Oli Bell previews the final round of the Sky Bet Sunday Series at York.
Timeform Haydock Course Guide
Left handed, flat. In essence, York is a very fair track, ideal for the long-striding galloper. In recent seasons, the field tends to come more down the centre of the track than has historically been the case, particularly if conditions are testing. The track was made into a circuit in 2005 and offers a straight five furlong/six furlong track, on which a high draw has been a distinct disadvantage in recent years, while seven furlong races start on a chute.
Oli Bell's race-by-race selections
2.30 Enter ITV7 For Free 'Confined' EBF Maiden Stakes - Secret History
This is a red-hot two-year-old maiden to open proceedings with but it can go the way of SECRET HISTORY. She's held in the highest regard by the Ed Walker team and bumped into one when chasing home Touleen on debut at Newbury. She travelled really well that day and will have learned plenty from the experience too.
3.00 Sky Bet Super Sub Sprint Handicap - Vantheman
This is as competitive as you'd expect for a York sprint handicap and my pin has come down on VANTHEMAN. He was very strong in the betting for a similar race at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival last time and was running on when encountering traffic problems inside the final furlong. He's down two pounds and starting to look well handicapped.
3.30 Skybet Proud To Support RoR Stayers Handicap - Ribble Vibe
He disappointed at Newcastle last time but it's still early days for RIBBLE VIBE with his excellent new team and he's given the chance to bounce back. David O'Meara's charge looked to be building towards something when second to Paddy The Squire at Thirsk in August and it's too soon to be writing him off.
4.00 Sky Bet Extra Places Middle Distance Handicap - Danger Bay
You can make a case for any number of these but DANGER BAY arrives on a hat-trick after successive wins at Hamilton and gets the vote. Trained by Ed Bethell, the son of New Bay is up five pounds for a length-and-a-half defeat of Wave Rider last month but is firmly on an upward curve and it might be a while yet before the handicapper catches up with him.
4.30 Sky Bet Starman Garrowby Stakes - Almeraq
This is a very strong renewal of the Listed race but ALMERAQ is the potential improver and I'm happy to side with him. William Haggas and the Shadwell team had toyed with the idea of running him in the Group One Betfair Sprint Cup on Saturday but opted for these relatively calmer waters. He looked a Group horse in a handicap when hosing up at Ayr last time and we don't know what his ceiling is.
5.00 Sky Bet Build A Bet Fillies' Handicap - Seren Star
Haggas runs two in this and preference is for SEREN STAR. She's the mount of Cieren Fallon and chasing a third successive win after landing a maiden at Chepstow and a Hamilton handicap on her last two starts. She did well to beat Pomme Pomme by three-quarters-of-a-length in Scotland having to switch around rivals at a crucial stage. A four pounds rise won't prevent another bold bid.
5.30 Sky Bet, For The Fans Mile Apprentice Handicap - Earthwatch
Another Haggas improver is the selection in a trappy finale. Very few of these arrive on the upgrade but EARTHWATCH is having beaten next-time-out winner Falmouth Lad by four-and-a-quarter lengths at Sandown last time. The excellent Warren Fentiman has been booked to ride and there's more to come from his mount.
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
