York Day 3 Preview

We were back in business big style on Day 2, with Tasleet winning at 2/1 and Pleascach also delivering at 8/1. With Melvin The Grate and Secret Hint also placing at 33/1(adv) and 12/1 (adv) respectively it was a profitable day, and hopefully it will be more of the same on  Friday, with the Nunthorpe being the feature. Below are my selections for day 3.

1.55 Class 2 Handicap (1m4f)

A nice and easy introduction for punters...with just the 20 going to post in an ultra competitive handicap. Mistiroc is a horse that caught my eye on his last run here, back in June over 10F, when he ran a cracker behind Donny Rover, getting outpaced in the final furlong only to stay on well again close home to regain 2nd.

He again caught the eye last time at Ayr 10F , travelling best with nowhere to go 2 furlongs out, shuffled back through the field before staying on like a train when switched out wide for a run when the race was all but over. He returns to York upped to what I believe to be his optimum trip, and he could be set to run a huge race for Jim Goldie.

STEVOS' SELECTION: MISTIROC (E/W) 20/1.

2.30 Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (2m88y)

Max Dynamite has some serious flat and hurdle form to his name, and the booking of Frankie certainly catches the eye on the Irish raider. His 2nd to Quest For More in the Northumberland Plate was a smashing effort off a mark of 104, and he definitely deserves his place in this field.

 He went close in a Group 2 back in France as a 3yo (11.5F), staying on strongly and beaten less than a length for the win, just failing for third.He will stay the trip, goes on easy ground and he should be there or thereabouts for Willie Mullins.

STEVOS' SELECTION: MAX DYNAMITE (E/W) 12/1.

3.05 Listed City Of York Stakes (7f)

We had a couple of placed horses trained by Andrew Balding yesterday, and the old adage 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' sprang to mind when I looked at this race. He has Intransigent here, already a dual Listed winner, including on soft ground over this trip, and he has finished close up on both his starts over 7F this season.

On his last start over 6F he shaped as if he was in good form, and looked as though he was crying out for a return to this sort of trip. Rain won't inconvenience him, his trainer has his string in fine form, and if David Probert can get this fella to settle early and deliver him as late as possible he will surely be bang there at the business end. At the generous current odds of 14/1 he rates as a confident e/w selection.

If it comes up soft another one to note is Ontoawinner star Toocoolforschool, who bagged a group 2 on soft ground last year very easily. If there is enough rain he could well run a big race dropped in grade with a very interesting jockey booked (rode winner for connections in France earlier this week)

STEVOS' SELECTIONS: INTRANSIGENT (E/W) 14/1. TOOCOOLFORSCHOOL (E/W) 28/1.

3.40 Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (5f)

This will be a spectacular sight, with twenty of the fastest equine superstars on the planet careering down the Knavesmire at breakneck speed over the flying 5 furlongs.

 Acapulco is an obvious starting point, and she receives a ridiculous amount of weight from her rivals due to her age/sex allowances. This 2yo filly produced an devastating display of dash at Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary, travelling powerfully into the lead 2f out and putting the race to bed quickly, staying on strongly all the way to the line. Visually it was an impressive performance, and at 2/1 she looks to have every chance. The only unknown would be if it came up soft, and if it does it raises enough doubts for me to let her run without the burden of my few bob on her back.

Sole Power is back to defend his crown, and many will be tempted by the 9/1 available about the admirable old boy. He is eight now though, and easy ground is no good to him, so he will have to overcome a lot if he is to complete a hat trick of wins.

At huge odds the filly Wind Fire could run well for David Brown. Jamie Spencer takes the ride, and he has been on board for two of her three career wins. She didn't run well upped to this level at Ascot on her second start this season but she has gone close on three other runs, and looked an unlucky loser at Haydock in a Group 2, and again in a Group 3 at Sandown. Her run at the Curragh last time out was again a good one, possibly given too much to do, and at her current odds of 40/1 she could well run into a place under a patient Spencer ride.

STEVOS' SELECTION: ACAPULCO (only if ground is good or better) 2/1.                                                                                  WIND FIRE (E/W) 40/1.

4.20 Class 2 Maiden (7f)

No strong opinion in what looks a very tricky heat for punters. At a price the Mark Johnston trained Yorkee Mo Sabee could run well. His debut run at Goodwood was promising, and this son of Teofilo is well related.

STEVOS' SELECTION: YORKEE MO SABEE 20/1.

4.55 Class 2 Handicap (8f)

Another race where small stakes are advisable, with any amount of unexposed types taking their chances. Taylani is the selection for the in form William Haggas. Is well bred, by Halling, and his dam is out of a Lowther winner. Has looked very promising so far with two effortless handicap turf wins, including one here, and even though he is 12lb higher now off 88 he has a pedigree that suggests he can progress even further. Joe Fanning is 13/62 for Haggas, a 21% strike rate, and he looks sure to run a big race in a wide open handicap.

STEVOS' SELECTION: TAYLANI 6/1.