Rain softened ground just scuppered our 3pt nap yesterday, we’re on recovery mission today….
The Daily Yankee
NAP OF THE DAY: Summerghand, (1550 York), 2pts win, 10/1:
An end of season soft ground sprint could be a launchpad for Hey Jonesy to find his form, or for the 3yo Aplomb to continue his upward march. However both may struggle to cope with the consistent Summerghand who handles this ground and finally gets to lower his sights a fraction. Has placed in the Wokingham, the Stewards Cup, the Great St Wilfrid, the Ayr Gold Cup and in last weekends big Ascot 7f handicap. His mark has barely changed, but the opposition does, and he finally has a chance to get his nose in front.
Johnny Drama, (1515 York), 4/1: a high quality handicap but low on numbers. The softened ground may not suit the likes of Big Country and possibly favourite Harrovian. No such ground fears for Johnny Drama and if we forgive him a below par effort at Newbury, his previous second here at the big Ebor meeting was cracking form. He can hold off Dark Vision, who will definitely come good one day, but again one for a faster surface perhaps.
Buildmeupbuttercup, (1610 Newmarket), 6/1: there are a number of routes into the form of this great staying handicap, with Ranch Hand the obvious improver whose form was franked in style yesterday, but an extra 4f is an unknown. Timoshenko should enjoy it and has not been over-burdened for his Goodwood win, but the usual start and end point for a race like this is Willie Mullins. We have a lot of time for Galway winner Great White Shark under William Buick and from a nice draw in 10. She looks an each way steal. But the booking of Frankie Dettori for Buildmeupbuttercup is a big signal. She has gone close in a couple of good handicaps this season including a Royal Ascot race that is invariably a good guide to this. Her second last time was over a shorter trip and she finished fast to chase home a very progressive rival. Stall 21 is a bit trickier than ideal, and enough to rob her of nap status, but no better man than Frankie to chart a course.
Arrowtown, (1700 York), 9/2: trusty old mare who was runner up in this race in 2017 before winning it comfortably last year on soft ground. Doesn’t approach this year’s race in such obviously good form having been very late back to the track with a credible 9th in a very good Haydock race before looking one paced on a quicker surface at Ayr. Returns to her favourite track, with her ideal ground, and with the cobwebs truly blown away and a return to her best is expected.
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