Searching for a York winner
Steve Hughes has his best bets for Thursday’s York card
From a pure racing point of view the eagerly anticipated match between Enable and Magical in the Yorkshire Oaks is the highlight. However from a betting perspective I am looking elsewhere on another ultra competitive card. Each-way betting was the way to go on Wednesday as we got both Arecibo (advised 14/1) and Elarqam (advised 11/1) placed.
York 3.00: Baltic Baron & Thrave
A typically wide open York handicap which definitely merits two against the field.
Baltic Baron does not have the greatest of win records (1-14), but has been at least placed in the majority and so an each-way bet looks a strong option. David O’Meara has made a huge success of his French imports and perhaps the recent combination of gelding plus a visor can work the oracle. He looked unlucky when fifth in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood and this wider, more galloping mile can see him to better effect.
Thrave has twice gone close in similar class 2 handicaps this season and this lightly raced 4yo also is worth an each-way wager. His one poor run this year came at the tighter Sandown track, but in three runs on galloping tracks he has prospered. He was perhaps in front too soon when collared close home at Newbury in the spring but battled on bravely for second at Newmarket last time. A bit of cover in a big field here should suit and I am sure his current mark of 96 can be exploited soon enough.
York 4.15: Search for a Song
In a race where plenty of these are trying to graduate from handicaps and others are stepping up in distance, Search for A Song is actually dropping in class and is already proven at 12f.
She was not seen on track until the end of May, but made a sparkling debut by winning a Fairyhouse debut by 4l. This enthusiastic type then came well clear of the rest of the field when chasing home Trethias in a listed contest at Naas.
Dermot Weld was sufficiently impressed to send his charge to the Irish Oaks where she finished a fine fourth, staying on well despite racing keenly. I think she will enjoy this galloping track and her end of season entries include races like the Leger. If she is to take in those sort of contests she will need to be winning at this level.
Recommended bets:
0.75pts each-way – Baltic Baron – 3.00 York – 9/1 general (Paddy Power & Skybet 1/5 odds 1st 6)
0.75pts each-way – Thrave – 3.00 York – 14/1 general (Skybet 1/5 odds 1st 6)
2pts win – Search for a Song – 4.15 York – 5/2 Bet365, Skybet
Next column – Friday 23rd August – York Day Three