Lucky 15 tips: best bets from our experts for York on Friday

Tipster: Ross Millar.

AK Bets odds: 18-1.

The horse I like here is Invincible Annice for Karl Burke and Nick Bradley Racing. She was subject to some good reports prior to her debut at Pontefract and was well backed on that occasion. She was perhaps a bit disappointing in finishing second, but was not helped by running very green when under pressure, and she ran all over the track plus took a while to get the message. 

She did finish quite nicely in the closing strides, though, and did travel strongly through that race on soft ground. I think that performance, combined with her pedigree, suggests that a better surface might be more to her liking. 

That form has also received a boost as Francisco's Piece, who beat her at Pontefract, was second under a penalty at this track on Wednesday, and I think with the benefit of experience, Invincible Annice could be the one to be with here.

Tipster: Harry Allwood.

AK Bets odds: 100-30.

This four-year-old looked a potential Group horse in the making when bolting up in a strong 0-90 handicap at Hamilton on his final start last year and although he has a 10lb higher mark to contend with now, he should be capable of scoring again.

That form has worked out well, too, as the runner-up, Mr Professor, won the Lincoln on his return to action this year and Botanical's form in novice contests last year has also been boosted.

Give underfoot appears a necessity for the selection who won on soft and good to soft ground last season plus ran below par on his only start on good to firm, so with rain forecast ahead of Friday, conditions should be ideal for him.

The lack of a recent run is a slight concern, but Roger Varian has been in decent form over the past fortnight and I expect he'll be keen to see what Botanical is capable of in this slightly higher grade before he, hopefully, goes onto bigger and better things.

Varian also said his charge "should be a nice horse next year" following his Hamilton victory, and with just five starts under his belt, plenty of improvement can be expected this season.

Tipster: Harry Allwood.

AK Bets odds: 6-4.

Aidan O'Brien has always held Tower Of London in high regard and the four-year-old looks to be fulfilling his potential now based upon his two victories overseas this year.

The Galileo colt was a gradual improver before finishing fourth in last year's St Leger where he was clearly not the finished article, and has taken a big step forward by winning the Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh and the Dubai Gold Cup on his past two outings. 

He was given plenty to do on both occasions, and impressed with his finishing effort from off the pace plus was value for more than the winning margins suggest. The form of his Meydan win looks particularly strong and the drop back to 1m6f won't hinder him here as he has a potent blend of speed and stamina. 

Another career best will be needed, especially as he has a 3lb penalty to carry, but he's firmly on the upgrade, and Ryan Moore believes he's a "Group 1-winning stayer in waiting".

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

AK Bets odds: 10-1.

I have little doubt Another Investment has been readied to be in his best form for York's Dante Festival and I am hopeful that he can add to a very good afternoon for the Nigel Tinkler stable. 

It appears to me that the five-year-old has been bought to be campaigned largely at this track, looking at his record. He won his maiden as a two-year-old here and then struggled off very high handicap marks in 2023.

He should have won this race last season off a rating of 77 but got no sort of run and finished third, but did go on to win two starts later off a 2lb higher mark. His rating was raised to 90 after that which is too high for him, but he went to run very good races before getting bogged down in soft ground afterwards. 

He has since run well on Tapeta and has dropped down to a mark of 84, which he is well capable of running well off, and a glance at this season’s two runs look very much as though he has been primed for this contest.