York Day Two

The most competitive handicap of the meeting and one on which a number of ante-post gambles rest on is the Ebor Handicap at 2.35 and much will depend on the state of the ground for market leader Purple Moon, a strong mover after waltzing up at Goodwood last time out.

Having walked the course there can be no excuses for this improving four-year-old who strode out with great purpose to win at the Glorious meeting and should have no problem staying this extra quarter mile.

His handicap mark is probably about right for a horse that Cumani feels is a Group horse in the making, The Geoffrey Freer was a considered alternative, and he should go very close on the drying ground.

However, at around the 4/1 mark he makes no appeal although if you are on at a bigger price then it is time to lay off.

The ground plays against the likes of Wing Collar, Mudawin, Solent, Pevensey, Peppertree Lane but brings into the picture the likes of STRATEGIC MOUNT, Honolulu and Tranquil Tiger.

The last named was no disgraced in the Gordon Stakes and is certainly better than that run suggests and has to be thereabouts despite a double figure draw, but it is Paul Cole’s charge that interests me most.

His victory in the three-year-old handicap at Goodwood last year was then followed by a poor run at York where the ground may have been too soft but he has bounced back with a cracking run behind Scriptwriter (same terms here) and with a clear cut win at Ascot; the more the ground dries out the better his chance.

Honolulu is very lightly raced and could be anything, he has progressed nicely in his three runs and although hardly thrown in here and out in country with his stall placement in 19, he is one to be wary of if improving by a few pounds. O’Brien’s other charge Hitchcock has also looked as though this trip would suit and his run here last time out over too short a trip is easily forgotten.

The feature race of the day is the Darley Yorkshire Oaks due off at 3.10 in which brilliant Nassau Stakes heroine Peeping Fawn steps back up to a mile and a half and will obviously be suited to it.

However, there could be a bit of value in opposing her with SILKWOOD a beautifully actioned filly that should adore the drying ground and go close to following up her success in the Ribblesdale.

She has had a setback since then, but is reportedly back on target and Jarvis would not allow her to take her chance unless she was A1 for this her toughest task to date.

Alexandrova adds to the mix as does Allegretto, but I think the Classic generation will master their elders here and prove they are head and shoulders above the colts this year.

Of the other races on the card I am rather sweet on VALERY BORZOV in the three-year-old sprint due off at 5.00.

He was ridden with too much restraint behind Marozi at Goodwood last time out and will surely be given a much more positive ride here with the drying ground very much in his favour. Off a mark of 81 he looks very nicely handicapped and could be thrown in and is preferred to Special Day.

Finally, the opening handicap at 1.30 looks another teaser for us poor old punters after the 12f starter on Tuesday, but there are a number of interesting horses, non more so than Heaven Knows trained by Willie Haggas. A half-brother to Notnowcato he is obviously well regarded, entered in the Champion Stakes, and could be thrown in here off a mark of 93 if that entry is worthy.

If the market speaks in his favour then I shall be saving my stake with him on my selection PERUVIAN PRINCE. On both his last two starts at Goodwood, the selection has not had the end to end gallop he has badly needed and he looks the safest each-way option against Heaven Knows with the progressive Great Hawk also respected despite his welter burden.