Friday, York, 13:50, Sky Bet Mile Handicap Tip: Back Bearish EW six places @ 16/117.00
Oisin Murphy got the ball rolling with yesterday's tip for Andrew Balding, hopefully he can do the same for handler Ed Dunlop, who currently trails Balding in the trainers' title race by about £6million.
Bearish might just be okay in the softer conditions, though, and the ground has blown away a few chances this week.
Bearish did win back in April for his first run of the season at Thirsk when times suggested it was good to soft rather than the official good.
He was an ultra-short price that day too, and cannot remember the last time Dunlop had a runner at 2/71.29, and while the pace was so steady off a finishing speed of 118%, he still picked up going away.
Second under a penalty subsequently, his handicap debut at Ayr was a winning one, again the pace wasn't eyeballs out and he still looked a little green as he got up to score by a neck.
To the naked eye he's a handsome colt, big too, and I thought there was a fair bit of knee action at Ayr. Up 5lb to 87 he obviously has to improve a fair bit, but I can see him going well from a good draw on the inside chasing a pace.
Back Bearish in the 13:50 at York EW six places
Friday, York, 16:10, Assured Data Protection Handicap Tip: Back Wave Rider @ 13/27.50
The rain may have turned the white roses of Yorkshire grey over the last two days, but soft will be not an iota of an issue for Wave Rider.
He won at Pontefract last year in soft as a three-year-old when trained by Harry Charlton, and slammed 90-odd rated horses including my namesake Mr Alan by a wide margin (always the bridemaid us Alans).
Since that success at the home of the broken bridge, a spell out in Bahrain for new owners and a new trainer in George Scott failed to yield a win, but collected a second and third.
We have barely seen him on these shores but a comeback run after win surgery at Goodwood last time was luckless and short of room, but his Scott stablemate Al Aali was away from the problems and won.
Wave Rider didn't have a great draw over the far side early, but he travelled well and inside the final furlong it wouldn't have needed Poirot to spot him having a fairly easy time as the gaps did not happen.
Cheekpieces are now applied for the first time and Scott with that particular set is 14% win and 33%.
I have a feeling with his extravagant way of moving judged on Pontefract the softer conditions will suit him.
Back Wave Rider in the 16:10 at York
Friday, York, 17:20, Sky Bet EBF Fillies' Handicap Tip: Back Janey Mackers EW five places @ 10/111.00
Janey Mackers is a bit more of a speculative poke at 10s for trainer David Menuisier, whose Master Builder I am sure will be popular on Friday.
Again, with the potential for some softer going, Janey Mackers won on testing ground early in her career as a two-year-old, and a wide margin win to boot at Doncaster and Menuisier might have thought he had a potential Classic filly.
Those dreams were quickly dispelled as she was thrashed last year in the Pretty Polly, likewise at Goodwood but at least got back on track winning at Newbury (again in soft).
It was a performance reminiscent of some of the races at York over the past two days too. Alcaraz had a big lead in the Newbury straight and in the closing 2f, Janey Mackers finished well.
She looks a good strong stayer at 1m2f.
She's only been seen once this season, back at Chester in the May meeting and I suspect she's been kicking her heels at home with all of the hot weather and finally with showers, and with the five places, she appeals at 10/111.00.
Back Janey Mackers in the 17:20 at York EW five places