Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Class 2) (1.45) - With plenty of front runners in attendance, we know they’ll go fast and whatever wins will have to stay well. With that in mind, MONTREPASSE (each/way) has ideal credentials seeing as he’s won over the trip, will be suited by a strong pace as he’s held up in his races (should settle better) and he’s got a capable claimer on to negate a 7lbs rise, which he should be progressive enough to handle. Zuider Zee is unexposed but is 7lbs higher then when flopping behind Harris Tweed and a big handicap and this is the same test he faces today. Berling is on a serious mark if recapturing his best for but the trip is a worry. Moose Moran and Desert Sage shouldn’t be so big in the market, as the former will like the drop back in trip for an in form yard, and the latter wasn’t disgraced when seventh in the Irish Oaks last time, although she has to prove her stamina. Bay Willow hasn’t given a big sign of being able to stay 1m6f so is reluctantly passed over, also due to the fact that he’s a lot higher than when a good third to Dandino at Royal Ascot, along with the progressive Trovare, whose yard remains in good form. As always, I like to have cover in these races, so I’ll have a second e/w. GREEN LIGHTENING (each/way) might suffer for acing up with what’s likely to be a strong pace but he was kindly treated last time, has had a relatively easy rise in the weight and has a lot of room for improvement based on the fact that he carried his head high but was still able to beat Harris Tweed (albeit a steadily improving one) by a pretty convincing margin.
Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Listed) (2.50) - Not the greatest listed race, but a special mention given to Mr David who must be watched on the exchanges and in the ring as his Mill Reef fourth gives him the edge on his rivals and his yard are in form. A 5lbs penalty will make life difficult for RED JAZZ (each/way) but he wasn't beaten too far when eighth in Group 2 company at Glorious Goodwood and had previously got to within a length of winning Group 3 races at Ascot and Newmarket, and they were decent affairs too. A bold bid is expected from Yaa Wayl and Castles In The Air, while the presence of Fallon on Place Moon (who should be competitive on his best handicap form) gives him a good shout. Next best for me in a trappy race however, is SKYSURFERS (each/way) on the basis that he was a smart performer on the AW in Dubai earlier this year and will go close if replicating that form here, with his yard in much better form.
Racing Post Convivial Maiden Stakes (4.05) - Strong market support and a short opening price of 7/4 indicate support for Terdaad, Edmaaj was unlucky not to win his maiden first time out, Group 2 entries indicate much better is expected of Star Of Dance, but EL MQUBIL (win) may have achieved most when a very kindly handled fourth to Group race prospect Native Khan and with that under his belt, can go well here.
A rather unattractive affair. DEAUVILLE FLYER (win) boasts the best form and is still progressing based on his fifth in the Northumberland Plate (hampered after 1 & 2f) and his third behind Free Agent (since gone onto better company) in a Listed handicap last time.
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