Steve Ryder is back with two selections to follow at York today.
2:25 YorkSee All Odds
Al Nayyir 9/1 (0.5pt ew)
The Tom Clover trained AL NAYYIR (best priced at 9/1) has a good record at this track in his career and he can bounce back from a slightly below par effort in the Gold Cup. The eight-year-old finished a short head 2nd behind Vauban in this race in 2024 before finishing 3rd last year behind the stalwarts Trawlerman and Sweet William, both of whom have been retired this season.
Al Nayyir won in Meydan on his reappearance before placing at the same track and over this course and distance behind Rahiebb in the Yorkshire Cup. William Buick deputises on board and he should hold solid each way claims.
4:45 YorkSee All Odds
Lancaster Tower 9/4 (1pt)
The John & Thady Gosden trained LANCASTER TOWER (best priced at 9/4) is a half brother to both Crown Estate and Portcullis who made a really encouraging debut at Sandown. The son of Kingman was sent off a well supported 5/6 shot that day and looked the most likely winner entering the two final furlongs of the race before a combination of fitness and inexperience resulted in him weakening into third.
The winner that day Quest For Stars won the listed Stonehenge Stakes on his next start and although the runner-up Grove Street was beaten at 2/5 earlier this week, himself and the winner did pull 5 ½ lengths clear of the third. Lancaster Tower holds entries for both the Royal Lodge Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes later in the season and he is expected to get off the mark at the second attempt.
