York Ebor Festival best bets: Horse racing tips from Sporting Life and Timeform team
THURSDAY
Cherry Blossom - 1.50 York (Bill Nash)
Not seen to best effect when beaten favourite in a listed race on debut (first home in group that came stand side), CHERRY BLOSSOM looked every inch a pattern-level performer in the making when routing a big field in a maiden at the Curragh last time. She had that race in the bag a long way out but was noticeably strong at the finish which is significant as two of her main dangers here, Relief Rally and Flora of Bermuda, are unproven at further than 5f. A big filly who is open to further improvement, Cherry Blossom can give Aidan O’Brien just his second win in the Lowther.
Persica – 2.25 York (David Ord)
Richard Hannon has won five of the last seven renewals of the Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes and PERSICA can continue that sizzling record. The son of New Bay left his debut form well behind when storming clear of his rivals to win at Salisbury last time. It was the performance of a smart and upwardly mobile colt and he looks one to follow.
Northern Express - 3.00 York (Simon Holt)
There can't be many more consistent horses in training than NORTHERN EXPRESS, and this York course specialist can continue a fine season with success in Thursday's Clipper Handicap on the Knavesmire.
Since winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup in May, the Michael Dods-trained five-year-old has run tremendously well in four more competitive handicaps, looking a shade unlucky when third to Croupier and Point Lynas over this course and distance (had to wait for room) in May before gaining a third win at York, over seven furlongs, in July when leading in the final strides.
In-between those two efforts, Northern Express finished third behind the much improved Witch Hunter and Croupier in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot (first home in his group) and, most recently, returned to Ascot to be beaten just a length into fourth behind Baradar in the International on King George day.
So, what a horse he is proving to be for connections. An 11lb rise in the ratings this season confirms that he is still making good progress and he can run off 2lb below his new mark here. Hitherto best over seven furlongs, Northern Express is getting a mile much better now and, in an obviously open race, he is the one horse who looks guaranteed to be right there at the finish.
Lincoln Legacy – 4.45 York (Matt Brocklebank)
Charlie Johnston’s filly LINCOLN LEGACY put a low-key run on soft ground at Goodwood firmly behind her when winning at Newmarket on Saturday and she looks the best bet on Thursday turned out quickly under the 6lb penalty in York’s 7f nursery. A switch to more patient tactics seemed to help on the July Course but I reckon it was all about the sounder racing surface and she should have perfect conditions in her follow-up bid from stall three this afternoon. Her full-sister Sent From Heaven won at Group 3 level and the Johnstons trained her half-sister Freyja who won a Listed race so she could still be some way ahead of her mark now everything has clicked.
Nigiri - 5.20 York (Lewis Tomlinson)
NIGIRI arrives in seek of the hat-trick in the concluding fillies’ handicap and I think Ralph Beckett’s progressive three-year-old will take plenty of stopping in her bid to maintain an unbeaten record in handicaps. Though not devoid of promise, she was clearly a filly still leaning on the job across her qualifying runs and duly put it all together to make a successful handicap debut over this trip at Haydock last month before defying a chunky rise in the weights to follow up in similarly impressive fashion over 1m there a couple of weeks ago. An expensive Lope de Vega yearling from a strong Juddmonte family on the damside, Nigiri is expected to prolong her upward curve, with a 5 lb rise for her most recent success looking more than manageable.
Candle Of Hope - 5.20 York (Andrew Mclaren)
CANDLE OF HOPE was a big eyecatcher in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot where she tanked through the race before her stamina was stretched over a mile, and that form has been working out well with the horses who finished around her winning good races since.
This trip of 7f could prove to be her optimum and she looks a big price in the finale with William Buick taking over in the saddle.
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