Five horses to follow at York on Friday

Tipster: Katie Midwinter.

Best odds: 16-1.

John and Thady Gosden-trained French Master finished fourth in the Goodwood Cup when last seen, well-beaten by winner Scandinavia, but he didn't get the most favourable of trips around and could fare better here.

In his penultimate start at Royal Ascot, he was beaten only a neck by Illinois in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, staying on well and proving his stamina credentials, therefore should be able to make his presence felt over this distance in calmer waters.

The five-year-old gelding beat Caballo De Mar in the Copper Horse Stakes last year when equipped with first-time blinkers, which replace cheekpieces in this contest. He performed well at Group Two level over a mile-and-a-half earlier this term, when beaten a length-and-three-quarters by Santorini Star at Newmarket, and could outrun his odds at the early 16-1 available.

Tipster: Alex Scott.

Best odds: 4-1.

Marco Polo showed significant promise on debut when second of 19 runners at the Curragh and, like many from the yard, can take a step forward from that on his second start.

A 525,000 guineas yearling, he is by the top-class Night Of Thunder and a full-brother to Saber Strike, who showed improved form in his second race. 

He is the sole Ballydoyle runner in this, and it must be significant that his powerful connections have pitched him into Group Two company less than two weeks after his first career start. He could be the class act here.

Tipster: RaceiQ nap of the day (Andy Stephens).

Best odds: 25-1 (advised at 40-1).

Starlust has a fine record at York and makes each-way appeal at chunky odds in the Nunthorpe.

He finished third in the 2024 renewal before going on to Breeders’ Cup glory and his latest close fourth here last month might have been even better had he not been 11th of 13 in the race to 20mph.

Perhaps that slow start was a consequence of the first-time visor he wore. It is discarded on this occasion.

Starlight wore blinkers on one occasion in June 2024. They were removed next time, when he won at York.

Tipster: Ross Millar.

Best odds: 9-4.

A race that should be watched with your Racing TV tracker open as year on year it throws up plenty of future winners.

It's wide open, but I'd side with Lancaster Tower. Many will think he was disappointing when only third as odds-on favourite at Sandown on his debut, but I saw plenty of positives.

He travelled supremely well through the race and, although he weakened into third late on, that did come as a result of a protracted duel with the winner who had the advantage of previous race experience and fitness. He'll prove a different proposition here and the flat track can also be seen as a positive.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 11-2.

Jack Callan has done well on this three-year-old this season for George Boughey, but the booking of Ryan Moore for the first time on any horse is always eye-catching, so I am hopeful he can end a frustrating run of placed efforts for the consistent filly. 

Lady Dora Mae has done well in handicaps, but two narrow defeats in Listed company really catch the eye, especially as they have both come on easy ground. 

The latest strong effort came over almost 12 furlongs, but she has run equally well over short of 10 furlongs, and this trip somewhere in between could prove to be ideal.