York selections Friday 15th May
The final day of three at the Dante meeting at York and I am looking at a competitive handicap on the featured Yorkshire Cup on the card for a couple of bets today. Helnwein (advised 12/1) and Great Acclaim (12/1) were both placed for the each-way bets in the previous column on Saturday.
York 2.55: Tony Montana
Narrowly beaten into second place in this race last season, TONY MONTANA made a promising reappearance at Newbury last month on his first start for Kevin Phillipaert de Foy and can build on that over a more suitable trip today.
His sixth in the Spring Cup at Newbury was as good an effort as could be expected over a fast mile, given this horse is really a 10f specialist. What that run will have done is put him spot on for this race today. He was only beaten a head last year by Thunder Run and the winner (on same terms here) has not looked in the same form of late.
He showed when a good second at the Curragh at the Irish Champions Weekend that he can handle a little cut and he has enough good runs at this track to suggest a big prize can come his way here. I don’t think this race quite has the depth to it of last year’s renewal
York 4.05: Rahiebb
A fascinating Yorkshire Cup with plenty of 4yo’s looking to show their credentials for future Cup tests to come. Amiloc is the obvious favourite having displayed the best form last season, but at slightly better odds I prefer the claims of RAHIEBB who is generally a better traveller in his races and might therefore be a better fit for this track.
A decent second to the progressive Merchant at this meeting last season, he improved continually through the season from there, culminating in a narrow second place to Scandinavia in the St Leger, clearly a career best. He showed an abundance of stamina that day, plus the ability to handle some cut which will be useful here.
A fine third in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot confirmed he had good speed on fast ground too and the fact he won first time out last season at Newcastle will hopefully mean he can make a big impression on his seasonal debut. He surely has the scope to improve again from three to four.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Tony Montana – 2.55 York – 9/2 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – Rahiebb – 4.5 York – 4/1 William Hill, Betfred
