Parish Looks Overpriced At York

Sophie Killoran was replaced by Sean Levey in the saddle on Saxo Jack earlier but he didn’t cover himself in glory. Saxo Jack looked to be travelling well as they approached the final two furlongs but Levey had him in behind a wall of horses. By the time he switched him out and found daylight the leaders had flown, but he picked up well and stayed on for 3rd. A nice drift out to 25s was an added bonus, and he is one to keep a close eye on in the coming weeks.

PJ McDonald has a good strike rate when riding for Loughnane.

Tomorrow I like the look of one at York, and I think Parish Boy could be well suited by the step up to 12f in the class 3 handicap at 15.15. This former Jim Bolger inmate hasn’t pulled up many trees since changing hands, but his handicap mark is slipping and back in March he finished in close proximity to some good horses at Wolves (8f) off a mark of 95 in a much hotter race than this one.

Josephine Gordon rode him that day and she dropped him in from a wide draw. He was always in rear and he ran in snatches, Gordon having to cajole him along from an early stage. However, he didn’t fall too far behind and as they turned in he kept on pretty strongly up the inside. He only finished 11th of 13, but he was only 5.5L behind the winner and a couple of lengths behind the likes of Examiner, Dream Walker and only a neck behind Top Notch Tonto.

David Loughnane decided to give him a couple of spins over hurdles after that run and he was well beaten on both occasions. He returned to the level at Chester (10f gd) and though he travelled well to a point he was outpaced as they turned for home and he got left behind. Josephine Gordon wasn’t too hard on him and I got the impression that they had another day in mind.

This 5yo son of New Approach was a Listed winner back in Ireland when in the care of Jim Bolger and he beat none other than Order Of St George in that contest at Leopardstown (8f yld). He is bred to stay tomorrow’s trip of 12f, by a Derby winner and a half brother to useful middle distance performer Desert Snow.

The handicapper has dropped him to a mark of 88 after that run at Chester so he is now 7lb lower than for that decent run at Wolves in class 2 company. He now drops into class 3 company and the booking of PJ McDonald looks significant. He has a fine record when riding for Loughnane, firing in 7 winners and earning 10 top 4 finishes from just 36 rides.

Loughnane and McDonald teamed up to good effect with Theodorico last week, and this horse has a very similar profile. He is undoubtedly a talented performer on his day and he should be well capable of getting involved off 88. He showed some of that old ability remained at Wolves and if the forecast rain arrives it will enhance his chance even further. I think 50/1 is far too big and at those odds Parish Boy is worth chancing each way for small stakes.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 15.15 YORK-PARISH BOY E/W @ 50/1