Racing tips: The consistent Blue For You holds every chance in the Clipper Logistics Handicap

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Day 1 of the Ebor Festival was a good showing. The selections weren't the best, but we got to see the best horse on the planet put into a masterful performance. Baaeed is some horse, and the 4/9 which was available was great value, it's a shame I don't have the money to make it worth lumping on or have the bottle to do so, but he is a proper animal. The only way he ever loses is if Jim Crowley positions him wrong, by getting him blocked in or something like that. 

The selections yesterday were mixed. Makanah placed after being supported into favourite. I think the ride he was given was very soft as Hanagan never really looked to actually get proper into him and throw the kitchen sink. Aikhal was very poor, but I think he didn't like the track. I listen to the Racing Post ‘In The Know' podcast they do, and Tom Segal mentioned that their other tipster, Paul Keely, said how York doesn't suit all horses, which is strange as it looks like your most conventional track. They seem to think it is something to do with the fact that York is sand based. On that basis, I am willing to give Aikhal another try, as it was too bad to be true.

York 3:00

It's no surprise seeing BLUE FOR YOU heading the market in this very competitive handicap. He has been the definition of consistency in his first season for David O'Meara, but that has been a pain for connections as he keeps hitting the crossbar, shown by the recent trend of 2's next to his record, with him finishing runner-up three times in a row.

I think it's a huge plus to have a horse who handles a track, but as I mentioned earlier, some horses just don't handle York, so the fact Blue For You does handle it and has finishing runner-up twice is a big positive. You know for a fact that he gets on well at this venue and he should have no excuses on the day, with the ground looking to be perfect for him and he has been drawn in stall 1. Stall 1 can be an issue if he breaks slowly as it will mean he will get swamped on the inside and have a wall of horses to go past and will more than likely have trouble in running. However, he was drawn in stall 1 in the Glorious Goodwood handicap last time around and he raced prominently. He did suffer some interference that race but York isn't comparable to Goodwood in terms of needing luck in running, as the West Sussex track is arguably the worst in the country for needing luck in running.

He has been put up to a mark of 96, which is 3lbs more than last time but was the same mark as when he finished 2nd at this track at the back end of July. This is definitely a winning handicap mark if he can get the breaks needed, and I think with a clear run he is the one they all have to beat, as his position in the market suggests.

York 3:35

On the basis that Alpinista has won four Group 1's you have to make her the one they all have to beat. She has the best CV, even though her big wins have come over in Germany and France. The form is okay, and the fact she beat Torquator Tasso by 2.75L is quite flattering. The latter horse went on to win the Arc last year, but he peaked at Longchamp and had his optimal conditions, so the fact he finished behind Alpinista doesn't make me think she is lightyears ahead of this field.

The one I like at an each-way angle is LILAC ROAD. I've been an admirer of this horse for a while, but have always managed to steer away from her as she doesn't have the sexy profile as many others (even most in this race), but she is a filly who has bags of ability and I think the step up to 12f could bring out the improvement needed to get competitive at this level. She's not exactly bred to appreciate this step up in trip, but you'd have to say that based on her running style and how she finishes her races, they have to give her a try over 12f. She finished with a rattle in a Group 2 at this track in May beating Aristia, who is another filly who doesn't get enough credit for what ability she has. I think Lilac Road's last run at Goodwood was much better than the finishing margin would suggest, being 2.25L being Nashwa. I don't think she handled the track that well, she looked unbalanced and didn't get the clearest of runs, but once again stayed in well in the style of a horse who will improve over further. The form of that shouldn't be frowned upon as Nashwa is the best 3yo filly in UK and Ireland, even though she didn't win the Oaks. I think over 10f she is the best and nothing would beat her, as her résumé would suggest with 2x Group 1's to her name.

Touching on the others in the race:

• La Petite Coco – lovely horse, Group 1 winner, but will prefer a softer surface.
• Magical Lagoon – 3yo (they have good record in this race) and is also a Group 1 winner, but I think the form she has isn't that strong when you delve into it.
• Poptronic – Likable filly but has to show she is good enough at this level and prove she stays this trip (should do based on breeding). The form doesn't look the strongest.
• Raclette – French raider who has to be respected based on that. French form looks decent but might perform better on softer ground.
• Tuesday – Flopped in the Irish Derby last time around, and the form of that race looks fairly terrible with Westover performing poorly in the King George, as well as Emily Upjohn who was equally as bad, who beat Tuesday in the Oaks. Has to show last time out was a bad day at the office, but I couldn't touch her based on that recent run.

York 5:20

For the final race of Day 2 I have opted for another each-way horse in the shape of EIDIKOS.

I simply think the odds available are too big to ignore on this 3yo filly of Ardad. She has only won one race, which was her first ever run, but she has been highly tried at the Class 1 level since, and hasn't run without credit. She has gained the black type needed for breeding with her third-placed finish behind Oscula at Carlisle in a Listed race. We all know how good Oscula is, as she won a Group 3 on the weekend just past as well as winning another Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood.

This filly handles this track well enough, shown by her fourth-placed finish in a Listed race back in May. The form of that that race looks strong with the runner-up Grande Dame winning a Listed race in emphatic fashion, beating Oscula by 3.25L, recording an RPR of 107. The winner has since finished fourth in a Group 1 behind Nashwa. The form of the others in behind reads well, as well, with the fifth, Perfect News running a good race to finish runner-up in a Listed race at Chantilly.

William Buick is booked, which the first time Edward Bethell has used Buick, which is clearly a great booking. Also, the drop back to 7f looks a positive note as she doesn't seem to stay the 8f out as well as she does over 7f.

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