Sandown, York and Market Rasen

Both Sandown and York have big race days tomorrow, but today´s cards are very modest by the standards of these tracks. Main event at York is the 2 mile handicap at 16.25 CET, whch is very tricky, especially as some of the leading candidates have never yet raced over this distance, for example Sirgarfieldsobers (Brian Rothwell/ Paul Pickard) and The Last Alzao (Richard Fahy/ Paul Hanagan). If they get the trip, both look very dangerous, but we prefer the proven stamina of Bollin Felix (Tim Easterby/ David Allan). Ex-German Backbord (Lucy Wadham/ Alan Munro) is well handicapped but hard to fancy, not having run for a year and not run on the flat for 2 years. Easterby and Allan have a chance of doubling up in the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.35 with Favourite Girl, but this is another very open race and we like the chances of last year´s winner Equuleus Pictor (Jon Spearing/ Jack Dean). Curiously enough, although almost all the14 runners are distance specialists, he is the only CD winner in the field and is back below his 2009 winning mark.

Most of the top jockeys will be at Sandown (and moving on to Goodwood´s evening fixture). Frnkie Dettori could be in for profitbe afternoon. He rides top-weight Special Quality for Robert Cowell in the opening 5 furlongs handicap at 15,40, and he has a decent chance after his easy win last time at Southwell; sprint specialist Henry Candy saddles the main danger in Final Turn (Dane O´Neill). He can also take the 3yo handicap over 10 furlongs at 17.55 on Mark Johnston´s Cloudy City, who has not troubled the judge in his 4 starts so far but meets fairly poor opposition here. He partners Newmarket winner Ellemujie for Ken Ivory in the 10 furlongs handicap for older horses at 17.25 but this is a really tough race; Jo´Burg (Lady Herries/ Martin Lane) put up an amazing performance to win over this CD last time, despite missing the break and although now worse off at the weights he can score again. Godolphin´s Ecliptic is our best bet of the day here in the 2yo maiden over 7 furlong s at 16.15, but he will be partnered by Ahmed Ajtebi. He made an excellent debut at Newmarket and although there are several well-bred debutants in the field, it will take a smart one to beat him.

Market Rasen has just about the best summer jumping in the U.K. but today´s card is also below average. Any rain (which is forecast) would help the chances of German-bred Sadlers Star (Michael Blake/ Timmy Murphy) in the opening novice hurdle at 15.00 and we also expect Saltagioo (Milton Harris/ Jimmy Derham) to follow up his easy Newton Abbot victory in better company at 16.35.