Friday DAY 3
It was a fine day for this column again yesterday with two winners and two places from 4 tips including a 1-2 in the finale.
I hope that fine form continues today as I quite like the chances of two horses today.
First up is CORMIER in the opener. Brian Ellison's charge surprised me a little bit last time out as he won so easy at Chester on his return from a break. I assumed he would have needed the run and he probably did so it's testament to him that he won so cosy. In my view if he is ever going to win a big handicap it will be today. He has a lovely low racing weight and the quick ground that he loves so much. His rivals look pretty exposed and if there is one hiding a fair bit from the handicapper then it is him.
In the big one itself I can't have RAASEL out of the places. Mick Appleby's charge has been a revelation since his shrewd connections purchased him and he has developed into a top notch sprinter. You can argue however that he should have won at Goodwood in order to have a chance here but I think he will be better suited to the burn up that this race is likely to turn out to be. The favourite will take some beating if she is ready for such a test but I wouldn't be too sure that she is just yet and at the prices I think the selection is the most solid alternative.
York 1.50 – Cormier
York 3.35 – Raasel
Saturday DAY 4
It looks a real tough day for punters on Saturday and if you come out on top then you've done well.
The Melrose is always a race I savour as it pays to think outside the box more often than not. Soulcombe is an obvious favourite here but at 10/3 I can't put it up. SHEER ROCKS looks a much better punting proposition for me at 14/1 with the step up in trip likely to suit. He has been running on strongly over shorter recently which suggests this trip will be well within his compass and Tom Marquand is an interesting jockey booking.
I felt a bit hard done by when backing KINROSS last time out as he just got ousted in the shadows of the post by the re-opposing Sandrine at Goodwood. I feel the selection is the better horse and although he would prefer softer ground I think he can show his class all the same.
The Ebor is as competitive as ever and I could easily put up 5 or 6 in the race. My main fancy is EUCHEN GLEN who shaped as if he had quite a bit in hand last time out at Goodwood. We all know he is a classy sort on his day and has been rated much higher in recent seasons. He met a lot of traffic last time out but still powered home under Paul Mulrennan who knows him so well. The fact he made up so much ground in a race that paid to be handy says a lot about his chance today.
It feels like I tip SUNMERGHAND every week but what an admirable horse he is. He turns up to every dance and runs his race more often than not. He is definitely lurking on a mark that he should be able to win off as his run at Ripon last week suggested. He looks to have been dealt a better draw here and at 10/1 he must surely figure in the finish.
York 2.25 – Sheer Rocks
York 3.00 – Kinross
York 3.35 – Euchen Glen
York 4.10 – Summerghand
