Saturday Racing Tips: Timeform's trio to back at York

14:25, York - Fortification on an upward curve

5 (11)

Fortification

• J: Ben Robinson
• T: Brian Ellison
• F: 21-324143

• SBK 3/1
• EXC 4.7

Fortification has shown improved form since joining Brian Ellison, causing a shock when a 40/1 winner on his stable debut over this course and distance last month.

There was no fluke about that performance, and he showed much improved form to win that very competitive handicap which is working out well.

He wasn't beaten far in another big-field contest at this course next time, losing little in defeat, and he caught the eye upped to six furlongs last time. Fortification shaped most encouragingly from a poor track position, all of the others in the first six all coming from a single-figure stall - he was given the Horse In Focus Flag as a result.

The drop back to five furlongs shouldn't be an issue and he remains a sprinter to keep on the right side from a 3lb higher mark.

15:38, York - Who's Lope will relish longer trip

9 (5)

Who's Lope

• J: Oisin Murphy
• T: Andrew Balding
• F: 8-21

• SBK 10/11
• EXC 2.2

Who's Lope didn't show much on his debut over a mile on his sole start last season, but he has plenty of stamina in his pedigree, so it is no surprise to see him show improved form in a couple of starts over middle distances this year.

He bumped into a nice prospect on his return at Salisbury, and improved markedly to open his account over a mile and a half at Beverley four weeks ago, staying the longer trip well.

Admittedly, that wasn't much of a race, but he was impressive all the same, and he's in the right hands to do better still. The step up to this even longer trip is sure to bring about further improvement - he's the only runner in the field with the Timeform small p attached to his rating - and the handicapper may have taken a chance with his opening mark.

16:15, York - Hallo Spaceboy improving all the time

3 (7)

Hallo Spaceboy

• J: Oisin Murphy
• T: Ed Walker
• F: 321-22

• SBK 7/4
• EXC 2.76

Hallo Spaceboy bumped into some useful types before opening his account at Newcastle on his final start last season and he's arguably unlucky not to have added further wins this year.

He was unlucky to bump into a very well treated sort on his return at Kempton, but he shaped as though the run would do him good, and he duly improved a chunk for that outing when narrowly denied at Ascot last time.

Hallo Spaceboy went like the best horse at the weights on that occasion, giving the eventual winner something to chase having hit the front still travelling well over a furlong out.

He was given the Horse In Focus Flag as a result, still open to improvement, and the sharper nature of York should suit him well. Hallo Spaceboy remains well handicapped despite a 5lb rise.

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Now read Mark Milligan's Saturday Horse Racing Tips