Two to follow from Steve Ryder on Tuesday.
4:10 YorkSee All Odds
Valedictory 5/1 (1pt ew)
This looks a competitive renewal of the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap but preference goes to VALEDICTORY (best priced at 5/1) who should bounce back from a slightly below par effort at Glorious Goodwood. The John & Thady Gosden trained gelding won at both Goodwood and Newmarket when upped in trip to 1m6f and fitted with cheekpieces.
William Buick was nudging away on Valedictory from an early stage of the race last time, giving the impression that these first-time blinkers look a good move as well as this step up in trip to 2 miles. He was sent off 5/2 favourite that day but you are getting a bigger price in this race off the same mark and with arguably more things in his favour.
4:20 CarlisleSee All Odds
Count Palatine 14/1 (0.5pt ew)
The Michael Dods trained COUNT PALATINE (best priced at 14/1) will no doubt appreciate this return to Carlisle and he looks overpriced following an encouraging run at Ayr last time. The five-year-old won this race last season off a mark of 74 and ran well here in May when 3rd beaten only two lengths off a mark of 80 on his only other start at this track.
Count Palatine was only beaten three lengths at Ayr last time when 6th off a mark of 79 and the handicapper has been generous in dropping him 1lb for that defeat. This stiff 7f at Carlisle should be ideal and he looks sure to run well.
