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York Yorkshire Cup Friday 18th May

Ecstatic is the word to describe Bonfires performance today, he has now serious claims to land this years derby and I certainly will be backing this progressive thoroughbred. I'm also impressed by IZZI Top who also ran a blinder illustrating just how good this filly will be this year.

On with the card...

York

1.30pm Fillies Stakes 5f

Gary Foster, a trainer on the up and has his yard in good form consistently getting his horses in the first three so LOTHIAN COUNTESS has a cracking each way squeak here. I particularly like the fact that this chestnut filly sprang a shock 66/1 win in his inaugural race. That form is relatively strong as that win is boosted and franked by All Fur Coat who finished second to my selection but who won a very competetive race at Chester last week. I'm expecting this filly to improve from her last run. LOTHIAN COUNTESS has an outstanding chance at a very tasty 20/1 currently.

2.00pm Jorvik Handicap 1m 4f

You may find a pattern develop over this season and that's my affinity to back John Gosden and William Buick. This partnership is currently red hot and certainly looks to stay that way all season. CAUCAS is less exposed here, lightly raced so far and is certainly on the upgrade. A big positive is the stables form, the astute, intelligent, articulate John Gosden plays such an important role in a flat season I'm sure we'll treasure. CAUSAS has the right profile because he's progressing in the right direction to land this prize.

2.30pm Yorkshire Cup 1m 6f

John Dunlop has some very nice horses to look forward to this season and has one of my favourite filly's ever the talented and beautiful Snow Fairy can't wait to see her return in the second half of this season. TIMES UP is my selection, this six year old was so progressive last season and has course and distance form winning a competitive handicap this time last year. He won the Fenwolf Stakes at Newmarket over the two mile trip so he'll stay all day and certainly will have the stamina. Eddie Ahern as a very good partnership with my selection and the quicker ground will also play into his strengths.


4.10pm Sportingbet Handicap 1m 2f 88y

Skipped to his handicap because I'm looking for a little value, maybe even a big price winner. So here goes, PENDRAGON trained by the excellent dual trainer Brian Ellison. This horse is only 2lb worse off from his last victory back in 2010 and is actually 4lbs better off on my favourite piece of form when running an excellent 4th to Highland Knight at Sandown last July over the mile. PENDRAGON will enjoy the ground and recapturing his 2010 season form over this trip is definitely not out of the question. A speculative selection but it may pay dividends at a nice each way price.

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