Saturday 26th August 2017



14:25 York - BIN BATTUTA 14/1

 1.5 Points Each-Way

 On the face of it, going up up 5lb for winning by a head may seem on the harsh side, but if you had seen how Bin Battuta ate up the ground last time at Ascot you would agree that couldn't be further from the truth. He was last and had to switch very wide when turning for home, but he rattled home from the 2f pole and battled bravely in the closing stages to deny the hat trick seeking Cape Coast. The form of that Ascot contest looks strong with the fourth and fifth both coming out and winning since, also the sixth lost by just a nose next time out. Bin Battuta is a very well bred sort who is clearly well though of as he holds an entry for the St Ledger next month, he could take another step forward here and prove to be a group horse in time.


15:00 York - STAR STORM 16/1

 0.5 Points Each-Way

 It's a long time since Star Storm won a race, nearly two years in fact, but he still looks a good each-way bet in the Ebor based on his more recent form. He ran a huge race on his last start in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot finishing third behind Rare Rhythm, who has since franked the form with a win in listed company here at York on his next start. Star Storm didn't get the clearest of runs that day either and may have finished closer still. Prior to Royal Ascot he had finished second behind Desert Encounter, who has since finished second in listed company and third in the Coral Eclipse behind Ulysses. He looks a good each-way bet off a mark just a pound higher than at Royal Ascot.

SCARLET DRAGON 12/1

 0.5 Points Each-Way

 Scarlet Dragon comes into this 2lbs well in, after finishing a good third at Goodwood in a group 3 contest on what turned out to be very testing ground. Before that, he had finished a respectable tenth in the John Smiths Cup after not getting a clear run. This will be his first crack at this longer trip of 1m6f, but that could be exactly what he needs. His last win came at HQ in October over 1m4f where he ran on very strongly in the closing stages so todays extra couple of furlongs could bring a second win at the York festival for this gelding.

SkyBet paying 6 places on the Ebor so get on there.

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