York Finale

Hi all,

There’s more Group 1 action on Saturday, with the juvenile colts taking centre stage in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. It promises to be a fascinating and high-quality renewal, with Distant Storm heading the market.

Saturday’s main betting heat, the Cesarewitch Handicap, has drawn just 21 runners but that won’t make it any easier puzzle to solve. I covered the big staying handicap in Wednesday’s column, so no need to go over old ground here.

Instead, today’s focus is on the three ITV races from York, where some strong handicaps and a Listed sprint take centre stage are highlights of the York Finale.

York

1:30 – Coral Rockingham Stakes (Listed) – 6f

Flying Comet ran a career best when third in the Group 2 Mill Reef at Newbury last time, beaten just over five lengths. That’s the standout piece of form on offer, and he’s the one they all must beat.

Division keeps improving, winning his last two. He’ll appreciate the better ground and looks a big player for a yard that took this race in both 2021 and 2022.

2:05 – Coral ‘Pipped At The Post’ Handicap (Class 2) – 1m2½f

Erzindjan was unlucky in the Cambridgeshire, finishing fourth but doing best of those racing on the near side. He’s run well over C&D in July and looks sure to be popular again. On that latest effort, he’s very much on a winnable mark.

Tony Montana ran right up to his best when second at the Curragh (1m2f) last time. Beaten only a head in a similar race here in May, he’s 3lb higher now but should give another solid account.

Have Secret has lost his way since finishing third in that same May handicap and is now 4lb better off with Tony Montana — plus a useful apprentice takes off a further 5lb. Needs to bounce back, yet dangerous if he does.

3:15 – Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap (Heritage Handicap) – 6f

Binhareer shaped better than the bare result when a 3 ¾ lengths 6th of 25  Ayr Silver Cup last time. Slowly away and stuck down the near side, he still ran with credit. Handles ease in the ground and capable of better for a yard that won this in 2023.

Northern Ticker scored over C&D two runs back and ran another cracker from a poor draw in the Ayr Gold Cup. Remains unexposed in handicaps and should go well again.

Strike Red has won this race twice for Richard Fahey, who also runs Uncle Don and Loom. Strike Red lines up from the same mark as 12 months ago and looks primed for a hat-trick bid, especially if the ground stays on the easy side. Uncle Don, a useful juvenile, has struggled this season but hinted at a revival when 3 lengths fourth at Haydock last time, denied a clear run 1f out. He’s interesting if the ground dries out.

Rousing Encore bounced back to winning form at Ayr 11 days ago. He’s up 5lb, but that win should have boosted confidence, and he was beaten less than a length by Elmonjed in a similar C&D handicap in July off today’s mark so can remain competitive.

Finally, one from Chepstow and race not on ITV.

Chepstow

2:40 – DragonBet / Native River Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m7½f

Destroytheevidence didn’t show much at Uttoxeter in May but returns from a break with an ideal setup. He won over this C&D a year ago and boasts October form figures of 211.  Fresh, fit, and well suited by decent ground – he’s on a workable mark and looks ready for a big run.

Saturday Selection:

Chepstow

2:45 – Destroytheevidence

I’ll be back on Monday with my look back at Newmarket’s Future Champions meeting.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John