York selections Thursday 22nd August
Following a wonderful first day at York will be tough today after the masterful performance of City of Troy and two course records. However whilst there might not quite be the brilliance of horses on show today, there is still Group 1 action in the Yorkshire Oaks and some cracking handicaps to get stuck into. We are looking to follow up a strong opening day ourselves after the victory of JM Jungle (SP 10/1) and each-way places for Shagraan (advised 7/1), Calandagan (advised 15/2) and Samui (advised 4/1).
York 3.00: New Image
Despite the big field and competitive nature of the mile handicap, I am happy to rely on just one horse in NEW IMAGE.
One of six contenders from the David O’Meara yard, he was a headline selection for us just twelve days ago when winning on his first attempt at a mile in the Shergar Cup at Ascot. He had already shown he was ready for that distance when a strong finishing second over the stiff 7f at Ascot in the International Handicap a couple of weeks previously.
He is making up for lost time now as he had raced just twice as a juvenile for Ger Lyons and not at all during 2023. That patience is clearly paying off as he has won four times now this season. He was quick enough to win a 5f maiden at Southwell in the spring before 7f victories at the same venue and then Musselburgh. He got out from a pocket just in time to wear down Yantarni in the Shergar Cup and is 1lb well off today as his penalty for winning that day is lower than the increase in weight the handicapper has given him for future races.
York 3.35: You Got To Me
A mercurial talent, YOU GOT TO ME has often blazed a trail from the front, with variable success. However she was ridden with more restraint in the Irish Oaks last month, responding with a strong finishing effort to see off the late challenge of Content.
Whilst she might have got the run of the race that day, she was not stopping at the finish and she looked the winner on merit. I don’t see any specific reason why the tables should be turned today, so the fact the selection can be backed at a bigger price than Content is a nice bonus.
The galloping nature of the Curragh clearly suited, so York should be ideal too. Whilst she did successfully go from the front in the Lingfield Oaks Trial in May, those front-running tactics did not work at Royal Ascot. However she seems to be more tractable these days and that allows jockey Hector Crouch to ride a proper race on her now.
York 5.20: Key to Cotai & Miss Information
The fillies get a final chance to shine in this closing handicap, where two are fancied.
KEY TO COTAI likes to get cover, so she is not an obvious one to be suited by York where front-runners are favoured. However the likely strong pace will be a big help, as will stall 2 which should allow William Buick to get plenty of cover without getting too far back in the field in the rush to the early bend.
She looked an unlucky loser at Haydock last time when continually denied a clear run, but assuming the horses come up the centre in the straight, trouble in running should not be a problem today. Earlier in the season she had won a similar race at Newmarket, another track which would normally favour pacesetters, so I think this horse has the class and the cruising pace to cope with York.
MISS INFORMATION is an improving filly. She won twice in the space of a week at Chepstow and Epsom last month, racing prominently throughout in both on fast ground. She was upped 12lbs in total for those two wins, but that rise did not look unfair based on her one performance since at Glorious Goodwood.
On that occasion she had a horrible draw in stall 19 and was held wide throughout as a result. She got shuffled back around the bend, so did really well to stay on for fourth in the circumstances. With a better draw today, her mark of 88 still looks exploitable, especially given she is fully proven on fast ground.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – New Image – 3.00 York – 13/2 general (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – You Got To Me – 3.35 York – 4/1 Ladbrokes, Coral
1pt each-way – Key to Cotai – 5.20 York – 13/2 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Miss Information – 5.20 York – 5/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)
