DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20
1.50 YORK
The traditional curtain raiser to The Ebor meeting is always a proper conundrum for punters but as of late, a low draw has made the race a little easier to solve and with that in mind, the suggestion is the play two from the far side of the track, namely SPRING IS SPRUNG (best price 11-1) and COPPER KNIGHT 9best price 22-1).
The pair were first and third respectively in a similar contest at Haydock recently and with the speed figure pointing towards the five-furlong sprint being one of the best of its kind all season, it seems prudent to follow the form at the first available opportunity.
Prior to the former winning with a degree of flare at the Merseyside venue, Paul Midgley’s inmate had shown his wellbeing with back-to-back wins at Chelmsford and Newmarket and this thriving sprinter remains one to keep on side.
The latter could walk to the Knavesmire blindfolded and the popular 11-year-old keeps belying his age. Although he has a bit to find with his old rival to turn around the form, racing back at his happy hunting ground might make some sort of different and in any case, he should be there or thereabouts if he runs to the same level as he did 10 days ago.
SPRING IS SPRUNG – ½ point each-way@11-1 (five places)
COPPER KNIGHT – ½ point each-way@22-1 (five places)
4.45 YORK
Pace all over the track for this complex fillies’ sprint handicap but providing the low numbers once again hold sway, SARAHMAE (best price 12-1) has a fair chance of outrunning her odds.
An unfamiliar name to most UK punters, her form in Irish sprints has been progressive this season and her latest victory over the improving and highly regarded Keke (rated 101) suggests she is nudging her way through the pecking order in premier handicaps.
According to her trainer Denis Hogan (6 winners in the last two weeks), the reason behind her sudden improvement derives from the fact she has grown physically in recent times and drawn right next to the likes of pacesetters Forager and Luna A Inbhir Nis, her ability to travel well and quicken at the end of her races should see her bang in contention at the business end over towards the far side.
SARAHMAE – ½ point each-way@12-1
5.20 YORK
A complex nursery at first glance but on closer inspection, the two standout performers in terms of class are SHAMAN CHAMPION (best price 6-1) and UTMOST RESPECT (best price 4-1) and they are taken against the field.
Although only seventh and ninth in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, the pair were ultimately too badly drawn to have a meaningful effect on the outcome but since then, they have both proven their true worth in separate races.
The former ran his face off when again poorly drawn (11 of 11) at Goodwood last time out and although he may have disappointed some being a well-backed favourite, the truth of the matter is he did extremely well under the circumstances to finish second on a day those drawn low had a significant advantage.
Whether stall 16 ends up being a tough barrier to overcome remains to be seen but there is little doubt Richard Hughes’ inmate is easily one of the most talented juveniles in the field and he deserves to be played accordingly.
The latter also ended up being on the wrong side of the track at the Berkshire venue but he has since gone on to make amends in a lesser contest at Hamilton.
Despite being sent off 1-4, the speed figure he posted pointed towards a performance of a smart juvenile and having run well on his debut here back in May, a return to the same track over what should turn out to be a more suitable trip is likely to see him in a better light.
SHAMAN CHAMPION – 1-point win@6-1
UTMOST RESPECT – 1-point win@4-1
7.08 SLIGO
TOMAS O MAILLE (best price 11-2) was always likely to find two miles around Ballinrobe an insufficient test and now racing over a trip more in-keeping with his profile, the eight-year-old has bright prospects of adding to his only other previous career victory which came at the same track.
His pilot nine days ago, Philip Enright, has been riding exceptionally well of late but for once he got caught out tactically in a race that was a proper burn up on the final circuit (1.4 seconds quickest on the card) and he ended up getting going too late on his mount who was full of running at the finish.
Prior to that slightly unfortunate effort, Michael Flannery’s inmate had won well over 2m5f back in April and having run well on two of his three starts at tonight’s venue, there is every reason to feel upbeat about his chance.
TOMAS O MAILLE – 1-point each-way@11-2