A nice more than 5 times stakes return for yesterday’s yankee despite the withdrawal of our nap. York’s big Ebor meeting is today’s focus.
The Daily Yankee:
NAP OF THE DAY: Evie Speed, (1650 York), 2pts win, 7/1 generally available
This nursery is targeted by northern trainers, and this time it could be Jedd O’Keefe lifting the spoils. His filly Evie Speed has looked useful on all three starts and really caught the eye when making all in destructive fashion as Ripon. That early speed is crucial in this race where is pays to be handy from the off. She has a nice middle draw and a rating of 80 looks potentially a gift and has snuck her in exactly at the foot of the weights. She looks a good thing.
El Astronaute, (1355 York), 11/1: John Quinn’s sprinter is a placepot banker having hit the frame on all 9 runs this year, with just one win, here off a 3lb lower mark in May. He was 4th behind our nap that day Tis Marvellous at Ascot last time, but we are happy to swap this time as, with Rossa Ryan’s valuable claim, there is an 8lb swing for 3 lengths. That should make it close, but this track on quick ground is hugely speed favouring and will suit our pick’s blaze away tactics in the same way that Ascot’s contrasting stiff finish suited Tis Marvellous’s more patient approach. Back Astronaute to lift off from the stalls and rocket home in the opener.
Poet’s Word, (1535 York), 13/8: Michael Stoute’s 5yo has, if the rating’s are to be believed, improved to be Europe’s leading racehorse this season with a stellar rating of 130. That is 8lbs ahead of market rival Roaring Lion, and on the consistent Hawkbill’s distant view of both horses this year, that 8lbs is more than justified. Saxon Warrior should finish close with Roaring Lion (again), but they are similar horses on the book and Poet’s Word is as likely to have the beating of both as he is of one. Should probably be odds on.
Genetics, (1615 York), 8/1: Aptly, given his name, it is only breeding that suggests this fella will enjoy 2 miles having never previously gone beyond 12f. That said he has been improving fast and is 8lbs up for a 12 length destruction of a handicap at Ascot last time. That is hard to read as the front two blazed miles clear, and whilst his fellow pacemaker fell apart, he remained gloriously clear at the finish. Either he pinched it with canny pacing, or he has tons in hand and can win despite haring off too fast. Regular jockey Probert is back on board and likely to play a cooler game, but it is worth risking him in a field that is otherwise pretty undistinguished.
Please subscribe for latest tips and news, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
