Blue Point was arguably the stand-out performance of York’s four-day Ebor meeting with the Godolphini colt bouncing back from his Glorious Goodwood defeat on Saturday under William Buick. The son of Shamrdal completed a treble for Buck in the Gp 2 Gimcrack Stakes and was cut to 3/1 from 8s for the Gp 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and 8/1 from 16s with BetVictor for the first classic of next season.
It was a tremendous weekend for the boys in blue with both Saeed Bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby’s respective strings in good nick and Manama (7.20) fancied to go close for the latter this evening at Kempton. The daughter of Cape Cross made a promising debut when second last month at Newmarket, before disappointing last time out at Glorious Goodwood on ground much softer than ideal. She remains open to further improvement and must go close to shedding the maiden tag under William Buick.
The William Haggas yard are similarly in good form, scoring with Rivet in the Convivial at York on Saturday, and should go close with Oasis Moon (8.50) in the closing Fillies’ Handicap. The selection landed a gamble in good style two starts back at Brighton and was well-supported to follow-up stepped up in trip to six furlongs at the track last week. She was just fifth last time out but should be suited by this evening’s hopefully stronger gallop and should make amends under Liam Jones.
David Lanigan’s Athlon (8.20) looks the stand-out animal on the card and is a confident selection to complete the hat-trick under regular partner George Baker. The gelding has won both of his two starts in handicap company thus far, both ove ten furlongs at Windsor, and should defy a 14lb rise at the weights to score for a third time.
The pick of this afternoon’s action comes from Carlisle where Aprovado (3.15) must go close for the in-form pair of Michael Dods and Paul Mulrennan. The yard scored with Mecca’s Angel on the Knavesmire on Friday, winning back-to-back renewals of the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, and whilst not quite as speedy Aprovado looks a progressive sprinter to keep on the right side of. The selection scored three times on his preferred firm ground last summer and after an excellent second last time out at Ayr can go one better from just a 3lb higher mark.
Mark Johnston’s Gaelic Tiger hails from a smart middle-distance family and should go close on debut in the maiden over the extended mile, however Rae Guest’s Going Up (4.15) was a massive eye-catcher last weekend at Pontefract and should go close on his second start under David Allen. He was green in the early stages before making impressive late headway and should be more streetwise to go close upped in trip.
Sir Mark Prescott’s Mockinbird (4.45) looks to have been given a favourable opening mark of just 70 and shuold make a winning debut handicapping under regular partner Luke Morris. The selection showed ability in all three all-weather maidens over a mile and should have further improvement dropping back in trip.
For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com
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