York selections Saturday 24th August
The final day at York and Saturday always has an excellent mix with a quartet of very strong handicaps over distances between 6f and 14f where the big race of the day, the Ebor is held. I have gone with all four of those races for selections today. Headline selection Shadow Dance gave us a nice profit yesterday with a win in the opener (SP 6/1).
York 2.25: Too Bossy For Us
The Melrose has tended to be won by a horse that has gone onto big success in staying race in recent seasons and TOO BOSSY FOR US has the right profile for a race of this type.
He is very stoutly red by Golden Horn out of a mare that has already produced Angel Guidance a winner of two listed races for Andre Fabre in France this year over this trip and Activist a winner over 2m3f over hurdles for David Pipe. I suspect therefore that Too Bossy For Us has built up a decent form profile in spite of largely running over shorter distances rather than because of it.
He was quick enough to win a 10f handicap at Ascot in the spring and was then a never nearer third to the very progressive Align the Stars over 12f at Thirsk. However he relished the step up to 14f at Haydock last time when beaten by the same horse (albeit getting a length closer). This more galloping track should see him to even better effect and trainer Kevin Philipart de Foy will be very pleased to see York missing the rain overnight as this horse loves fast ground.
York 3.35: Magical Zoe & My Mate Mozzie
Two things stand out for me in this year’s Ebor. That the Irish have another strong hand in a bid to win this race, but also that two horses best known for their jumping exploits will take some beating (last year’s winner Absurde of course went on to win the County Hurdle at Cheltenham).
MAGICAL ZOE gets in here having just had the minimum three races on the flat to qualify for a mark. She is however a very experienced racehorse, including in big fields from her performances over jumps. She was fourth in that County Hurdle behind Absurde, having been second in the Mares Novice at the Festival in 2023.
Whilst those runs came on soft ground, she does have plenty of form on a sound surface, including when third in a muddling listed race at Fairyhouse last time. She did not get much of a run until late on and I think she will be seen to better effect in a stronger run race such as this.
MY MATE MOZZIE is becoming something of a serial loser in big handicaps, but looking on the bright side he is an each-way punters dream as he is always thereabouts. He ran a cracker to be third in the Galway Hurdle last time and proved he has a real liking for fast ground when third over this trip at Royal Ascot.
I think it is a case of the faster the ground the better for him and he will get those conditions on the flat. He looked a likely winner of the Irish Cesarewitch 1f out last autumn before fading, and that is the one concern in that he can be a little weak in the finish. Perhaps he is not an out and out stayer, in which case this 14f might be ideal, but I think it is more of a case of him travelling well but not finding much off the bridle. However this race might be ideal as he should be able to race just in behind the pace and be delivered late and fast.
York 4.10: Apollo One & Cover Up
This 6f sprint is a relatively new edition to the meeting and this renewal does not look to match up to similar races like the Wokingham and Stewards Cup this year.
As such my old friend APOLLO ONE has another chance to land a big prize. He did us proud when second in the Stewards Cup but could never quite get to Get In who enjoyed the run of the race hard up against the near rail.
That performance confirmed my view that he revels on fast ground, despite some decent efforts with cut including another second in last season’s Stewards Cup. A horse who loves bowling along prominently over a sharp 6f, he will get that opportunity here and a 1lb rise for Goodwood is not overly punitive.
COVER UP also ran well to be fifth at Goodwood and has actually been dropped a pound for that. This lightly raced individual has taken time to get the hang of racing as he used to be a hard pulling tearaway. He seems to have grown up this season and improved leaps and bounds on the All Weather over the winter.
He actually ran well in the Wokingham after missing the break, showing he has the stamina for 6f now he has learned to settle. However he was always in contention at Goodwood, possibly suffering for being slightly away from the near rail. I think this fast track and ground will suit and low numbers have continued to hold sway all week – he is well placed in five.
York 5.20: Andaleep & Bystander
Two horses near the bottom of the weights are fancied for the finale.
ANDALEEP is as good as ever at the age of eight and despite not having had a real break for almost eighteen months now. He has been busy running in three legs of the Racing League of late, placing second in all of them.
A former course and distance winner, he is a strong stayer at this 10f distance, but never quite seems to get home over 12f as was the case when fading late on here in the Queen Mother Cup in June. He enjoys fast ground and his second to Bint Al Daar earlier this month at Wolverhampton reads well after that horses’ mighty performance here yesterday.
First choice though would be BYSTANDER who has the most potential to improve of all of these horses. He ran better than sixth would suggest at Goodwood where a combination of the undulations and a steady pace were not in his favour. Soft ground was also against him at Redcar earlier in the season.
He has fine form on the All Weather having won three times on the surface in five starts, including a valuable prize at Newcastle in June. However I think he will be effective on fast ground turf too and there was plenty to like about his fourth on quick ground over a mile at Newmarket at the Guineas meeting. He has already shown he will be better at 10f and with few miles on the clock I think he is well handicapped currently off 91.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Too Bossy for Us – 2.25 York – 8/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Magical Zoe – 3.35 York – 8/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt each-way – My Mate Mozzie – 3,35 York –12/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt each-way – Apollo One – 4.10 York – 8/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Cover Up – 4.10 York – 9/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Bystander – 5.20 York – 10/1 Skybet (1/5 odds 1st 6)
0.5pts each-way – Andaleep – 5.20 York – 22/1 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
