Our star columnist takes us through his runners for day one of York's John Smith's Cup fixture on Friday.
Best chances:
4.25 York Friday
Flawless Jewel is Sands Of Mali’s half-sister and he made a winning debut at York’s John Smith’s Cup meeting last season. She runs in the Jigsaw Sports Branding British EBF Novice Stakes on Friday and we like her at home. It will be interesting to see how she goes.
The Summer Stakes is a competitive Group Three. It’s been the target for Maggies Angel for some time, her owner was very keen to run in it. She has some form at the track and is in great order.
We also run Marie Of Lyon. She probably goes on any ground but may be better if it’s a little slower than she’ll encounter here. I’d be delighted if both my fillies were placed.
Delph Crescent was very impressive at Beverley on Friday. He’s gone up 11lb for that victory but carries a 6lb penalty in the Acturis Handicap. We’re going up in trip to 10 furlongs with him again and there is a question mark over whether he stays it – but he wasn’t stopping over the mile last week.
I thought Kodyanna would run a little better than she did in the Queen Mary last time. Her sister Darkanna could disappoint every now and again too but we’re very happy with her at home going into the Garbutt + Elliott Nursery and I hope she runs well.
Nothing went right for Wirral Girl at Chester last time. She missed the break and I thought she ran a good race in the circumstances. If everything drops right in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap she’d go close.
We’re double-handed in the closing Gough & Kelly Apprentice Handicap.
International Man returns to seven furlongs which I think is his best trip. If you ignore his last run here over a mile then he must have a chance. So does Inviolable Spirit who has been running really well of late but doesn’t have much in hand of the handicapper.
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