Hi all,
ITV Racing are covering seven races live on Saturday afternoon, four from York, two from Sandown and an additional race from Chester.
My Victor Value Saturday selections were sent to subscribers on Friday afternoon. Here are my thoughts on three of the four races at York—perhaps your York Saturday bets will align with mine.
York
1:50 – Queen Mother's Cup Handicap (For Female Amateur Jockeys) (Class 3) – 1m 4f
Andaleep:
Pros: Won a handicap at York last July over 1m 2½f off 4lb lower. Added a couple of wins at Southwell earlier this year. Leading amateur rider Brodie Hampson is a positive booking.
Cons: Was slowly away last time and finished 9th of 16, 8¼ lengths behind the winner.
Arrange:
Pros: Last year's winning rider Jody Townend takes the ride. Solid 4th of 20 over C&D last time.
Cons: Might prefer slightly further, but a strongly run race should suit.
Verdict: Given the presence of Jody Townend, Arrange edges it for me, though Andaleep is a strong contender if he starts well.
2:25 – Sky Bet Proud To Support Macmillan Handicap (Class 3) – 7f
Yanifer:
Pros: ¾ length 3rd of 9 at Chester last month after a 14-month layoff. Won over C&D and at Catterick in October 2022.
Cons: Question marks over whether he can build on last time on quicker ground due to a sparse 2023 campaign.
New Image:
Pros: Won at Musselburgh two weeks ago, appearing to have more in hand than the margin suggests. Only a 4lb rise.
Cons: Stepping up in class, but improvement is expected.
Verdict: New Image seems to be the progressive sort, but Yanifer is a solid alternative if he retains his form and gets some juice in the ground.
3:35 – Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
James's Delight:
Pros: Recommended at 12/1 ante post and still available at 10/1. Doesn’t want quick ground and I remain hopeful.
Cons: Drawn in stall 1, which didn’t seem the place to be on Friday.
Ziggy’s Condor:
Pros: Progressed with each of his four starts and a short-head 2nd of 15 here (7f) last month. Drop back to 6f should suit.
Cons: Shortened to 15/2, suggesting market support but also limiting value.
Elmonjed:
Pros: Behind Ziggy’s Condor last time but connections add first-time cheekpieces. Chris Hayes over from Ireland for one ride suggests confidence.
Cons: Looked like he needed further than 6f last time.
Verdict: I’m happy with James’s Delight despite stall 1. Ziggy’s Condor is a strong contender given his recent form. If the addition of the first-time headgear has the desired effect Elmonjed can go close, with Chris Hayes an interesting jockey booking.
Good luck with your York Saturday bets.
John