Martin Dixon's Saturday tips: four best bets for York

No prizes for originality siding with a very well-bred, William Haggas-trained three-year-old here, but I think Archivist is so well handicapped that I must be with him, even at relatively short odds. A son of Dubawi, it took time for him to open his account, but he did in great style at Leicester last time, clearing right away inside the final furlong. That was only his second start for Haggas, so I'd anticipate plenty of ongoing improvement. 

Most of his rivals in this are older, exposed handicappers with not much in hand of their marks, and from a good draw in stall two, I'm hoping this will be a straightforward win for Archivist en route to much bigger and better things. 

I have been really taken by Paborus from an early stage having seen him win stylishly at Redcar and Carlisle in novice company last year. He's comfortably coped with every step up in class taken so far, always impressing with how strongly he travels, and readily quickened away from some smart, experienced rivals at Thirsk when last seen in April. 

His only defeat in the past year came when he was too keen over a mile at this track, and this 7f trip is perfect for him. He ought to get a strong pace to sit in behind the likes of Lethal Levi and Quinault, which will suit. 

I tipped Heathen in this column two weeks ago, and he rewarded each-way support, but hopefully this race sees him to even better effect as he's back over his optimum trip, and back under professional handling with Daniel Tudhope on board. 

Serena Brotherton rode him well in the Queen Mother’s Cup last time and just felt he didn't have the finishing speed to go with the principals. His recent record would back up that view given his wins, and top performances this year, have been over further than 1m4f. 

There are a couple of unexposed rivals in opposition, but I still believe that Heathen's significantly lower turf mark is lenient and can be capitalised on as he's 12lb lower than when fourth in a strong all-weather handicap in April. 

I've had my eyes on Mythical Composer since he shaped well when third over this C&D in September and, now 3lb lower, I'm hoping he's ready to strike. It has been a quiet year so far by Clive Cox's usual standards (only 13 winners in 2025 at a 9 per cent strike-rate) but the signs have been much better recently, with three winners in June supplemented by several excellent runs in defeat, including by the likes of Kerdos, Fearnot and Redorange at Royal Ascot. 

I'm never put off by a low draw on this sprint course and with Danny Tudhope a positive jockey booking, he ought to be there or thereabouts in a competitive race.