York selections Friday 21st August
Friday at York is highlighted by the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes with many of the fastest horses in training taking each other on – but on a slower than ideal surface for some. I have one selection for the big race, but also have focussed on two of the major handicaps on the card. Blue Brother was placed for the each-way bet yesterday (advised 17/2).
York 1.50: Blue Courvoisier & Jeddaal
The opening contest definitely requires two stabs given its open nature.
BLUE COURVOISIER did this column a good turn when winning the Silver Bowl at Carlisle in May and this prominent racer was able to make virtually all that day on a track that lends itself well to front-runners, similar to York. He was not then seen to best effect at Royal Ascot when trying similar tactics in the Britannia, where hold up performers are much more suited.
However he was back to form at Glorious Goodwood last time when third against older horses over 9f. I would expect Rossa Ryan to get this horse up front from an early stage, aided by a low draw into the early bend. One imponderable is the slower ground which he has not encountered before, but at least that will place a greater emphasis on stamina, which is definitely in his favour.
On the other hand JEDDAAL will have no issues with some cut as he won well under similar conditions at Chester in June. He had already run with credit on softer going at Doncaster last season, but he looked a bit immature last season and being gelded over the winter seems to have improved him.
He was only beaten a length on his last start at Thirsk, but did not look as comfortable on the fast ground that day and I am sure he will be more at home on today’s going.
York 3.35: Rayevka
There seems no doubt that the pace from this race will come low with Bacio in the field. However a headwind and the softer going might blunt that speed and there were definite signs yesterday that being drawn low might not be the usual advantage on the straight track.
As such RAYEVKA makes plenty of appeal from stall 12. For one shall is fully proven with cut having won her first race by a wide margin on soft at Chantilly as a juvenile, but more recently she won on soft at Longchamp in a Group 3 in the spring.
That was a rare outing over the minimum trip, but has prompted connections to keep her to that distance and she almost rewarded them when just touched off by Mission Central at Royal Ascot. A strong end to end gallop at 5f seems to be the key to her and she makes plenty of each-way appeal
York 4.10: Master Builder & Say What You See
There are two stand outs in this race and I will be backing both.
MASTER BUILDER looks to be best fresh and confirmed as much when well backed and justifying that support in winning over this course and distance at the Dante meeting. Second on his seasonal debuts in 2024 and 2025, he was simply not the same horse in the second half of last season, finishing down the field on a regular basis.
That did mean him dropping well down the ratings, but it looks like he is being trained differently and presumably this race has been the target for some time, as he has been kept fresh over the summer. He has been upped 7lbs but remains 4lbs below the mark on which he started 2025 with a fine second in the Great Metropolitan at Epsom. Third in the 2024 Melrose here, the long finishing straight and flat track at York is clearly suited to him.
SAY WHAT YOU SEE steps up in class here, but has been very progressive and this horse will have conditions to suit as connections have been at pains to keep him away from fast ground this summer. He was a comfortable winner at the Leger meeting at Doncaster last season (though later disqualified for a banned substance in his system) on similar going to today. He then started this season with a solid third at the same track on good-to-soft again.
When there was some rain around in early June he was able to win back to back over a 4 day period at both Pontefract and here, first time cheekpieces apparently helping on the latter occasion. Given the recent drought, the only run he has managed since was on the All Weather at Southwell when a strong finishing second. However he has found his ground today and he remains on a good racing weight, making him strong each-way value.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Blue Courvoisier – 1.50 York – 8/1 Bet365, William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Jeddaal – 1.50 York – 14/1 Betfred, Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Rayevka – 3.35 York – 13/2 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Master Builder – 4.10 York – 6/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Say What You See – 4.10 York – 12/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)
