York’s Ebor meeting next week is one of the highlights of the racing calendar with four days of quality fare on offer from Wednesday onwards. York is a flat, left-handed track suitable for strong galloping horses yet for some inexplicable reason quite a lot of thoroughbreds fail to act on what should be a fair course for one and all.
For that reason, it makes sense to back horses with strong form on the track. Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a big admirer of local trainer Ed Bethell, whose yard is in the Yorkshire Dales. Most of Bethell’s best horses have run at York at some point and there is no doubt that several of these will have been specifically targeted at this big meeting.
Bethell, who is only 29, is enjoying an excellent season with 33 winners from 133 runners for a strike rate of 25 per cent. Since taking over the yard from his father James at the start of 2021, Bethell Jnr has expanded the operation and now has almost 60 racehorses in his care. There is no doubt that anyone entering racehorse ownership, particularly living in the north, could do far worse than putting their charge in Bethell’s care.
In an interview with the Racing Post published this week, the ambitious handler said: ‘Dad had a lot of success at York and it’s always been a place we want to have runners. The Ebor meeting is the biggest of our season. It’s where every northern trainer wants to have runners and winners because of our catchment area.’
I hope and expect Bethell to leave his mark on this year’s Ebor meeting starting on Thursday when POINT LYNAS is due to take his chance in the highly-competitive Clipper Handicap over a mile.
This four-year-old gelding has been progressive this season until running last time out at Royal Ascot when he was only 14th of the 30 runners in the Royal Hunt Cup. Put a line through that run, however, because the usually excellent Tom Marquand got his fractions wrong that day leading the group on the nearside at a pace that even the legendary Frankel might have struggled to maintain over a mile.
Unsurprisingly, Point Lynas and the other front runners faded quickly in the final furlong and the race was won by Jimi Hendrix, who had been held up, while other held-up horses dominated the places.
Before that Point Lynas had run two big races, being runner-up to two good horses in competitive handicaps, one of them at York. Back Point Lynas each way for the Clipper Handicap at 25-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair, both paying four places. There will be more places available on the day but I doubt that 25-1 will still be on offer by next Thursday.
Point Lynas is a fast-ground horse who is unlikely to run, let alone win, if the going is very soft. However, if the weather forecast is correct then York, after some rain this weekend, is in for a dry, sunny week and so he should get his favoured conditions. Point Lynas still needs five horses to come out of the race before the off to make the ‘cut’ but that should happen.
At the prices, I can’t resist a second bet in the same race, this time on a horse from the in-form Ralph Beckett yard. SONNY LISTON disappointed when I put him up for the John Smith’s Cup at York last month. But I am inclined to think that poor run was simply because he pulled too hard over the longer trip rather than because he didn’t like the course. He certainly ran better in the Coral Golden Mile at Goodwood earlier this month when fifth behind Johan despite a troubled run.
Odds of 20-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Clipper Handicap are too big but I am going to suggest 2 points win, rather than each way, because if York simply is Sonny Liston’s track then he may finish out with the washing.
Just a word of warning: odds for this race will be temporarily suspended later this morning before the five-day declarations are published at around lunchtime.
As for this weekend, I am only going to put up only one bet, this time at Ripon in the William Hill Great St Wilfred Handicap (tomorrow, 3.15 p.m.). I thought MONSIEUR KODI won with plenty of hand at Glorious Goodwood two weeks ago and so a 3lbs rise in the ratings from the handicapper seems lenient.
High numbers are usually favoured in this six furlongs sprint but, when the ground is soft, that advantage can be minimised or completely nullified. So, with plenty of rain due overnight, Monsieur Kodi’s draw in stall two may not be a negative. All the more so since he hung right at Goodwood and so a direct run down the far rail could be just what the doctor ordered.
He certainly has the best jockey for the race in Connor Beasley, who has won the Great St Wilfred no less than three times in the last seven years. Back Monsieur Kodi each way at 15/2 with Sky Bet, paying a generous seven places.
I already have some firm thoughts on the Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York a week today and the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap at York a week tomorrow. However, with rain forecast over that weekend, I will keep my powder dry for those two races until I know the likely ground conditions. In the meantime, do enjoy the racing at York as this really is a meeting to savour at one of my favourite courses in the country.
2023 flat season running total: – 22.13 points.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
Pending:
1 point each way Monsieur Kodi at 15/2 in the Great St Wilfred, 1/5 odds, paying seven places.
1 point each way Point Lynas at 25-1 in the Clipper Handicap, ¼ odds, paying four places.
2 points win Sonny Liston at 20-1 in the Clipper Handicap.
Settled bets:
1 point each way Royal Scotsman at 17/2 in the 2000 Guineas, 1/5 odds, paying four places. 3rd. + 0.5 points.
