In the build up to Royal Ascot next week, we begin to build our pot with meetings at both York and Sandown. Up North, we focus on the big sprints that York is so famous for. It’s the same down South as Sandown hosts the Scurry Stakes. Some nice value to sort out on today’s Four To Follow.
York
Sittin’ On The Dock
3:00 – Race To The Ebor Grand Cup (Listed) – Salt Bay @ 6/1 (General)
Despite not winning a race since debut, Salt Bay is due a win. He came close at the start of the season as he only finished a neck down to Hamish in April. Hamish then finished an admirable second in the Coronation Cup. Salt Bay has deserved to step up in trip and may unlock the key to his success.
A Town Up North
3:35 – Macmillan Sprint Handicap – Pocklington @ 13/2 (William Hill)
Located in 15 miles from York racecourse and trained up North in Malton, it may be written in the stars for Pocklington. The ground is acting on the easy side, which means the winner will be drawn from middle to high. Pocklington sits slap bang in the middle, and is on the pace of Media Shooter in the stall next door. A three-year-old destined for C&D trips in the future.
When it comes to Yorkshire sprinters, Tim Easterby is king. Vince L’Amour is his top hope today, despite being a pound out of the handicap. It shouldn’t make too big a difference as he’s drawn in an area of plenty of pace. Expect him to go forward, and keep going as he should act on the soft side of good. 16/1 (William Hill).
Twilight Romance should be one who’s prominent early on. Although he has shown indication he acts on firm ground, which may be a negative today with the ground on the softer side of good. But he’s drawn next to pace and acted well on the all-weather and should have matured to act on this type of ground into three. 18/1 (General).
Sandown
It’s Magic You Know
2:05 – talkSPORT Handicap – Dancing Magic @ 11/2 (Betfred, Boylesports)
Last year Dancing Magic was a group horse and has come down enough to perform at is level. He should act well with the ground and the booking of Oisin Murphy is worth looking at. He looks like he can’t manage big field handicaps, so this might be his cup of tea after tumbling down his marks enough.
Terwada has come back to a mark of 90, which was his first winning mark as a three-year-old last season at Newmarket. He’s drawn next to some pace in the field and clearly loves going at the mile distance. Both Ed Walker and Tom Marquand are in good form too, so Terwada is worth a punt each-way. 11/1 (General).
South Of The Equator
2:40 – Scurry Stakes (Listed) – Flora Of Bermuda @ 4/1 (William Hill)
Flora Of Bermuda could earn a nice title of Queen of the South tonight after coming down from a Group Two to Listed level. With Flora Of Bermuda she can either be on it or off it, and at Haydock a couple of weeks ago, she was off it. Now down to a Listed contest, it should suit her better than travelling to Royal Ascot for a sprint race well out of her depth.
The very best of luck!
