’s a busy old day on Saturday with top class action all over the UK and Ireland. York wraps up its Ebor meeting but the Knavesmire doesn’t have the monopoly on pattern action with top class races taking place at Goodwood, Newmarket, Windsor and the Curragh.
We have five value selections on an absorbing day of racing, starting in Yorkshire with a quality Group 3 but look out for a bonus bet overseas late on Saturday evening:
Embed from Getty Images1.50 York (Strensall Stakes – Group 3) – MUSTASHRY
It’s well documented how good a season the maestro Sir Michael Stoute has had, his flag bearer Poet’s Word improving hand over fist as a 5yo and it will be no surprise if we see the best run yet from another of his from the same generation in this son of Tamayuz.
Having reappeared to win a Listed race at Sandown last month, he has things in his favour here and can take care of the well punted Lord Glitters who probably rates as second best ahead of record-breaking Mark Johnston’s Threading, who remains capable of adding to her impressive tally yet.
The Queen’s runner Seniority has been thrown into this company having won well in handicap grade last time but looks a few pounds short of the very best in what is a strong enough renewal of this race.
2.50 Newmarket (7f Handicap) – HIGHLIGHT REEL
Given that we still have quick conditions around the country including at HQ it wouldn’t surprise me if those at the top of the handicap dominate here, Michael Bell’s Highlight Reel the best of them at the weights for my money.
This horse has been on my mind for such races since his appearance at Newcastle last summer despite him being a beaten favourite that day and so it was no surprise to see him romp home by three lengths over course and distance last time out.
He’s gone up 6lbs for that win but he’s only just showing what he was always capable of and still has a bit in hand, he may prove just too good for the likes of Citron Major and Bullingdon under more than useful 5lb claimer Cameron Noble.
3.00 York (City of York Stakes – Group 3) – EXPERT EYE
I’m sure Sir Michael must be still tearing his hair out regarding this super-talented individual. A quite brilliant winner of the Vintage Stakes (Group 2) on his second career start as a juvenile, he was an early favourite for the 2000 Guineas however a flop in the Dewhurst last backend followed by two under-par runs this term had him marked by some as a monkey.
He blitzed his rivals in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot however, tipped on this column at 8/1, and on the book that rates as his best performance yet as far as I’m concerned so we can’t say he hasn’t trained on as a three-year-old.
His trip was fiddled with again when he went back up to a mile to contest the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and a fine second there proved further what a good horse he is, though the drop in trip to seven furlongs in this race is as important as the drop in grade.
It would be a big disappointment if he were not to win under Frankie Dettori with the admirable Suedois perhaps next best ahead of solid 5yo Tabarrak of Richard Hannon’s yard.
6.15 Windsor (Winter Hill Stakes – Group 3) – FABRICATE
Although we’re trying to get one of the Queen’s horses beaten up at York in the Strensall we are right behind Her Majesty in this 1m2f contest with Fabricate looking too good for this lot, all things being equal.
Not over-raced for a 6yo, he showed his best form earlier this season when beaten only narrowly by King George runner-up Crystal Ocean but was outclassed by Stoute’s other star Poet’s Word next time and after that simply didn’t get his ground (he has a particular liking for quick going).
A poor showing at Royal Ascot can always be forgiven, though there may have been a problem anyway as he has remained off the track since then but is ready to return and could make a mockery of this.
Global Giant and First Sitting probably rate as the main dangers though there is likely to be support on the night for Convey who remains capable of getting in the money at this level.
10.44 Saratoga (Travers Stakes – Grade 1) – GRONKOWSKI
With four in the bag for the domestic action we can treat this as a bonus. The Travers is one of America’s biggest races and usually features runners from the early season Triple Crown events as well as acting as a key trial for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Former English-trained runner Gronkowski was due to contest the Kentucky Derby having booked his place with a win in the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle this spring however he took an injury and could not run.
He has since moved to be trained permanently in the States by Chad Brown who prepared him superbly for his comeback run, a find second to Triple Crown winner Justify in the Belmont Stakes and it is thought this trip is his ideal.
He sits as a general second-favourite for the Travers behind Good Magic however we’ve seen almost the best of that one already whereas our horse still has a few pounds of improvement to come and could announce himself as a proper Classic contender here. His gate 3 position is a help too.
Aidan O’Brien sends Mendelssohn over as he did for the Derby in Louisville and he will be desperate for the colt to show what he can do, but with the yard yet to fully get over the bug they had he has it all on to get past the principles from gate 8.
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