1 point each way Call My Bluff at 4-1 in the Chester Cup, paying six places, 1/5th odds. 3rd. – 0.2 points.
1 point each way Safe Voyage at 12-1 in the Victoria Cup, paying seven places, 1/5th odds. 5th. + 1.4 points.
1 point each way Popmaster at 6-1 in the Connect It Utility Services Handicap
Unplaced. – 2 points
1 point each way Royal Acclaim at 6-1 in the Temple Stakes. Unplaced. – 2 point.
1 point each way Sprewell at 10-1 for the Derby paying 1/5 odds, five places. 4th. + 1 point.
1 point each way Arrest at 4-1 for the Derby, paying 1/5 odds, four places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Mokaatil at 12-1 for the Epsom Dash, paying 1/5th odds, seven places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2 points win Saga at 14-1 for the Royal Hunt Cup. Non Runner. – 2 points.
1 point each way Twilight Calls at 16-1 for the King’s Stand Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. 4th but Rule 4 deduction of 15p in the £. + 1.97 points.
2 points win Royal Scotsman at 14-1 for the St James’s Palace Stakes. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Zoffee at 14-1 for the Ascot Stakes, paying ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Chillingham at 22-1 for the Copper Horse Handicap, paying 1/5 odds, 5 places. 4th. + 3.4 points.
1 point each way Tarrabb at 10-1 for the Kensington Palace Fillies’ Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, seven places. 3rd. + 1 point.
1 point each way Point Lynas at 33-1 for the Royal Hunt Cup, paying 1/5 odds, six places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Atrium at 20-1 for the Royal Hunt Cup, paying 1/5 odds, seven places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Circle of Fire at 13/2 for the Queen’s Vase, paying 1/5th odds, four places. 4th. + 0.3 points.
2 points win Yibir at 11-1 for the Ascot Gold Cup. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Rhoscolyn at 22-1 for the Buckingham Palace Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, six places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Physique at 40-1 for the Britannia Stakes, paying 1/4 odds, four places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Lezoo at 9-1 for the Commonwealth Cup, paying 1/5th odds, four places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Chelsea Green at 12-1 for the Sandringham Stakes, paying 1/5 odds, eight places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2 points win Pyledriver at 15/2 for the Hardwicke Stakes. 1st but Rule 4 deduction of 30p in the £. + 9.9 points.
1 point each way Apollo One at 16-1 for the Wokingham Stakes, 1/5th odds, paying eight places. 2nd. + 2.2 points.
1 point each way Zoffee at 20-1 for the Northumberland Plate, paying ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 points each way Adjuvant at 13/2 for the Northumberland Plate, paying 1/5th odds, six places. 5th. + 0.3 points.
1 point each way Sprewell at 7-1 for the Irish Derby, paying 1/5 odds, three places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Ouzo for the Coral Challenge at 15/2, paying 1/5th odds, five places. 2nd. + 0.5 points.
1 point each way Onesmoothoperator for the Old Newton Cup at 11-1, paying 1/5th odds, six places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Sonny Liston at 20-1 for the John Smith’s Cup, paying ¼ odds, four places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Majestic 12-1 for the John Smith’s Cup, paying 1/5th odds, seven places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Streets of Gold at 8-1 for the Bunbury Cup, paying 1/5th odds, seven places. Unplaced – 2 points.
1 point each way Star of Orion at 12-1 for the Bunbury Cup, paying 1/5th odds, seven places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Fresh at 12-1 for the Moet & Chandon International Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, five places.
1 point each way Vafortino at 10-1 for the Moet & Chandon International Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, seven places.
1 point each way Pyledriver at 13/2 for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 1/5th odds, four places.
Pending bets:
1 point each way Revich at 33-1 for the Golden Mile, paying 1/5th odds, five places. Unpalced. – 2 points.
1 point each way The Gatekeeper at 18-1 for the Golden Mile, paying 1/5th odds, six places. 2nd. + 2.6 points.
1 point each way Euchen Glen at 22-1 for the Summer Handicap, paying 1/5 odds, five places. 3rd. Rule 4 deduction 10p in £. +3.1 points.
1 point each way Juan Les Pins at 16-1 for the Stewards’ Cup, paying ¼ odds, four places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Spanish Star at 16-1 for the Stewards’ Cup, paying 1/5 odds, eight places. 7th. + 2.2 points.
1 point each way Prydwen at 8-1 in the Shergar Cup Stayers, paying 1/5th odds, four places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Dark Jedi at 14-1 in the Shergar Cup Challenge, paying 1/5th odds, four places. 4th. + 1.8 points.
My gambling record for the seven and a half years: I have made a profit in 14 of the past 15 seasons to recommended bets. To a 1 point level stake over this period, the profit of has been just over 523 points. All bets are either 1 point each way or 2 points win (a ‘point’ is your chosen regular stake).
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