14:40 Sandown

The day’s best bet is HOLD A DREAM in the Listed Scurry Stakes. She wasn’t disgraced when fifth behind Symbol Of Honour at Newbury having shown plenty of speed on the front end for much of the race. 

She had previously finished in front of Star Of Mehmas on her return at Chelmsford where she had Arabian Dusk in behind, who went close in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on her next start. 

The selection will meet Star Of Mehmas on 4lb better terms, so there’s every chance of her confirming her superiority, yet she isn’t favourite. I think the drop in trip to five furlongs will be massively beneficial given her mid-race pace.

She came close to beating the now 110-rated Sky Majesty on debut, which was her only previous start over the distance. She is hugely favoured by the weights and should prove difficult to beat.

HOLD A DREAM, 2pts WIN, 11/4

15:35 York

It’s hard to have maximum confidence in big-field handicaps, but I’m strong on the chances of TUCO SALAMANCA at double-digits, the mount of Nicola Currie for the Ollie Sangster team. 

He is proving extremely consistent in the handicapping sphere and has held his form well since completing a hat trick of wins last March. Rewatching his Newcastle effort (fourth) in the three-year-old all-weather championship handicap, he was very unfortunate not to win that race. 

 

Stuck behind a wall of horses down the stand-side rail when travelling best of all, it was remarkable how close he managed to get, as he picked up strongly in between small gaps to almost snatch third. 

There’s little doubt he would have won that with a clear run given how well he finished from a possible position and he’s still only 3lb higher. He did best of the near-side group when second of 16 at Ascot next time out before finishing a good third of 14 at Goodwood when last seen. 

Off an unchanged mark, with lots of pace bound to be on offer, I’m convinced this horse has a valuable pot in him. Back him each-way with most bookmakers paying five places.

TUCO SALAMANCA, 0.5pts E/W, 10/1, 5 places