2.20 York

This appears one of the most open renewals in years but a position away from the stands’ rail appeared to be the place to race yesterday and NEOLA (Best price 11-2) could give a bold sight from a low berth. Graham Lee was seen to good effect on the Knavesmire yesterday when partnering the last winner and he could make it back-to-back wins aboard the daughter of Foxwedge who takes a marked step up in class in the day’s opener. It may seem a stiff ask to leap from a minor event at Nottingham into Listed company, but Neola herself took giant strides after a modest debut to spread-eagle a reasonably competitive field and score with authority last Friday. This looks a tough race to play in but she could give another good account with her yard among the winners.

Neola - 0.5pts e/w @ 11/2

2.55 York

The absence of original fancy Princess De Lune has left me clutching at straws here but, in the hope ON HER TOES (Best price 7-2) is ready to go following a lengthy absence, then William Haggas’ filly gains the vote. As we have seen this week, Yorkshire-born Haggas relished a winner on the Knavesmire so this could well have been the plan for some time for his Kodiac filly who ran to a pretty decent standard as a juvenile and could put her experience to good use here with her ability to handle easy ground a huge attribute.

On Her Toes - 0.5pts @ 7/2

3.30 York

CRIMEAN TATAR (Best price 15-2) has a couple of lengths to find with Muntahaa from their running in a Newbury Group Three last time (John Porter Stakes) but today’s stiffer test of stamina could see the Sea The Stars colt register a first Group win for connections. The four-year-old was putting in all his best work at the line on his comeback where he kept finding for pressure in a pleasing display. Today’s underfoot conditions are somewhat of a trip into the unknown, but the selection is a largely unexposed high-class stayer in the making and the fitness edge he enjoys over the likes of Dartmouth and Endless Time may be exploited this afternoon.

Crimean Tatar - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1

4.05 York

The four millimetres of rain that fell on the Knavesmire last night will have pleased connections of CYMRO (Best price 9-1) who were keen to run their five-year-old at Chester but were denied the opportunity by fast conditions. There should be no such issue today for the Dark Angel colt who shaped with plenty of promise over an inadequate trip at Pontefract on his return and the return to a flatter, more galloping track should also play to the strengths of the grey who has returned to a winning mark. There also seems no coincidence that his best displays are recorded at the beginning and conclusion of a season when the ground is at its kindest.

Cymro - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1

2.35 Newbury

Having won the Starlight handicap for the last two seasons, CLEAR SPRING (Best price 7-1) is fancied to complete the hat-trick after an encouraging Newmarket comeback on ground which was arguably too quick. The veteran speedster was far from disgraced at HQ considering he was entitled to need the outing and connections were always likely to have one eye on this race as an early season objective. His yard, which doesn’t house that many horses these days, struck with a sprint handicapper at Brighton earlier this week and their representative can cap a decent career with another prominent showing in this event.

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Clear Spring - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1