York, 13:50 - Back Naana's Sparkle E/W @ 10/111.00
It wouldn't be the York Ebor meeting if we weren't opening with a hugely competitive sprint handicap and chances can be given to any number of the 22-strong field that will thunder up the 5f 89 yards of the Knavesmire straight.
I've had Corolla Point noted down for a big handicap since the start of the season and he teed up nicely for this by winning narrowly at Hamilton last time, form that was franked when his stable companion in third came out and won at Pontefract on Sunday.
The only knock on Corolla Point is his current price of 5/16.00 on the Sportsbook, which is tight enough for a race such as this.
Instead, I'm going to side with Naana's Sparkle each-way after he ran a cracker to finish second at Goodwood on his most recent start.
The selection has had only four starts this year, so will come into this fresher than most and his draw right in the middle should be ideal with a few pace horses around him.
Back Naana's Sparkle E/W in 13:50 York
Notable winners from Mark in recent weeks
Pure Passion @ 9/2
Galen @ 4/1
Edward Sexton @ 7/2
Free World @ 3/1
Archers Bay @ 3/1
Influencer Man @ 11/4
Quest For Stars @ 5/2
Mark's Bet of the Day: Acomb Stakes, York, 14:25 - Back Haffner @ 6/42.50
Having put up Haffner at Goodwood last time, I was disappointed that he couldn't get the job done, but he lost little in defeat when second that day and actually improved a chunk on his previous form in ratings terms.
That was only the son of Justify's third career start, so he's entitled to carry on progressing on the back of that and I'll be disappointed if he can't go one place better in what doesn't look the strongest renewal of the Acomb.
Runner-up on his debut in a strong race at the Curragh, Haffner built on that to get off the mark at the second time of asking at Newmarket, but simply found Dr Rascal just a shade too strong in the Vintage Stakes at the Glorious meeting on his most recent start.
There should still be plenty more to come from Haffner and this race looks an ideal spot for him land his first pattern success.
Back Haffner to win 14:25 York
Juddmonte International, York, 15:35 - Back Item E/W @ 7/18.00
This year's Juddmonte International has been billed as the race of the season and it's easy to see why, with one of the top horses in the world, Ombudsman, taking on the highly progressive Eclipse winner Constitution River.
While the clash between that pair is clearly a mouth-watering prospect, it would be remiss to ignore the chances of Item, who has an unblemished York record and looks to provide a bit of each-way value against the top two.
Andrew Balding's three-year-old was unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile before returning in style when smashing up Action and subsequent Derby winner Christmas Day in the Dante over this C&D.
Item himself ran poorly in the Derby, but that race was run in terrible conditions and it's easy enough to give him a pass for that.
Cast aside that one poor run and the son of Frankel has a very compelling profile, as he showed when getting back on track in the Sky Bet York Stakes here last time.
Course form can be mightily important on the Knavesmire, and that's something Item has in spades. He may not be quite good enough to beat the big two, but he looks sure to give a good account.
Back Item E/W in 15:35 York
York, 16:10 - Back Kirchner @ 4/15.00
It's hardly a surprise that Small Fry heads the market for this 2m handicap after his eye-catching runner-up finish at Goodwood last time, where he would probably have won had he not met some trouble as the race started to develop.
He isn't easy to dismiss for a trainer who has been winning plenty of top staying handicaps this season, but Kirchner is still unexposed and looks an interesting alternative.
Trained by the excellent James Owen, Kirchner is just four starts into his career in this country having started out in France and has been improving with each one. The selection could hardly have been more impressive when bolting up in a four-runner handicap at Ascot last time, passing the post with plenty in hand.
This race is obviously deeper, but Kirchner has got a good draw down towards the inside with a short run to the first turn and the bokking of Ryan Moore for the ride takes the eye.
Back Kirchner to win 16:10 York