York Horse Racing Tips

The consistent PERSICA looks the solid option here. He gained a deserved first win of the season in the Steventon last time and his Group victories last year both came over this 9f trip which is ideal. Though he handles fast ground he's at his best on soft so the recent rain has been in his favour and can help him see of the unexposed Hankelow. That Autumn Stakes winner ran well in the French Guineas on his return before failing to stay 10f in the French Derby last time. Dropped back in distance he can resume his progress for a local yard and fill the places with 9f specialist Damysus who hasn't been at his best this year. He did travel well here last time before failing to stay 10f and the cheekpieces may sharpen up his finishing effort. Expanded has finished off his last couple of races well from poor positions and is a likely improver now upped in trip. He is also respected for powerful connections.

Infraad has looked ill-suited to the sharp tracks he had encountered on his last couple of starts and paid the price when defeated at Chester. He showed a willing attitude to make amends at Goodwood next time and should improve again for this galloping track combined with a longer distance. A 7lb rise looks manageable and he deserves his place at the top of the market. However there are a number of potentially well handicapped rivals here including WHO'S LOPE who brings in some C&D form having been defeated by My Ballyquinn here last time. However he did plenty early that day setting it up his re-opposing rival who has improved again and he could reverse the form on these revised terms. He looks on a dangerous mark based on his novice wins and it's notable that his yard has kept him off the sun has baked the tracks this summer. His breeding suggests he will enjoy this slightly softer surface and he can continue his yard's fine record in this race and at this meeting. Limestone lacked the pace in a strong Grand Prix De Paris last time but his Queen's Vase win has been franked and he will appreciate the step up in trip. He has the potential to outclass the line up off top weight and is greatly feared.

NOTABLE SPEECH can throw in the odd poor run but on his day he is one of the top milers in the world. The 5 time Group 1 winner should get a strong pace to aim at dropping in trip here and can stamp his class on the field. He failed to get home in a strongly run mile last time behind Ten Bob Tony again demonstrating his aversion to Ascot but the bend will help him reverse that form. His re-opposing rival did back up that Queen Anne Victory behind a superstar in the Sussex Stakes so is respected in opposition particularly as the recent rain will be no issue. It may prove a problem for Lennox winner Lake Forest who was unlucky in this race last year. He holds strong claims on form but has struggled with cut in the ground in the past. Zavateri was a Group 1 winner at 2 and returned from a huge lay off with a big effort at Goodwood matching his best form. He's entitled to come on for that run and with the drop in trip no issue he should also be on the premises.

There a number who have been lined up for this including Tarriance who returns to the scene of his Melrose win last year. He caught the eye at Goodwood last time where he travelled powerfully until his fitness gave out. He was looked after that day and he looks on a fair mark judged on his best Group form including when not beaten far in the Leger. That proved he handles a softer surface so he is entitled to be thereabouts whatever the conditions. However Joseph O'Brien has plundered numerous big handicaps at the summer festivals and could achieve further success with EMIT. He's another who looks on a workable mark judged on his Listed/Group form and he caught the eye behind Opportunity at Royal Ascot last time. He was ridden overly negatively that day where he appeared unsuited by the drop to 2m but still managed to finished ahead of subsequent Glorious Goodwood winner Hopewell Rock. He's been kept fresh since to preserve his mark and will be tough to beat stepped back up to his optimum distance. Willie Mullins took this last year and holds a strong hand again with unexposed pair Love Me Tender and Mr Hollywood. Both have shown strong form at higher levels in other countries which make them look well handicapped but preference is for the latter whose emphatic hurdles win at Galway has been boosted.

A tight race but EVENING SAIGON can back up his Stewards' Cup win from a favourable low draw. He showed a willing attitude at Goodwood and a 4lb rise looks lenient with the softer surface no issue. The rapidly progressing Red Spells Danger beat a well handicapped rival in the Shergar Cup last time so has to be respected off 6lb higher though he does need to prove he handles softer ground. He's closely matched with Air Force One and Stratusnine on his previous run here and that pair ran well here earlier in the week along with Toca Madera so they are all feared. It is Wednesday's winner who may prove the biggest danger of the trio as he has once again landed a plum low draw. Flash Harry ran better than the finishing figures suggest behind the selection at Goodwood from a poor track position having missed the break. If he handles the softer ground he could run well at a bigger price along with veteran Annaf who often blows his chances at the gate but will be running on late.

ADONIUS can stamp his class on this contest. Although he lost his unbeaten record at Glorious Goodwood last time he was only beaten by a rival who contests the Nunthorpe this week and he arguably travelled best into the race that day. He can confirm Chester superiority over subsequent Woodcote winner Hickory Lad who could be suited by this drop back in distance. Impressive nursery winner Dance A Jig represents powerful connections and may prove the biggest threat stepping up in class while at a bigger price Dorigo is of some interest for a local yard. He remains a maiden but ran a big race on the wrong side in the Windsor Castle and threw a good race away at Goodwood last time veering when clear in front.

AL AALI can complete the hat trick. Though he's gone up another 5lb for his Glorious Goodwood victory it was decisive and he remains well treated on his old French form which also suggests this easier ground won't be an issue. The unexposed Raammee landed the John Smith's Cup over C&D last time and despite it being a messy race in behind he looks fairly treated up 8lb with the promise of more to come over 10f. He can pose the main challenge while course specialists Have Secret and Dark Moon Rising could fill the places at bigger prices. The former has run well in the last couple of renewals of this on ground quicker than ideal while the latter snapped his losing streak over C&D last time and remains on a workable mark.