Rory Delargy has today's bets and he's got three recommendations on the quality card at York.
Racing betting tips: Thursday May 14
1pt e.w Hammer The Hammer in the 14:20 York at 8/1 (SkyBet, Paddy Power 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6) – min 15/2
1pt win Revival Power in the 16:40 York at 6/1 (General) – min 5/1
1pt e.w Baltic Fleet in the 17:15 York at 11/1 (William Hill, 888Sport ¼ 1,2,3,4) – min 10/1
Top weight HAMMER THE HAMMER only ran one poor race last season and that was when made favourite for the Stewards Cup when drawn on the wrong side. He won his first two starts last season before running well at Royal Ascot and the lack of a run is not a concern, while the return to five furlongs looks a positive given he travelled easily in front over 6f here on his final start last year before losing several positions in the last 100 yards. He’s had wins surgery since last term and Kevin Ryan has retuned just four horses to the track at York since 2024 after a breathing operation, with two of those winning.
Air Force One is our idea of the biggest threat; Geoff Oldroyd’s charge has a fine record at York (132 outside of seasonal debuts) and looked better than ever when winning at Beverley last time, where he had to wait for a gap before quickening smartly to win with something to spare. A 2lb rise is more than fair and I’d be inclined to save on him. Toca Madera finished a close third in this last year and that third to American Affair is a strong piece of form. He didn’t go on (was reported to have bled on at least one occasion) for Brian Meehan but is the sort to flourish having joined David O’Meara. He needed his first start back at Thirsk and after another 2lb drop from the handicapper means he’s 8lb lower than this time last year, a mark his shrewd trainer will surely exploit sooner rather than later. Stall 20 isn’t ideal based on Wednesday’s results, however, and that puts us off.
14:20 York - Lindum York Handicap 5f
14:55 York - 1m Hambleton Handicap
The most novice of form readers will work out what a superb chance Sea Force has here. He’ll be head of the market but deserves to be after a luckless run in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time out where he really ought to have won with anything like clear passage, finishing the race on the bridle, and beaten less than two lengths. That was his first start in cheekpieces, which are retained here, and as long as he behaves himself beforehand, he is surely the one to beat.
Point Of Contact finished just in front of Sea Force in the Sky Bet Mile here at the Ebor Meeting having been behind that rival on their previous outing. He looked rough around the edges last term but he’s been gelded, and can clearly go well fresh, so with trainer Andrew Balding having winners for fun, he appeals as the biggest threat to the selection.
For us, this is all about whether REVIVAL POWER is fit or not because she’s going to be some filly this year and could blow this lot away if she’s ready to go. On that front, it’s worth remembering that her full-sister Winter Power won this after a remarkably similar preparation a few years ago, and I’d imagine Tim Easterby will have her revved up to repeat that feat.
Her early speed when winning both the Julia Graves Roses Stakes here last August and again in the Flying Childers was a joy to watch, she had the latter won at halfway and never looked like coming back to them. A little too keen on her final start at Newmarket (but still far from disgraced), she could have these on the stretch early and can hopefully hang on.
Aspect Island is favourite and that’s understandable enough after a very solid reappearance in the Abernant, beaten 2¼ lengths in seventh and matching his end-of-season form from last year. I do just wonder whether a drop back to five furlongs is in his favour, though, he was tried over 7f last year, and Revival Power could take him off his feet if she blasts off. At a bigger price, Black Star Boy merits a second look; he was good enough to win at Sandown despite looking to need the run in the preliminaries and will keep progressing. That was only handicap form and he needs to step it up again, but it’s of some interest Ed Walker goes down the Pattern route with him rather than another handicap.
16:40 York - British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes 5f
More runners than is normally the case for this but the quality drops off dreadfully in the bottom half of the handicap, and those at the head of the weights make by far the most appeal.
Knightsail caught the eye in Goodwood maidens last year, looking green and needing time, and although it wasn’t a great effort on the figures on return at Nottingham, he apparently managed to get his tongue over the bit, making him look awkward late on. A step up to 1m4f on handicap debut will suit and he’s likely to pay for his keep this summer.
BALTIC FLEET carries top weight but deservedly so and is open to improvement now stepping up in trip. Bred for middle distances this year, he was outpaced before staying on again late on his return at Bath, and will strip fitter here. He was reported as being gelded the day after his Bath run, but I suspect that operation was carried out over the winter but not reported until picked up by the vet at Bath, as happens on a regular basis (trainers are required to inform the authorities about every gelding operation but do forget at times).
17:15 York - Frank Whittle Partnership Handicap 1½m
Preview posted at 10:05 BST on 14/05/26
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