Pace Angles & Draw Angles:
An even-to-strong gallop looks likely. Command The Stars, Just A Girl, Hey Tru Blue, and Champion Island have all led or pressed, while others like Ballistic Missile, Daydreama, and Advance Twentyfive race handily. There’s a risk of overdoing it up front. Hold-up types like Amazing Journey and Stellar Sunrise could benefit if they settle well.
Draw plays fair on good ground over 7f at York, but high draws (e.g., stalls 14–19) may struggle for early cover. Lower numbers (e.g., 1–6) often advantageous in big fields if the rail holds.
Strongest Contenders:
- Stellar Sunrise (Andrew Balding / Oisin Murphy) – Progressive. Backed up decent C&D form with an authoritative Glorious Goodwood win (RPR 94) over 6f. Bred to stay 7f and looks well-handicapped from OR 88. Oisin Murphy rides again. Drawn wide in 19, which is a slight concern tactically, but he finishes strongly and is improving rapidly.
- Command The Stars (George Scott) – Progressive. Made all to win at Beverley then at Lingfield, both over 7f. Has the rail (stall 12) and likely to adopt same tactics, but now off OR 90 and will face competition for the lead. However, pedigree and visuals suggest he’ll get a mile and stays this trip well.
- Ballistic Missile (Richard Hannon) – Proven and solid. Ran a big figure (RPR 92) on handicap debut at Newmarket after a wind op, only just denied. High draw avoided (stall 5), will race handily and is open to further progress. Doyles’s presence a plus.
- Amazing Journey (Jamie Osborne) – Progressive. Been steadily upgraded in all three turf starts, beating winners and showing pace versatility. RPR 90 latest. Quickened through a field and still finished with running. Well-drawn in 9 and will be held up—shape should suit.
- Hey Tru Blue (George Boughey) – Promising. Easy Doncaster maiden winner and caught the eye staying on in nursery debut at Goodwood in testing ground. Return to quicker going and second run in handicap suggest improvement likely.
Main Dangers:
- Better And Better – Solid & improving. Took a big step forward with a smooth win at Haydock over 6f (RPR 91). Up to 7f now, which should suit based on style and breeding. Wide draw (16) a worry for pace pressure.
- Just A Girl – Progressive. Dominant at Lingfield and bred to be sharp and fast. Trainer has an excellent record here. RPR 97 last time is one of the best in field, though form depth a little questionable.
- Champion Island – Proven. Repeated a solid level of form in two nurseries behind Sir Albert, shaping like one who’ll enjoy a strong pace. Wide draw (13) but Buick keeps faith.
Interesting Outsiders:
- Dublin Bay – Rapidly progressive. Dual nursery winner, bolting up at Doncaster last time. RPR 94 and looks underestimated on OR 73. Up in class but not out of place on times. Stall 8 is ideal.
- Peel Park – Unexposed. Debut win came at Yarmouth where he looked to have more in the tank. RPR 96 and step up to 7f looks ideal. Ryan Moore keeps the ride. Big-field unknown but draw (2) helpful.
- Kanishka – Improving. Newcastle maiden winner, decent figures prior. Up against deeper types here but has tactical speed and stamina. Possibly underestimated.
Hold-Up Risk Types (needing luck):
- Amazing Journey
- Stellar Sunrise
- Dublin Bay
Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis:
- Stellar Sunrise: 8.5/10 – Suited by trip, improving, top connections. Needs luck from wide draw.
- Command The Stars: 8/10 – Suits front-running on rail, but pace pressure risk. Strong stamina influence helps.
- Ballistic Missile: 8/10 – Suits the trip, improving since wind op, good draw.
- Amazing Journey: 8/10 – Late closer, track might suit. Can improve again.
- Hey Tru Blue: 7.5/10 – Potential improver. Travelled well at Goodwood. Each-way value.
- Just A Girl: 7.5/10 – Fast filly, figures good, but weaker form lines.
- Champion Island: 7/10 – Honest, but may lack tactical edge here.
- Better And Better: 7/10 – Will be involved early, but wide draw and pace profile a concern.
- Peel Park: 7/10 – Could be smart, but nursery debut in a big field is a new challenge.
- Daydreama: 6.5/10 – Regressed on the clock last time; this is deeper.
- Advance Twentyfive: 6/10 – Potential, but form hard to weigh.
- Norfolk Blue: 6/10 – Beaten convincingly by Command The Stars.
- Special Dividend: 5.5/10 – All form on synthetics; turf unknown.
- Ubetterseethis: 5.5/10 – Gutsy, but form suspect.
- Kanishka: 6.5/10 – Late-developing sort. Not ruled out.
- Dublin Bay: 7.5/10 – Could be ahead of the handicapper.
- Gold Dawn: 5/10 – Vulnerable in a race of this depth.
- Logi Bear: 6/10 – May get run off feet early.
- Hengroin: 5/10 – Up against better types.
Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.
Each-Way Angles (18 runners):
- Amazing Journey – Will get cover from draw 9, strong closing sectionals. Has beaten winners, stays.
- Hey Tru Blue – Ran better than bare form last time, could go close with better ground.
- Dublin Bay – Hard to ignore on form and momentum.
Private Tissue Estimate:
- Stellar Sunrise – 9/2
- Ballistic Missile – 11/2
- Command The Stars – 6/1
- Amazing Journey – 15/2
- Peel Park – 9/1
- Hey Tru Blue – 10/1
- Just A Girl – 11/1
- Champion Island – 12/1
- Dublin Bay – 14/1
- Better And Better – 16/1
- Others 20/1+
Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.
Summary + Professional Punter View (Smart Play):
This is a deep and competitive nursery, but likely won by one still on the up. The pace looks strong, which could expose early burners and favour late closers with tactical speed.
Smart Play:
- Win Bet – Stellar Sunrise (Proven, progressive, acts on track, and good 6f pace)
- Each-Way Saver – Amazing Journey (Shaping well, gets cover, peaking at the right time)
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