Sky Bet Sunday Series: Free tips for racing at York

Ben Sanderson took one step towards the prize for the most successful apprentice in the Sky Bet Sunday Series when winning at Hamilton and, though he doesn’t have a ride here, that form-line looks key.

The well-handicapped HOWZER BLACK finished ahead of Happy that day and is fancied to successfully make all under Andrew Breslin. The fine dual-purpose performer Kihavah impressed when winning over C&D 11 days ago and is considered a bigger threat than either of the aforementioned Happy, who may not find this enough of a stamina test, and fellow Beverley specialist Casilli.

Pierre-Louis Jamin clearly gets on well with Topanticipation but the duo have more on their plate than when winning at Leicester just six days ago, and a bigger danger could be the less exposed White Willow who is only 4lb higher than for her recent Thirsk success.

Professor Pesca shaped with promise when fourth on debut at Beverley, especially as two of those who finished ahead of him had the benefit of experience, while the fellow locally-trained Minnesota Lad got the hang of things late on when third at the same venue earlier this month.

The confident vote, however, goes to Railway Stakes entry WALBANK. A costly purchase (525,000 guineas), his dam was a precocious two-year-old, including winning on debut, and Walbank almost emulated her when second to the hot favourite Noble Style at Ascot earlier this month.

Beautiful Sunrise completes the field. He didn’t look the easiest of rides when a distant second behind the promising Miami Girl (disappointed since, albeit with excuses) on debut, but is entitled to have learned plenty from that experience.

BELUGA GOLD only found one too good in the first leg of this three-year-old sprint series, and is fancied to gain compensation here despite top-weight. John Quinn’s charge is a speedy sort who should find himself very much at home over this quick C&D, and he can give jockey Jason Hart a leg-up towards the £100,000 prize to the first jockey who is able to ride seven winners in the Sky Bet Sunday Series.

Maybe Even Never belied odds of 40/1 when second (one place ahead of Showtime Mahomes; Mattice much further back) over five furlongs here on his reappearance and should relish the step back up in trip, while Al Ameen looked the sort to relish a breakneck gallop when third at Ascot last time out – he should get that here. The Dunkirk Lads and Bay Breeze both have their own claims, but the pick of the Tim Easterby battalion appears to be the hat-trick-seeking Gnat Alley who still looks fairly treated.

This is a much less-daunting task than the Victoria Cup in which he was well-held last time, so Gioia Cieca could run well despite top-weight, but preference is for EMPIRESTATEOFMIND.

Trained by John Quinn, who has already notched in the race to the £25,000 prize for the first trainer to train seven winners in the Sky Bet Sunday Series, Empirestateofmind ran better than his finishing position in Thirsk’s Hunt Cup might suggest and he still looks a young horse to follow.

Redcar specialist Give It Some Teddy and his stablemate Garden Oasis have more miles on the clock, but fair handicap marks to boot, however a bigger threat could be On A Session whose consistency was nearly rewarded when second to Redarna in the Thirsk Hunt Cup.

Eilean Dubh holds Mostawaa, Harswell Duke and A Boy Named Ivy on his win at Hamilton in the first leg of this mile series and his upwardly-mobile profile since joining Karl Burke from France suggests he might improve enough again to confirm that form despite a 5lb higher perch.

A spring wind operation appeared to have a positive effect when ABERAMA GOLD finished a close-up fifth to Dakota Gold over C&D 11 days ago and Keith Dalgleish’s charge is fancied to improve past that rival (as well as Pendleton and Asadjumeirah who were third and fourth, respectively, that day).

That was remarkably Dakota Gold’s 14th win, six of which have come on the Knavesmire, so he can’t be easily discounted despite a 4lb rise in the weights.

Ava Go Joe failed to feature when chasing a hat-trick in the first leg of this series, but is not one to give up on just yet, for all his best form has come on more testing tracks, while the return to a less demanding final furlong may well suit Hyperfocus who went so close at Hamilton last time.

Gulliver has won first time out after a break previously so could run well at a bigger price, however more obvious dangers appear to be the unexposed Adaay To Remember and recent Ascot winner Mister Bluebird (who was always prominent in a field-size of 19, tactics which should see him go well here).

There’s a slight suspicion that this track may not suit Haizoom – winner of the first leg of this stayers’ series – as well as Hamilton did, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see the third Emaraty Hero turn the tables.

However, this could boil down to the battle of the hat-trick-seekers, with EVALUATION narrowly preferred to Super Superjack. Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Evaluation has improved with each start since stepping up to two miles and he still looked to have plenty more to give when pushed out to win at Ripon last time out. Similar sentiments apply to Super Superjack, though, and the pair of them look the two to beat.

For those looking for one at a bigger price, Indianapolis should appreciate the return to a more conventional track having failed to fire at Chester last time; he has been placed over C&D before and is dangerously well handicapped on old form. His trainer and jockey also teamed up for a Sky Bet Sunday Series victory at Hamilton, too, it should be noted.

The step back up in trip should suit Zim Baby but she doesn’t look the easiest to win with, a comment that doesn’t apply to the straightforward ESPRESSOO who gets the nod. She has improved since stepping up to this trip and did well to overcome some trouble in running when beating Midheaven (who re-opposes here) at Chelmsford last time; a hat-trick is on the cards.

Heredia travels north in search of her own hat-trick and is much respected. She only beat three rivals at Newbury when last seen but the third, Fast Attack, won a Group 3 on her next start, so a mark of 91 may be well within reach.

Tim Easterby went close to winning the first leg of this fillies’ series, so Soller Bay is respected now back at the scene of her only win, while the returning International Girl wasn’t beaten that far when fifth behind that rival back in September but has something to prove over this new trip (dam did win over further, though).

Random Harvest was well backed when second at Haydock last month and looks a bigger threat than Divine Magic, for all Ed Walker’s filly may need some rain (best form on soft). Celtic Empress has more on her plate than when winning over a mile at Newmarket last weekend.