Horse racing tips: York and Sandown picks from Dave Nevison

Our resident website tipster Dave Nevison thinks three can go close at Sandown Park and York on Friday. Enjoy further action from more top tracks in Goodwood, Aintree, Fairyhouse and one of the big Flat cards of the year at Cork live on Racing TV and Racing TV Extra.

1.50 York: Westernesse

Westernesse broke a continuous run of paced efforts last time when winning at Pontefract on just his third run for David O’Meara and could have further improvement for the yard.

Those placed behind him have won since, so the form looks pretty strong for the grade, and it will be a real surprise if he doesn’t run well here.

Mark Winn is an apprentice who is red hot at the moment and has ridden 5 winners from 20 rides(for 4 different trainers) up to the start of racing on Thursday. He is claiming 3lbs against other apprentices in this race which looks a steal.

Westernesse under Winn looks the day’s best bet.

2.05 Sandown: Whats in The Bag

Roger Teal is excellent at bringing a late-developing sprinter to peak and the trainer looks to have another who could end up being pretty useful.

Whats In The Bag was gelded after just two runs early last year which didn’t have an immediate effect but, when the hood was applied, he bolted up at Windsor by 5 ½ lengths on his fourth start at this time last year – his final run of a short season.

He reappeared with a good effort at the same track at the end of last month and looks ready to progress again here. Teal had a winner at Kempton on Wednesday so there is nothing wrong with the stable form and Neil Callan has been on board for the four-year-old’s improved efforts.

3.15 Sandown: Paradias

He has plenty more seconds to his name than wins and that is something of a concern, but he often finds himself pulling hard and not settling in slowly-run races. I am pretty sure this handicap is set to be run at a very strong pace which will make Hollie Doyle’s job a lot easier.

Paradias signalled he had returned in good form when he reappeared at Windsor last time, coming through late to be second after once again being keen early, and an outside draw is no disadvantage over this trip at Sandown – indeed, the opposite in general.