13:40 York

Leg 1 Selections: Pilgrim 

Ziggy’s Condor was in front of PILGRIM when the pair finished second and fourth respectively at York but the latter is 5Ib better off with that rival at the weights here and must have every chance of reversing the form. He hit the line strongly on his first crack at this distance in that race last time and, with Joe Fanning retained to ride, he could offer some value in the opener. 

14:15 York

Leg 2 Selections: Catch The Paddy

Kevin Ryan’s CATCH THE PADDY predominately saves his best form for this course and enhanced his fine record here with a good second in a tougher race last-time-out, where he fared best of those held-up. He was only beaten three parts of a length by Silver Sword, which was his first run following a gelding operation, and a pound rise is realistically fair. He could be the answer to this contest now he has his sights lowered. 

14:45 York

Leg 3 Selections: Yorkindness, Gibside, Red Force One, Tendentious 

It would be incautious to rule out any of the quartet in this stayers’ event. YORKINDESS couldn’t quite land the hat-trick at Musselburgh last-time-out but remains in good form and should again go well. GIBSIDE has a good record here and is dangerously well-treated, while the well-treated RED FORCE ONE and recent Redcar scorer, TENDENTIOUS, are worth inclusion in this tight contest too. 

15:15 York

Leg 4 Selections: Batal Zabeel, Tropical Island 

I am hoping Pilgrim in the opener can give the chances of BATAL ZABEEL a bit of a boost, who was behind the latter at Ayr back in July, and Kevin Ryan’s charge opened his account at Beverley on handicap debut a fortnight ago. He merits consideration back over this longer trip, though TROPICAL ISLAND ran a good race when second at Ripon last-time-out and is feared most under William Buick. 

15:50 York

Leg 5 Selections: Emaraaty Ana, Desert Cop

The feature race could see EMARAATY ANA back to winning ways, a former Group 1 winner who has placed in a pair of Nunthorpe events at this course, a Haydock Sprint Cup and a Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which are quality pieces of form when put in context. Back on track after marginally being denied by Lezoo last month, he could be impossible to beat. King’s Stand sixth DESERT COP, however, is included as cover. 

16:25 York

Leg 6 Selections: Animato, Eetee, Feel The Need

This is extremely wide-open but I am playing a trio of David O’Meara runners here, who all have a decent chance. ANIMATO is 2Ib below his last winning mark and could get involved, while EETEE is only 1Ib higher than when he scored at Redcar and has a good overall record at this course. Meanwhile, stablemate to the previously-mentioned pair, FEEL THE NEED, is down to a career-low mark and isn’t to be ruled out.