Crescent Lake and Clan Chieftain ran third and an enhanced fourth at Sandown last night and therefore met the basic requirement of any each way selection. Unfortunately no joy at York. I was initially convinced that it was purely down to a low draw bias, and as we saw at The Curragh recently, when a draw bias is against you, especially unexpectedly and against a trend; it's tough and you have to take it on the chin. However, having watched the race a few times, I think it may have been as much "pace and prominent pace" related and at least one of our selections (It Just Takes Time) practically fell out of the stalls and another (Good Earth) met trouble in running.

 

We have a MASSIVE week ahead, the annual double header of Glorious Goodwood and the frankly barmy but wonderful spectacle of The Galway Festival, and we'll have tips and analysis from both each day; as it's very much one of the 4 big Festival weeks.

 

The quality Card today is at Ascot, both of the main handicaps though look likely market dominated to me on Good to Firm ground, the Chester; LIngfield and Salisbury Cards are pretty light on numbers and therefore options and we'll keep out Irish boys fresh for Galway so nothing to note at Gowran Park. The 6 furlong Sprint at York looks very "trappy" but we are keen on a few in the 4.35 race and there may be a bit of value in a 1 mile Straight race on the AW at Newcastle, where 5 of the 14 runners are of most interest which we've narrowed down to a 1-2 with some each way value.