John Smith´s Cup at York

the most valuable race in the U.K. today, and the big betting event, is the John Smith´s Cup at York at 16.05 CET, a 10 furlongs handicap with 150,000 GBP in prize-money. With 20 runners this is extremely difficult. Richrd Fahey s always trhe rainer to follow here, epeilly at th bug meetings, and he saddls 5 runners. The well-drawn Demolition is the choice of stbl jocky Paul Hanagan and goes automtically on the short list. He was runner-up last time over 1 1/2 miles, as was Sir Michael Stoute´ s Imposing (Ryan Moore), a very reliable performer who had earlier won over this CD and will probably start favourite. In large fields over this distance a low draw is regarded as a huge advantage, end we can probably rule out Indian Days, Desert Kiss, and Albaqaa, all drawn out wide. Forte dei Marmi (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon), winner of the Zetland Gold Cup last time, and the only 3yo in the field Wigmore Hall (Michael Bell/ Martin Lane) also make the short list. Normally we don´t li ke backing 3yo´s against older horses at this stage of the season, but Wigmore Hall is very consistent, loves firm ground and ran really well in a big field last time at Royal Ascot, so we make him the selection.
Main supporting feature at York is the listed handícap over 1 3/4 miles at 16.40. 4 of the 7 runners met last time in the Northumberland Plate, with runner-up Drunken Sailor (Cumani/ Fallon) easily the best performer there. However we would not be surprised to see Chiberta King (Andrew Balding/ Phillip Makin) and Deauville Flyer (Tim Easterby/ Robert Winston finish much closer over this slightly shorter trip; however our main hope is Free Agent (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Moore), who has not won since his 2yo days but is very consistent and hails from a stable that can do no wrong at present.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Harlech Castle - Tiddliwinks - Cornus
2. Race: Day Of The Eagle - Mac`S Power - Capponi
3. Race: Imposing - Forte Dei Marmi - Wigmore Hall
4. Race: Drunken Sailor - Deauville Flyer - Free Agent
5. Race: Jaahiz - Nicola`S Dream - Set Me Free
6. Race: Dubai Media - Christmas Light - Lady Berta
7. Race: Bachelor Knight - Lady Royale - Orchid Street