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York - Saturday 16th June (handicap day I like to call it!)

Been a couple of weeks since the spectacular Oaks and Derby weekend and I have to admit Camelot looks the real deal without question, however I disagree with many who say the St Ledger/Triple Crown route is the obvious path, the Prix de Arc de Triomphe is the real test for this three your old colt to prove his worth. The fact is his prize at stud would be far more lucrative and a 1m 6f race against your moderate horses is the wrong race if you ask me.

On with the card...

2.05 Queen Mothers Cup (lady amateur riders) 1m 4f

The York card today looks a very interesting each way paradise. The opportunities are out there to pick some nice each way potentials. Handicaps form part of my love for horseracing I am a huge fan! I particularly like big fields, yes it's risky, yes which side has better ground, yes the start is crucial, yes the jockey got the horse in trouble but that's the risk you take for having a nice bit of value. HANOVARIAN BARON is one of those dark horses (excuse the pun) that really could land this at a good each way price. This horse trained by Tony Newcombe has a good record in big handicaps and has some good form at York. The horse won a similar race at York in 2010 and had a very consistent season that year. It looks like he had a few niggles last year and was indeed lightly raced. In his last start it was easy to see that he needed the run. This horse will go on any ground and if fit and well could quite easily take this as he has previously had a rating of 91 which on his current mark looks like he's been amongst better company than these. I'm also tipping EAGLE ROCK this dual trained horse is very consistent and looks the pick on form. His recent 3rd looked very promising when finishing strongly in the finish, that run would of pushed this High Chaparal gelding on and a big run is on the cards. The trainer Tom Tate did very well at this meeting last year and I'm certain he'll come close again today. I also think this horse is a scopey type and is lightly raced.

2.35 Ladbrokes Handicap 1m

Thirteen go to post here in a trappy yet intriguing contest. DUBAI DYNAMO is currently in great form. This Kyllachy gelding won readily at Ripon in May running out a game winner on that day. The trainer Ruth Carr is flying at the moment and looks like she may have another winner on the cards here. This horse has been nothing but consistent is off a relatively high mark but the same can be said about a few of these. Withthe ground being soft and probably on the heavy side then DUBAI DYNAMO will be one who's staying on in the finish.

Sandown 2.50 Bonus King Handicap 1m

This will be a quick run affair and the ability to stay on in the finish up the Esher track hill is a must. STAGE ATTRACTION to me looks the least exposed and a horse who looks like progress is still being made in this 4 year olds career. This Royal Applause gelding was doing his best work inside the final furlong last time out and looks like the soft ground won't be too much of a hindrance. He also has course and distance firm at the track which is a massive positive and the booking of Ryan Moore suggest they mean business today.

3.10 Bond Trophy Handicap 6f

Another tricky handicap with a big field. The ground is a concern so stamina is paramount some of these have ran over further than the 6f trip and that may give them the edge over some of the out an out sprinters who like a sounder surface. I'm looking at Richard Fahey trained LILY'S ANGEL Laura Barry claims a valuable 7lbs off this Dark Angel filly and looks like she'll enjoy the ground, a filly who has ran against classier animals and who ran a valiant 7th on soft ground in this years 1000 guineas and a horse who is overpriced in my opinion. I'm also interested in GABRIEL'S LAD who is a really interesting runner. The horse is potentially the best treated at the weights and is a bit of an unknown just how much progress he will make. Booking Kieran Fallon to ride him looks like the trainer thinks a lot of this horse so I'm looking in his direction to land a blow. A repeat of his last run at Kempton will see this horse right up there.

3.25 Sandown Scurry Stakes 5f 6y

I have to preview this race as PEARL SECRET is shear class and will be running in the highest calibre of racing both in listed and group company this season, I have no doubt about that. I hassen to add as Mike Cattermole mentioned on the morning line that this is the best horse without question who won't be going to Royal Ascot which is a big disappointment. PEARL SECRET will win this with lengths in hand and David Barron who is such an astute trainer will have his own reasons for that but I'm sure we'll be seeing him in classy races both at home and abroad in the near future.

3.45 Listed Stakes Race 1m

TULLIUS is progressing into a very smart miler, he has the ground to suit him today and the right profile to progress even more. TULLIUS is trained by Andrew Balding a trainer I admire he has had the stable in terrific form for months now and with Jimmy Fortune on board this is a strong team to win his prize. TULLIUS has the cut in the ground that he seems to enjoy far more than the others. The only concern would be the weight he's carrying but I still think more progress is to be made here.

Finally, what a season so far. FRANKEL and BLACK CAVIAR still to come it just seems to get better! I love this game the Sport of Kings it's just incredible.

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