York selections Friday 23rd August
Despite a wild and windy morning, conditions look set to continue on the fast side for day 3 at York, an afternoon highlighted by the Nunthorpe Stakes over the flying 5f. This looks set up nicely for the Australian raider to plunder the prize. In total I have selections for four races on the card. We had to settle for a couple of each-way places on Thursday with You Got To Me (SP 9/2) and Miss Information (advised 5/1).
York 1.50: Shadow Dance
Although the ground is still on the fast side at York, the sting will have been taken out of it by the overnight rain and that should allow SHADOW DANCE to give of his best this afternoon.
A progressive sort as a 3yo, he convincingly won a Haydock handicap at his first attempt at 12f last autumn (also handicap debut) before achieving even more when second in one of the most valuable 3yo handicaps in the calendar at Newmarket. He was gelded over the winter, but presumably met with a small setback as we did not see him in 2024 until Royal Ascot.
He was understandably rusty when always behind that day, but the very fast ground might not have suited. However he looked back near his best when just touched off by Ebor contender Iron Lion at Ripon last month, despite looking ill at ease on the undulations. This flatter, galloping track will be more to his liking and he looks a class act who can improve beyond his current rating of 95. He can provide a silver lining to the end of a trying week for trainer Roger Varian.
York 2.25: Point Lonsdale
The Ballydoyle team have dominated all week on the Knavesmire and in POINT LONSDALE they have the potential winner of the Lonsdale.
This will be his first attempt at 2m, but he has looked a relentless galloper who had looked a bit short of pace in the top middle distance races, such as when third in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. However when the emphasis was on stamina at Chester, his first attempt beyond 12f, he responded by storming to a 6l win over Arrest.
He was a solid third in Group 1 company at Saint Cloud last time when outpaced over 12f, but I think we will see him to best effect at 2m. His full brother Broome landed the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m last season before being campaigned in all the major Cup races, so there is every chance he will see out the 2m as he has quite a relaxed racing style.
York 3.35: Asfoora
I think the Nunthorpe is best left to the sole Australian sprinter to visit our shores this season in ASFOORA,
After a pipeopener on unsuitably soft ground at Haydock, she was trained to be at her peak for Royal Ascot, where she wore down Big Evs late on in the King Charles over 5f. She had the tactical pace to race prominently that day, before her superior stamina kicked in late on.
Over Goodwood’s downland 5f, she just ran out of time to catch Big Evs on that occasion, but only just. Whilst York’s 5f is still very sharp, the flatter track should allow her to keep in contention and pick off Big Evs late on. She enjoys fast ground so conditions will remain in her favour.
York 5.20: Midnight Gun
A scopey improving colt, MIDNIGHT GUN can make up for a narrow defeat at Glorious Goodwood last time, perhaps back over a more suitable trip.
He won over a mile in a novice at Nottingham and then on handicap debut at Newmarket in the spring, prompting Wathnan Racing into purchasing him as they clearly view him as a potential group race performer of the future. However they kept him in handicap company at Goodwood where he travelled like the winner for the most part, cruising alongside the leaders over 2f out.
James Doyle had to take a pull for a while before unleashing him, but in the end he was outstayed with Approval getting up close home. That race was over 10f, and whilst he might be seen to best effect over that trip in time, for now 8f looks his optimum. He has the cruising speed to find an early position here and will see out his race better at this distance.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Shadow Dance – 1.50 York – 11/2 William Hill, Betfred (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – Point Lonsdale – 2.25 York – 5/2 general
1pt win – Asfoora – 3,35 York – 6/4 general
1pt each-way – Midnight Gun – 5.20 York – 8/1 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
