Good afternoon folks
I have had a 10 hour journey back today and the first day is a lot of sprints. A reminder this is treated as a Festival by me so as I always say, I put aside a bank of 50 points but do so as you personally feel comfortable with. Two I like in the first are below. More to follow later.
1:50 York
DESERT COP –1/2 Pt EW @ 20/1 boost Lads/Hills 6 places, 18/1 6 generally
The son of Oasis Dream is well capable of winning a good handicap off a mark in the mid-90s as he proved at Newmarket earlier in the season and this unusual trip looks ideal for him. He was too keen over five furlongs in a first-time visor when last seen at the Shergar Cup meeting, but he was lit up by Night On Earth who was rushed up past him in the first furlong and Jo Mason had an impossible job trying to hold on to him.
In the circumstances he ran okay, but better is expected with Murphy back on board given a regulation tow into the race from his central draw.
He was bordering on Group class as a three-year-old and the talent is still there, he just needs a certain set of circumstances to unlock it – and plenty is in his favour here
BOLD OPTIMIST – 1/2 Pt EW @ 20/1 boost Lads/Hills 6 places, 18/1 6 generally
The four-year-old gelding has been responsible for a couple of those victories and was never better than when coming from off a strong pace to get up with something to spare over the minimum trip at the Curragh recently.
That represented a change in tactics as he’d typically been much closer to the pace in his earlier starts this term but he’s going to have to take a lead from the incredibly speed Democracy Dilemma, and equally sharp Looking For Lynda, this week.
There is pace more towards the other side too through Tees Spirit and We Never Stop but I’d be amazed if Democracy Dilemma, drawn in three, doesn’t lead them up and Bold Optimist should get a perfect tow as he’s drawn right next door in four.
Whether he’s quite quick enough to hold his own in this company remains to be seen but Silvestre De Sousa is going won’t give him much respite in the saddle and the manner in which he finished off at the Curragh smacked of an in-form sprinter with plenty more to offer.
He runs off just a 3lb higher mark here and looks underestimated in the betting.