The form of the Virgin Bet-sponsored Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh last month is rock solid. The winner, American Affair, and the runner-up, Jm Jungle, filled the same two places in a hotter race at York yesterday off their revised marks.
Fifth at Musselburgh after being backed into 2-1 favourite was COVER UP trained by the father and son team of Simon and Ed Crisford. The five-year-old gelding was beaten less than three lengths but I am pretty sure he is better than that.
The horse can be tricky at the start but tomorrow he will be in the safe hands of William Buick, who has won on him three times before, when he runs in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap at Newbury (3.45 p.m.).
The race, over six furlongs, has attracted 12 runners for a first prize of more than £38,000. At the time of writing, only William Hill was offering prices on the contest so back Cover Up 1 point each way at 17-2 with that bookmaker, paying four places. However, you might well get better odds on the horse later today with other bookies.
As usual, York has delivered some wonderful fare this week and it stages the final day of its May meeting today. I like a couple of horses in the same race: the Knights Solicitors Handicap (2.42 p.m.), a competitive contest over more than 10 furlongs for a first prize of nearly £31,000.
My first fancy is AUSTRIAN THEORY for the local Tim Easterby yard because this six-year-old gelding was unlucky in a Chester handicap just eight days ago. Running from a poor outside draw in stall 12, he was short of room entering the straight and then failed to haul in the winner Paddy The Squire.
Austrian Theory is up 2 lbs in the official ratings for that run but a mark of 87 is still fair on his best form. Back him 1 point each way at 8-1 with Paddy Power, Ladbrokes or Coral, all paying four places.
However, I also want to be on ZAIN BLUE for the John Butler/Connor Beasley trainer/jockey combination. Newmarket handler Butler has his string in fine form and he also has a good record when sending his horses up to York.
Zain Blue clearly needed his first run of the season when down the field in a Newmarket handicap last month but he will be fitter today and the step up in trip looks sure to be in his favour.
The four-year-old colt also has winning form at York from his final start last season and cheekpieces, fitted that day, are back on for his race later today. In short, he ticks a lot of the right boxes and so back him 1 point each way at 10-1 with bet365, Paddy Power or BetVictor, all offering four places.
The Group 2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup at York (3.45 p.m.) has attracted only five runners and one horse, Rebel’s Romance, has easily the best form. However, at odds of little better than evens on this seven-year-old gelding, it’s easy just to watch this race and enjoy it with no financial interest.
Next week I will take an early look at Royal Ascot which runs for five days from Tuesday June 17 to Saturday June 21 inclusive.
Pending:
1 point each way Austrian Theory at 8-1 for theKnights Solicitors Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Zain Blue at 10-1for the Knights Solicitors Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Cover Up at 17-2 for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
Last weekend: + 2.2 points.
1 point each way Zoffee at 20-1 for the Chester Cup, paying ¼ odds, 4 places. 3rd. + 4 points.
1 point each way Caballo de Mar at 6-1 for the Chester Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. 2nd. + 0.2 point.
1 point each way Metal Merchant at 11-1 for the Victoria Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 7 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2025 flat season running total – 1.8 points.
2024-5 jump season: – 47.61 points.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jump season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jump season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
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