14:05 York

Leg 1 Selections: Pilgrim, Harry Bassett  

PILGRIM has run very well at this course the last twice including when fourth of 22 before finishing runner-up last time, both of which have come over this distance. He wouldn’t need to improve much more to go well here as this is a drop in grade from each of those previous assignments. 

HARRY BASSETT is an interesting newcomer from the Amy Murphy team, who is related to several winners and could go well if the market speaks in his favour. Richard Kingscote is a notable jockey booking too. 

14:40 York

Leg 2 Selections: Spectacular Style, Cavern Club 

SPECTACULAR STYLE only found one too good when second in his first three starts before opening his account emphatically by 20 lengths at Hamilton. He ran very well in a similar race to this when fourth at Newmarket last time, where he was doing his best work at the finish, and should be suited to the step up in trip. He can have a say in the outcome. 

Of the rest, don’t rule out CAVERN CLUB who has been in good form of late, winning at Newmarket before a good second at Doncaster last-time-out. His mark has only gone up a couple of pounds as a consequence, so he is likely to remain competitive. 

15:15 York

Leg 3 Selections: Candonomore, The Coffee Pod

CANDONOMORE looked potentially above-average when marginally edged out in a sustained battle with subsequent Acomb-third Loose Cannon on debut over course-and-distance. He couldn’t repeat that performance at Thirsk next time but wasn’t beaten far into third on the disadvantageous soft ground. 

He remains capable of better and is strongly fancied to go close on his return to the Knavesmire. THE COFFEE POD confirmed the promise of his first couple of starts when winning easily at this course last month and is also open to improvement, so he can be shortlisted. This is a high-quality contest. 

15:50 York

Leg 4 Selections: Orbaan, Hafeet Alain, La Trinidad, Millebosc

Plenty to consider in this tightly-knit handicap, so I will play a quartet of picks. ORBAAN has been winless since August last year but ran with credit to finish fifth of 17 here on his penultimate start and his last win came off a six pounds higher mark. This former course-and-distance winner, who runs this course well, must be feared in a first-time visor. 

I have included HAFEET ALAIN who went close last time when second by only a head and has the class to go very well. LA TRINIDAD remains in good heart and is another course-and-distance winner to consider, while MILLEBOSC represents a stable who won this twelve months ago and ran his best race of the year when a neck second at Haydock last time. 

16:25 York

Leg 5 Selections: Mon Na Slieve, Good Point 

MON NA SLIEVE succeeded from the front over course-and-distance on debut and although he has not yet added to that win in a trio of starts since, all of those three subsequent starts have either came in Listed or Group 2 company. 

This is a major ease in grade, so he could be tough to overhaul if he can dictate. I think he has a great chance in all fairness. GOOD POINT has made the frame in his last three starts since his poor debut effort and is sure to go well again with more to come. 

17:00 York

Leg 6 Selections: Wen Moon, Nomadic Empire 

WEN MOON has advanced his form the last twice since the headgear has been left off in which he has finished second over course-and-distance including when narrowly beaten by the reopposing Looking For Lynda on the first occasion. 

He is better off at the weights with the winner today plus his latest second when only beaten a neck by Vintage Clarets reads well. He is a leading contender, while NOMADIC EMPIRE has lots of wins and placed efforts here off higher marks and could run a big race.