York Betting: Cunningham's view on the final day odds

Events / Simon Rowlands / 15 May 2008 / Leave a Comment

Geordieland could land first big success on final day of York's May Meeting, says Graham Cunningham with his last York briefing

1.40
Ten winners on show and, from what we have seen thus far, a high percentage of them look very closely matched. To The Point knew her job well first time out, while Maggie Lou showed a similarly professional attitude on her Haydock debut. The speedy Bahamian Babe and Dispol Kylie add further spice to what promises to be a very fast-run race, but all in all I'm happy to let this one pass me by.

Suggestion: No bet.

2.10
Opposing Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore can be very dangerous, as those of us who laid Tartan Bearer in the Dante will testify, but Sugar Ray got things all his own way up front when winning at Bath and faces much stronger rivals here. I doubt that Watamu can beat him, as he has seemed most at home on the all-weather of late. Pippa Greene's purple patch last season came with a fair amount of give underfoot, but he is lightly raced and remains an interesting horse for big handicaps. Dansili Dancer is another proven force at this level. He should go well if fully tuned up, but a 7lb penalty for a narrow success here on Wednesday will make following up difficult for the reliable Birkside.

Suggestion: Small lay of Sugar Ray.

2.40
This could turn messy, as Royal And Regal may well be withdrawn if rain fails to arrive and there is a distinct lack of pace with or without him in the field. The natural starting point is Honolulu, who excelled from a mark of 111 in the Ebor here last summer but showed a tendency to wander off the bridle when beaten at short odds in the St Leger and Ascot's Cumberland Lodge. Sergeant Cecil's rich York pedigree is tempered by his loss of form since his win in this race last year and, with no little trepidation, Geordieland is suggested as a sporting alternative. Granted, his tendency to falter off the bit is a concern, but Jamie Osborne feels he may well have rectified some physical problems and, if that is the case, this may be the day for him to finally land a big one.

Suggestion: Back Geordieland to win.

3.10
Raymi Coya is useful yet needs a career best to defy her 5lb penalty, while Mistress Greeley is open to improvement but needs to take a fair step forward to progress past these useful rivals. Musical Bar is extremely well bred. However, assessing what she beat at Newbury is tough, so the lightly raced Makaaseb is nominated as the most likely winner. Granted, she failed to build on the promise of her Newmarket debut win when stepped up in class for the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes last October. Softish ground seemed against here there, but these conditions will suit and a string of big entries suggest Michael Jarvis still feels she has plenty of scope for improvement.

Suggestion: Back Makaaseb.

3.45
Twelve face the starter, but Marvellous Value and Rash Judgement look very much the pair to focus on. Marvellous Value has lived up to his name by winning both his starts this spring and the form of his impressive Haydock success was franked when the placed horses dominated a Beverley handicap last week. The ground will be much faster on this occasion, though, and it remains to be seen whether he will be equally effective on it. Rash Judgement thrived on racing as a juvenile and ran a corker when hampered at Sandown on his reappearance. He looks bound to go close with Moore aboard for the first time, while Hamish McGonagall is another worth a positive mention after his promising effort at Thirsk.

Suggestion: Back Rash Judgement.

4.20
Another fiendishly difficult York sprint handicap. Richard Fahey broke his duck for the week in Thursday's finale and will have Wyatt Earp well primed to try and repeat last year's win from a slightly lower mark. He'll be all the better for a pipe opener at Beverley, while Damika is in the form of his life having been touched off in a hot contest at Newmarket and his trainer Richard Whitaker has a fair record at this track. Mastership is one to keep an eye on with the summer in mind on his debut for John Quinn, while Dandy Nicholls saddles two fancied contenders in Machinist and Buachaill Dona. Adrian Nicholls has plumped for Buachaill Dona, who ran well from a poor draw at Chester, and this will be the true test of whether he is at his very best over six furlongs.

Back Wyatt Earp to place.

4.55
The obvious one here is Cape Colony, who got off the mark in willing fashion on Kempton's Polytrack before following up in similar style on easy turf at Windsor. He's still fairly treated and looks bound to go close if he handles this faster surface, but don't be surprised if Laterly proves a viable each way alternative. Thomas Tate's horses are in fine fettle and Laterly is bred to be well served by middle distances this season. Granted, he finished behind Full Speed at Redcar last time, but this faster ground will suit his flowing action much better and by York standards this handicap looks a shade light on really progressive rivals.

Suggestion: Back Laterly win and place.