The ground has turned soft at York and the ground looks sure to be testing for the juveniles in the opener. I'm not convinced Charlie Croker will appreciate the ground although an eye on the betting market is recommended for Kevin Ryan's runner. Geordie George will relish conditions and must go close but Four Seasons (2.00) has not seen the track since finishing in mid-division in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June. The combination of 5f and fast ground caught him out at Ascot and, having won his maiden at Leicester on heavy ground (well backed), this son of Dubawi will appreciate the ground and will be fresher than most.
The extended Mile Handicap is a cracker with the progressive GM Hopkins the obvious starting point, having been raised 9lbs for a runaway success in the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket last time. He could easily be a Group horse in the making but he is likely to be priced accordingly (tissue 2/1) and Big Baz (3.00) represents the inform yard of William Muir and is only 4lbs higher than when scoring at Haydock last time.
The selection idled in front at Sandown when much the best horse in the race on his penultimate start at Sandown and he can reward each way support. His opening price of 8/1 at BetVictor looks fair with four places on offer in a very hot race.
Brando (3.30) has shown enough in his three starts to date to suggest hewas up to winning his maiden and he ran his best race yet over today's C&D last time on ground probably faster than ideal. As a son of Pivotal today's ground ought to suit and he looks sure to go close with Graham Lee taking over in the saddle.
The betting for the Jigsaw Sports Branding Maiden Auction Stakes should be informative with William Haggas teaming up with Ryan Moore aboard his Authorized filly Mythical Moment (4.40) who is one of many newcomers in the field. Red Rubles, hooded for the first time, looks the best of those with experience but has failed to go on from a very promising first start. That said his recent gelding operation may help him keep his mind on the job in hand and put his best foot forward.
There is an excellent card at Newton Abbot where I hope Solar Impulse (2.50) can take advantage of the weight allowance (15lbs) he receives from likely favourite Turn Over Sivola. The selection took time to acclimatise when first coming over to the yard from France but he was a good winner at Chepstow on his last start over timber and his taken to make a winning start to his chasing career.
The Intermediate Chase is a sensational race for the time of year and the weights certainly favour Colour Squadron (3.55) who receives 16lbs from Festival winner Taquin Du Seuil and Wonderful Charm representing Champion trainer Paul Nicholls. The selection remains a maiden over the larger obstacles in eight starts but finished runner up at the Festival in the Byrne Group Plate and connections have kept his novice status over the larger obstacles. It really is a race to savour as befits such a valuable prize and all five runners will have their supporters.
At Carlisle Drop Out Joe (3.10) can take the Novice Chase for Charlie Longsdon; the selection was a winning pointer in Ireland and ran well over timber for the yard last season including when scoring at this corresponding meeting over timber.
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