2.20 York

The presence of rain on watered ground adds further complexity to this event which is, as usual, very keenly contested. Both Al Neksh and Shabeeb are likely improvers, while Lovell represents an operation which has enjoyed plenty of success in this opener to the Ebor meeting. However, narrow preference is for ERIK THE RED (Best price 12-1) who was third in this race last year and shaped with promise at Newcastle on his comeback. There is every chance the five-year-old will have benefited from that seasonal reappearance and the return to turf should also assist a horse who resides on a rather lengthy losing run, but remains a live contender in handicaps of this nature even if his wins-to-runs ratio isn’t what it once was. I did also toy with putting up Master Carpenter as he returns to the scene of his premier handicap success in the John Smith’s Handicap two seasons ago and he wasn’t assisted by a poor draw in a warm Newbury handicap last time (working out well). The step up in trip should be to his liking as will any cut in the ground so he could outrun his morning odds.

Erik The Red - 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1

2.55 York

MUNTADAB (Best price 15-2) has hit the crossbar a couple of times this season in strong, well-contested handicaps, but could gain compensation here with conditions to his liking. There appears some pace over the far side of the track, not least with the selection likely to be ridden handy, and the five-year-old’s profile suggests that he should cope with underfoot conditions on the Knavesmire. Two of the gelding’s five wins have come in fields of more than 17 runners (from four starts) so a big-field and the pace usually associated with a raft of runners appear to hold no terrors.
Muntadab - 0.5pts e/w @ 15/2

3.30 York

A host of quality sprinters take to the Knavesmire for this race and, in the hope that The Tin Man and Magical Memory have Royal Ascot in five weeks as more of primary target, preference is for BRANDO (Best price 5-2) who looked a sprinter to keep onside this season. Kevin Ryan’s speedster duly made a smooth comeback at Newmarket, picking off an exuberant front-running rival with 100 yards to run to score cosily and stamp himself as a chief contender for a race of this nature. There is always a danger that a horse of his profile could be over bet, especially as he is yet to register a York win in five starts. However, he has a valuable fitness edge on his rivals and a nice middle berth to exploit so has to be supported.
Brando - 2pts @ 5/2

4.05 York

Shutter Speed, who is set for either a tilt at either the French or English Oaks in the near future, confirmed her class with a comeback win at Newbury and is clearly a class act in the making. However, she will be an extremely short price to follow up and, although the soft ground was no barrier to her winning on debut in a Yarmouth maiden, connections have expressed their concern at the volume of forecast rain. Therefore, there looks merit in supporting VOCIFEROUS MARINA (Best price 11-2) who displayed a great turn of foot to win a Navan Listed event in the first-time tongue tie and is well regarded. Trainer Jim Bolger hasn’t entered his filly in the Epsom Oaks, but she has some lofty engagements planned in the months to come and the disparity between her price and that of the favourite looks too wide.

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Vociferous Marina - 1pt @ 11/2