Brisk Symphony could only manage second place, but I think it was a poor decision by Rob Hornby not to force the pace.
Even though she was drawn in stall 10, she broke well and managed to be in the front two within the first furlong.
Nothing wanted to go forward apart from the front two, and I don't think the leader and eventual winner would have stopped Rob Hornby if he made the decision to front-run. The pace wasn't quick, and that saw my horse suffer as she lacked the gears. If Rob went from the front and forced a solid gallop, I think she wins. She stayed on towards the end.
Will Scarlett 11/1 (0.5pt EW, 4pl) – York 2.20
There is every chance that the top weight in this race is still capable of more, but after I watched him run in this race last year, I didn't think he had any excuses. The comments suggested that he didn't get a clear run, but if you watch the replay, that wasn't true. I think Plage De Havre and Stressfree are closely matched.
I wanted to be on a horse that would make the running or sit prominently, and Will Scarlett looked like one of the pace angles. Since moving to Simon Crisford's stable from France, he didn't show a great deal, but last time out at Meydan, they made all, and he appreciated those tactics.
I believe that this race is a stronger race, and he is running off a higher handicap mark, but he did win by four lengths. He is drawn in the middle, so he has the perfect opportunity to tack across and grab a lead.
Cool Hoof Luke 11/2 (1pt EW, 4pl) – York 3.30
The sprinting division is a big mix-up, and they all take it in turns to win the big races. We've not had a dominant sprinter in a fair few years, since the likes of Blue Point and Battaash. As a result, I thought taking a chance on the unexposed, lightly raced Cool Hoof Luke was worth it.
Andrew Balding's sprinter was a useful juvenile horse in 2024; he won at York and was placed in some Class 1 races. He must've encountered a fairly big injury after that season, as he didn't turn up for his three-year-old campaign. He made his racecourse reappearance from a 500+ day layoff at Lingfield. He finished third that day, producing an RPR of 110, which was a huge effort on such a big absence. The time after at Wolverhampton over slightly further he got the job done.
I think this return to York and 6f is a nice idea. He was too keen over 7f last time out, but his clash got him through it. This speedster track should allow him to cruise into contention, and then give a good late burst under the in-form Oisin Murphy.
GambleAware