A £50,000 jackpot is on offer on Friday for those attempting to win the ITV7 at York. We have looked into each race in the competition to guide you with our selections.
Race 1 – 1.50pm York – Sky Bet Handicap
Three of the last four favourites for this 1m4f handicap have been three-year-olds and none of them have won, a record for that generation which has lasted the entire decade. That is a big negative for the chances of progressive types Wafei, Mr Monaco and Grey Cuban despite their prominent positions in the market, and preference instead goes to LIEBER POWER, who has been in fine form this summer, recording two wins and two very narrow defeats. The form of those runner-up efforts looks just as promising as the victories though, one of which was over course and distance, so the chances are he is yet to finish progressing. With a run just eight days ago, he is 4lb well in at the weights too.
Race 2 – 2.00pm Ffos Las – Ascona Ladies Fuelled By Fashion Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap
Unlike at York, the prevailing ground looks set to be soft at Ffos Las. That leaves question marks about a few, though PARIKARMA has won on rain-drenched surfaces under both codes and has made a promising start for her new yard with a win over hurdles and a close second at Musselburgh on the flat three weeks ago. This longer trip should suit her more and she can land the spoils.
Race 3 – 2.25pm York – Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (Group 2)
There are a couple of interesting options at bigger prices for this staying Group 2, so if you’re feeling brave, the claims of Align The Stars and Al Nayyir are perhaps better than their odds suggest. From a win perspective though, POINT LONSDALE looks the safest bet. It is surprising he has only once raced over further than 1m4f, which came earlier this season in success in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester. He won by a wide margin that day too, and with his full brother Broome having won at Group level upped to 2m, there are plenty of positive omens for him to take to this new distance. A couple of his runs in Group 1s over 1m4f this season suggest he still possesses all of his ability.
Race 4 – 2.45pm Newmarket – JenningsBet Fillies’ Handicap
The most recent winning form in this open handicap belongs to Andrew Balding’s ALL AGLEAM. That she recorded that victory at Lingfield from the front is a positive for the July Course and she won with authority, suggesting she had improved upon her efforts from earlier in 2024. She may well be able to pick up another win off 6lb higher.
Race 5 – 3.00pm York – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)
Any number of these make appeal in what looks a strong edition of the Gimcrack, in keeping with a great week at York in all. Ten runners should ensure the draw is not as much of an issue as it can be on the straight course and so THE STRIKIN VIKING narrowly appeals as the likeliest winner having only been overcome late on at Goodwood having raced up with a pace which collapsed dramatically late on. However, Big Mojo and Andesite should be given strong consideration, while Camille Pissarro and Shadow Of Light hold obvious claims given their connections.
Race 6 – 3.35pm York – Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)
This race may well conclude Asfoora’s campaign in this country after an already successful raid upon the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. However, she might have to give best to BRADSELL, who has been afforded a plumb draw which he did not get when third in this last year and doing easily the best of those nearer the stands rail. He had been off the track for a long time when winning a Listed contest at Deauville on his return and that should set him up perfectly to strike.
Race 7 – 4.10pm York – Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap
The one to appeal most in this sizeable field is CHORUS for William Haggas, who has twice sent out the runner-up in this race. It took his daughter of Kingman five starts to get off the mark, but the winners of the four maidens and novice races she contested prior are now rated 97, 90, and two at 106. She was never beaten that far in any of those performances and took advantage of a more winnable race at Windsor latest, scoring by five lengths. Two of her half-siblings have won Group races with all three recording RPRs of 94, so she is bred to be better still, and can overcome a tricky draw in stall 17.
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