A Couple From The Knavesmire On Sunday

A good day for the blog yesterday, but it could have been even better if Duretto would have just bloody gone by Wonder Laish like he was supposed to! At least it wasn't another loser though, and Hassle also ran a cracker to finish 3rd at Haydock. He is one to keep an eye on for his next couple of starts.

There are two horses that catch my eye today, and they both go at York. In the 2.30, a 10f handicap, El Beau is the horse that is of interest. This 4yo gelded son of Camacho returned from a break after a successful spell hurdling with a fine effort over 9f at Hamilton. That came off a mark of 76, the same as he has today, and he ran a lovely race, staying on nicely for 5th in the final furlong.

He will strip fitter for that effort, his first run since March, and he will also appreciate the extra furlong. He went close last season off this mark over 10f at Chester, and he followed that up with a cracking effort in 6th over today's course and distance in a stronger race than today's. Both those efforts came off 76, and with useful young claimer Joe Doyle taking off a handy 3lb he should run a big race today. His trainer has been amongst the winners in recent weeks too, another positive, and he looks too big a price at 20/1.

The other horse that I fancy today is a beautifully bred Yeats filly trained by George Moore, and she goes in the 2m handicap at 4.05. Lady Yeats has been ultra consistent this season, except on her seasonal return, and she went mightily close last time at Chester, an all the more impressive run when you consider she lost ground at the start having been hampered.

Connections reach for the visor today, and hopefully that will sharpen her up in the stalls and she breaks on terms. She has been raised 2lbs for that effort at Chester to a career high mark of 75, but she is only a 4yo and lightly raced so she could well be capable of defying it. She loves the trip, is in excellent form, and granted a better start she should go very close. She looks well worth an each way interest at 14/1.

STEVOS' SELECTIONS:    
 2.30 YORK-                  EL BEAU (20/1) E/W
                                               
 4.05 YORK-                  LADY YEATS (14/1) NAP E/W