Racing

York Place 6 Preview | 22nd August

By Steven Dowler

13.50 Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)

I like the claims of Irish raider GERYON, who has really improved on his last couple of starts, winning a Group 3 event at Leopardstown prior to a good second at Goodwood. The drop down in trip shouldn’t pose an issue and I am hopeful he will be very competitive in the opener.

Tips: GERYON

14.25 Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

INFRAAD ticks a lot of boxes for this competitive event. He’s won two of his last three starts and gamely landed a hot contest at Goodwood when last seen. The assessor has taken no chances by raising his mark 7lb but he’s surely got plenty more to come and is fancied to prove hard to beat for a stable that does well in these types of events. Big chance.

Tips: INFRAAD

15.00 Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)

I actually don’t fancy anything in this race to be perfectly honest but something has to win, so the vote will go to ZAVATERI. He’s been lightly campaigned this season and wasn’t beaten far when fifth in the Sussex Stakes last time out despite meeting traffic problems. He’s a Group 1 winner over this distance and has every right to have a big say in the outcome.

Tips: ZAVATERI

15.35 Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

My fancy for the Ebor is MR HOLLYWOOD. He had previously displayed useful form in Germany and France and made an eye-catching stable debut in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot when third. His handler has an excellent record in this prestigious event, so with connections booking Saffie Osborne for the ride, a bold effort could well be on the cards.

Tips: MR HOLLYWOOD

16.10 Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

A wild chance is taken on PURE LEGEND, who shaped fairly well on stable debut in the Summer Cup at Thirsk last time out and is sure to improve for that experience. It’s interesting to see him dropping in distance, which suggests he might be ridden positively. He could easily outrun his odds. GOLDEN MIND isn’t consistent but has some strong form in the book (last win was off only a pound lower mark) and he finished a close-up fourth in the Victoria Cup back in May off a 3lb higher figure. He’s more than capable of going well if able to rediscover his best form.

Tips: PURE LEGEND & GOLDEN MIND

16.45 Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed)

DUBAI CHAMPION is the one I’m going to take a chance on. He was narrowly denied at Goodwood last time out and Ryan Moore interestingly keeps the ride. With plenty more to offer, Ben Haslam‘s charge is fancied to go one place better.

Tips: DUBAI CHAMPION