It’s the second day of the York standing meeting, and I’m going back to York for one more ride, and it’s Al Mootamarid for Marco Botti, in a mile and a half competitive handicap. It’s a small field. He’s the outside of the field, but this horse, his last two runs on the all-weather as a winner and a third. But I think coming back on turf with a bit of juice in the ground over a mile and a half on a track like York is going to be perfect for him. He’s the outsider of the field, but this horse, I think, will run a strong race. His homework has been very good on the gallops.
These are my picks for the second day:
Earlier in the card, in the Middleton Stakes, I do like R Beckett and Rossa Ryan. They’ve been teaming up to big effect this season, and Blue Stocking, who ran a credible second in the group on Champions Day last year is the one from the pick in that race.
Also, for the Dante Stakes, Ancient Wisdom, I think, is going to be very hard to beat in what is a Derby trial. The Derby is somewhat looking to be a very open race at the moment with City of Troy getting beaten in the Guineas so ancient wisdom can put his foot forward and stamp his authority to possibly go the Derby Favourite.
