Friday - Ebor Day Four

Another profitable day yesterday with our lay of Sariska. She was never going to get past Dar Re Mi and I don't buy the excuses about her being in season. The day could have been even better had Leocorno held on but Mick Kinane edged out Ryan Moore in a tight finish. Excellent racing at York again today, but a word of warning that it looks like a bookies benefit. We're keeping the stakes moderate for that reason, I expect a few surprises but we're way ahead for the week and in a good position.

The opening handicap looks very interesting and the money is beginning to come for Cosmic Sun. Richard Fahey's team are said to have been a little under the weather this week, but that sort of stuff is more down to rumour than anything else and we have to remember his team have been winning all year so it's open to interpretation how exposed some of them are at this stage of the year. Cosmic Sun has been in excellent form since his 66/1 Ascot win and he is bred to appreciate extreme distances such as that which he faces today. His form looks solid and his staying on effort behind Classic Vintage last time out suggests he can turn the tables on that one over two extra furlongs on revised terms. 13/2 is good value.

The 2.50 looks like a minefield with neither of the market leaders looking convincing. I think there will be a surprise here, and at prices I like the look of Balcarce Nov and Beckermet. The aforementioned travelled really well at Haydock last time out before knucling down to a gritty success. He looked an absolute picture and trip and ground are perfect for him today. 25/1 is far too big. Beckermet has a really good record both at this course and at this level. He tends to peak at this time of year, and I'd be even more confident if Abbodanza was not in the line up, to take him on for the lead. Again, he is massively overpriced at 33/1.

In the Nunthorpe, I like Henry Candy's Amore Propre. He scoped dirty after his recent disappointment but the trainer's horses are in really good form of late and the fast five furlongs will suit him ideally. There is bundles of low pace in this race, and I'm just wondering if there is a slight possibility that York's watering policy may have caused a high draw bias. All the fancied horses are drawn low, and if there is to be a boilover. Captain Gerrard is the once I fancy for the upset. Drawn high, this pacey sort ran really well behind Scenic Blast at Ascot and Borderlescott at Chester latest. I'll have a small bet to cover Bryan Smart's gelding.

Best Recommendations:

1.45 York Cosmic Sun, 3pts win @ 15/2 (Guaranteed)

2.50 York Balcarce Nov 1pt each-way @ 25/1 (Generally, guaranteed) 2.50 York Beckermet, 1pt each-way @ 33/1 (Generally, guaranteed)

3.25 York Amour Propre 3pts win @ 7/1 (VC Bet, guaranteed)

3.25 York Captain Gerrard 1/2 pt each-way @ 40/1 (Sporting Bet, 1/4 odds each-way)