York Saturday Preview - 24/07/21

The first event at York on Saturday sees the Jump Jockeys Nunthorpe Handicap over five furlongs and this quirky event really is a nightmare for punters.

However, at an each way price for David O'Meara and Tom Scudamore, Soul Seeker looks to be a big player off the back of his last three runs.

Although being ran frequently the four year old has been electric of late, finishing a close second at Ayr three starts ago and then backing that up at Chester with another runners up run.

He boosted that form last time out at Hamilton when finally getting his neck in front and staying on this upward curve should put him in the mix again off 3lb higher.

Another tricky event for punters is the Sky Bet Dash over six furlongs and with a big field set to go to post we have picked out two selections at each way prices.

The first horse that take the eye is the Tim Easterby trained Golden Apollo who has ran credibly in the last two renewals of this race finishing second last year and a close fourth the season before.

Alongside that he heads into the event in fine form finishing a good third two starts ago at Thirsk over 6f and then last time out he was a closer second at Pontefract, just being bobbed on the line.

He only runs off 2lb higher than his last event and that leaves him on the same mark as his last win.

Big each way player who handles both quick and soft ground.

At a bigger price is the Clive Cox trained Streamline who is a lovely horse when on song and it is all about finding a going day for him.

The four year old has not been seen all that often, winning seven starts ago over six furlongs at Kempton in the Group Three Sirenia Stakes back in 2019.

Since then the gelding has performed six times this year having been off the track for sometime and early on during the year he slightly lost his way.

He got back on track at Wolves in March in a very decent Class 2 event where he managed to see off the smart Summerghand.

He had one run after that at Kempton where he struggled again but after a small break he was last seen finishing a much better fourth of 14 at Newcastle and that should have put him bang on for this event.

Returns to turf off only 2lb higher than his last winning mark.

The feature race of the day at York on Saturday is the Group Two York Stakes over 1m2f and we can't look past the superstar Mohaafeth for William Haggas.

The son of Frankel has been seen four times this season and has landed a hat-trick of wins having got off the mark for his career at Lingfield in March in a Novice Stakes and he then backed that up in a handicap at Newmarket over 1m2f.

One of his best performances of the season came when landing the Listed Newmarket Stakes over 1m2f, seeing off the smart Secret Protector by an easy five lengths, never really having to come off the bridle.

He was third favourite for the Derby, but his handler did warn that if everything wasn't right for him he would not run and that was the case.

The three year old was instead switched into the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot and he ran out a superb winner.

It has been gradual progress from the exciting colt and now going up in grade again he should take it in his stride, having his ideal conditions.

On a five timer.

Next up we see the Novice Stakes over six furlongs at York and the Philip Makin Perfect Glory looks to be a horse who can get off the mark at the third time of asking.

The two year old made his career debut at Ayr in June, showing plenty of ability but had to settle for fourth of six, not to far behind the winner.

Last time out he was a much closer third in a bigger field over the same course and distance, with the second since going on to win a decent event.

He can also frank the form line this weekend with this event only showing a small field and if progressing once more he has to go close.

The two mile staying Handicap sees some familiar faces head to post but the one we are siding with is the Ghadbbaan for Brian Ellison.

The five year old has been a consistent performer between todays trip and 12f this season, winning at Thirsk in may over 14f and since then knocking on the door in similar events off a mark of 65.

Last time out over course and distance he was a close second in the John Smith's Stayers Handicap and only 2lb higher today he should be in the mix again.

The penultimate event of the afternoon sees the Class 4 Handicap over 1m 3 1/2f and C'Mon Kenny for Ian Williams looks to be a horse going in the right direction.

The five year old is extremely lightly raced for his ages, being seen six times in total, twice in bumpers at the start of this season when looking very smart, but now has switched codes to the flat.

Having struggled slightly at lesser trips, Williams last time out sent him into Handicap company over 10f and he went on to get off the mark at Sandown.

He has been turned around quickly for this event only running three days ago, but with that he does not carry a penalty for that win and can exploit his mark of 69 once more.

On the upgrade.

The final selection of the afternoon on the Knavesmire is the Ed Walker trained Beloved who looks to be big value in the field at 7/1.

The three year old filly is a beautifully bred daughter of Frankel and cost a hefty 350,000gns as a yearling being related to eight winners.

Although she is yet to get off the mark in her three starts on track so far, she has shown signs that there is a smart horse in there, both as a juvenile and on her sole start this term.

On her seasonal return this term she was seen finishing a decent fourth of eight at Haydock on quick ground, with the three ahead of her turning out to be decent horses.

She is still learning on the job and if coming on for that first run looks a big player coming back a furlong.