Alan Thomson’s Tips: Nakeeta primed for explosive run in Ebor Handicap

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IT'S a busy day on the racing calendar with meetings at Goodwood, Chester, York, Newmarket, Cartmel, Redcar and Windsor. Thommo picks his way through the cards to brings us his best bets of the day.

York 3.35

NAKEETA (3.35) has been sparingly campaigned by Iain Jardine and will go to post with a live each-way chance in the Betfred Ebor Handicap at York.

The Scottish trainer hit the crossbar last year with runner-up Shrewd and 2016 Chester Cup runner-up Nakeeta will go close if reproducing his excellent second to Dal Harraild over course and distance at the Dante meeting. Callum Rodriguez is good value for his 5lb claim but will need to be on his mettle to overcome a wide draw.

Ante-post favourite Flymetothestars ran very well in the Northumberland Plate, taking third spot after being unable to utilise fully his long, raking stride when finding little racing room down the straight. This will be his first run on turf and is a must for any shortlist if given the go-ahead to run amid quickish ground concerns. Connections seem happy enough with his wide draw.

Last year’s ante-post favourite Ivan Grozny was forced to miss the race but turns up for the gig this time in a bid to give Willie Mullins his second Ebor scalp, with Jim Crowley donning the familiar Graham Wylie silks.

Last seen on the flat at the 2016 Galway Festival when scoring by 14 lengths, Ivan Grozny had an unfortunate return there over hurdles in July, being brought down at the first flight in the Galway Hurdle.

Mullins, who won this race in 2009 with Sesenta, has kept Ivan Grozny in good company over hurdles and the gelding boasts a fairly similar profile to his previous Ebor runner-up Wicklow Brave.

Scarlet Dragon, a winner over an extended 10 furlongs at this fixture last year, ran a cracker at Goodwood when filling the minor place behind the 113-rated Poet's Word and is worth considering along with Seamour, fifth last year, and fourth home Battersea, a good ground specialist arriving here a fresh horse.

It is a typically puzzling Ebor Handicap conundrum, so good luck with your selections.

York 2.25

I’ve failed to nail a big handicap winner at York but there’s still one more day to put that right. Drying ground boosts the chances of SECRET ADVISOR (2.25) in the Betfred Melrose Handicap run over the Ebor trip of 1m 6f.

The Godolphin gelding finished third to St Leger hope Stradivarius in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot before getting bogged down in the Goodwood mud when a disappointing favourite. Secret Advisor has had only five career starts and is open to a bit more improvement.

Jardine saddles TOR with an each-way chance judged on the gelding's improved effort when making all to score convincingly at Chester.

TOR is developing into a resolute staying handicapper, which is a bit of a surprise considering his sire, Orientor, was a very useful six-furlong sprinter for Jim Goldie.

He whipped the 87-rated Here And Now at Chester and third horse Zenon runs in a Listed race at Goodwood (3.55). Fifth horse Twenty Times, beaten 10 lengths by TOR, won at Ffos Las yesterday, so the form isn't shabby.

TOR would have preferred an easier surface but the 2014 and 2015 winners of this tough handicap, Vent De Force and Polarisation, both raced off TOR’s 85 rating and Jamie Gormley takes off 7lb. Both my selections can be bet five places ew with several firms.

York 4.40

A huge field goes to post for the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap and, again, I’ll be betting two in the race.

Goldie's NICHOLAS T (4.40) is stepped up two furlongs after running second at the recent Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot.

The ground was a bit softer than is ideal for Nicholas T and it should be better on the Knavesmire after another drying day. The son of 2006 Arc winner Rail Link may well improve again for this extra yardage and Nicholas T could be about to emerge as the new stable flagship following the death of Jack Dexter and the retirement of Hawkeyethenoo.

Dark Red caused havoc at Goodwood when swerving right across the track under pressure, almost playing skittles with a few of his rivals in the process.

Runner-up in this race last year, Dark Red meets Goodwood third Khairaat and fourth home UAE PRINCE on slightly worse terms.

There should be little between that trio once again but UAE Prince gets my vote on the strength on his previous course run when fourth in the John Smith's Cup.

Goodwood 3.55

At Goodwood, the Queen’s colt CALL TO MIND (3.55) should benefit from the step up to 1m 6f in the Revival March Stakes. His staying-on third to Defoe and Frankuus in the Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton could hardly have worked out any better. This is no pushover, however, with Count Octave, in particular, a dangerous rival.

Goodwood 2.10

Battle-hardened BILLESDON BROOK (2.10) can put her experience to good use in the Prestige Stakes, a Group 3 contest for fillies.

She only weakened close home up the stiff Sandown hill when third to stablemate Tajaanus in July and the winner came out to bag the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month. Billesdon Brook chased home Madeline here over 6f in May and we saw how well that filly ran behind Threading in Thursday’s Sky Bet Lowther Stakes.

Goodwood 4.30

Also at Goodwood, DR JULIUS NO (4.30) is trading at too big a price. He caught my attention at Musselburgh back in April when running third to Richard Fahey's Cullingworth in the Royal Mile Handicap. Cullingworth bounced back to form at Ripon the other day, striding clear to score by a very wide margin.

Dr Julius No has since left Ralph Beckett's yard and will be having his fifth start for Richard Hughes. He found 1m 2f on soft ground at Newmarket too onerous, fading into fourth behind Godolphin's Game Starter, and today's 1m 1f trip seems perfect. Dr Julius No has been ridden the last twice by apprentices and Shane Kelly takes over the reins. He should be supported ew in a competitive affair.

Chester 4.15

At Chester, KENSTONE (4.15) has a handy weight at the foot of the handicap, with Finley Marsh taking off 7lb. Stall three is a terrific draw and hopefully the Roodee won't have dried up too much as Kenstone enjoys some cut underfoot.

Redcar 4.50

At Redcar, BEAUDEN BARRETT (4.50) is worth an interest in the lady amateur riders' handicap.

John Quinn's four-year-old chased home Maulesden May at Ayr a fortnight ago, with Archipeligo held in fifth and worse off at today's weights. Emma Sayer, useful under both codes, takes the mount.

Recommended bets

• York 3.35– Nakeeta ew 14/1 McBookie
• York 2.25 – Secret Advisor ew 8/1 William Hill
• York 2.25 – TOR ew 20/1 Coral
• York 4.40 – UAE Prince 4/1 Betfred
• York 4.40 – Nicholas T ew 28/1 McBookie
• Goodwood 2.10 – Billesdon Brook 9/2 Skybet
• Goodwood 3.35 – Call To Mind 5/2 Coral
• Goodwood 4.30 – Dr Julius No ew 10/1 McBookie
• Chester 4.15 – Kenstone 8/1 Coral
• Redcar 4.50 – Beauden Barrett 8/1 Paddy Power

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