BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.
York – Ante Post
Brief foray into the world of ante post racing, and with York just around the corner, there are a few horses that I have shortlisted for the festival in roughly ten days time. The weather is expecting to hold up, and given that the current going is officially ‘good to firm’, quick ground horses, and those with course form are those to keep on our side of, especially in the competitive handicaps.
The Ebor is seen as the prize race, and whereas I for instance have had better luck in The Nunthorpe and The Yorkshire Oaks in previous years, this is the one for the casual punter on a Saturday afternoon, with an expected crowd of 60,000 – Royal Ascot combined with northern charm. The first horse that I like, given his tremendous form around The Knavesmire is CRACKENTORP for local connections, trained by Tim Easterby. He has ran four times so far this season, form figures of 3-1-2-9. Game and gutsy, second in The Northumberland Plate on the back of a good win over a mile and half in an apprentice handicap at York. He won well, and went on to give a game account in The Plate, in atrocious conditions. He fluffed next time out, but I think the race came too soon, and freshened up with a break, with his stable, and his record around York (2390011319), he can bounce back.
HURRICANE HIGGINS is another who makes the shortlist based on his win at Goodwood last week, winning well over two and a half miles. He saw the trip out well, but going back through his form, he was beaten only six lengths by subsequent St Leger winner Masked Marvel, and six lengths by Namibian and Fiorente in last years Gordon Stakes. His form seems to rely on good ground, and with conditions expected to suit, he will run with a 4lb penalty, and will effectively be 5lb well in. Based on the form his run over The Ebor trip at Newmarket in May, he could be very well handicapped, with that race in particular working out very well.
TOMINATOR has been feeling his way back into the season, and through being basically tailed off in The Chester Cup, and then beaten ten lengths in a Haydock handicap, he has returned to the mark of 97, which should give him a chance. A ready winner of The Northumberland Plate last year, the trainer Reg Hollinshead has said all this horse wants is a trip of a mile and three quarters at a strong pace on good ground. He should get all three in The Ebor, and with money already being thrown around for the animal, and fresh off a break, he has to go on the shortlist, even if only precautionary and as a saver.
The Nunthorpe will finally see ORTENSIA given the respect she is oh so due, after finally getting the good, quick ground she is used to down under. Laboured at Newmarket, and getting worked up at Ascot, we didn’t see her in her true light, until Goodwood. She got her ground, and slammed a field of fifteen good group horses, in sublime style, the mare is back. Settled readily in mid field by William Buick, she came through with her trademark turn of foot and came home with a good rattle. She should get the similar strong pace at York, and come home in the same manner.
Betfred Ebor
Crackentorp 2pt Win @ 16/1 (Across)
Hurricane Higgins 1pt Win @ 33/1 (Stan James, William Hills, Sky Bet)
Tominator 1pt Win @ 25/1 (Ladbrokes)
Nunthorpe
Ortensia 5pt Win @ 6/1 (Across)
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
No comments:
Post a Comment