Friday 21st August 2026
The first of four bets for me on Friday at York and on day three of the Ebor Meeting comes within the 3.00, and this is the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes, a Group 2 affair contested over six furlongs. I’m with the ever-consistent ADAAY OF SCALRETT here for the combination of Hugo Palmer and Oisin Murphy. He’s more exposed than his rivals here; however, he sets a very solid standard on the form he’s shown so far this term. He bolted up on debut at Newmarket in April, before following up at Ascot, and has since gone on to finish second in Group 2s at Ascot, Newmarket, and most recently Goodwood. There’s nothing to suggest that he won’t give his running once again here, and if that’s the case, he’s likely to be bang on the premises again. Aidan O’Brien’s Marco Polo is the interesting one here; he’s had just the one start to date, where he finished second at the Curragh just twelve days ago, and could improve markedly. The unbeaten Arapaho Gold can’t be dismissed either; he won a Listed race at Newbury last time out, and could still have more to offer.
Selection: Adaay Of Scarlett – (9/2) (Each-Way)
Shortlist: Marco Polo (11/2), Arapaho Gold (3/1)
3.00 York
I move on to the feature race of the day at 3.35 for my second bet of the afternoon: the Group 1 Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs. This is possibly the most competitive Group 1 sprint of the season; however, I’ve come down on the French raider in this year’s affair, and that’s RAYEVKA for Francis-Henri Graffard and Mickael Barzalona. She returned from Dubai with a Group 3 success at Longchamp in May, before posting an excellent effort at Royal Ascot when finishing a head second of twenty-six in the King Charles III Stakes behind the reopposing Mission Central. She’ll have no issue with any cut in the ground here, and this strong-travelling sort has to be factored into calculations for her powerhouse French trainer, following her Ascot effort. American raider Bacio has to come into the equation here for Wesley Ward, following his mightily impressive victory in a competitive handicap at Royal Ascot; the ground is a slight concern for me with him, as he’ll likely need it fast; however, he still looks very smart. One at a big price that could go well is Redorange for Clive Cox; he won a Listed event over course and distance last time out, and could go well.
Selection: Rayevka – (4/1) (Each-Way)
Shortlist: Bacio (9/2), Redorange (25/1)
3.35 York
My third bet of the selection comes within the 4.45, and this is the Convivial Maiden Stakes, a Class 2 affair over seven furlongs. We have some potentially really nice types here, and it’s the Royal runner I’ve sided with in LANCASTER TOWER for John & Thady Gosden, who’s the mount of William Buick. He’s got a very attractive pedigree, and ran with a huge amount of promise on debut at Sandown when finishing third and a length and a quarter behind subsequent Listed winner Quest For Stars. He was well-fancied that day, and travelled powerfully into the race before tiring. He should almost certainly take a big step forward coming into his second start here, and that has to make him a big player here. I think we could see a big run. Karl Burke’s Launch Sequence has run well on both starts to date, finishing third in both runs, including a valuable Goodwood affair last time out. He makes the shortlist just ahead of Aidan O’Brien’s Oklahoma, who should also give a good account of himself following two-placed efforts to date; he’s also very well bred.
Selection: Lancaster Tower – (11/4) (Win) (NB)
Shortlist: Launch Sequence (5/1), Oklahoma (9/4)
4.45 York
I turn to the final race of the afternoon for my fourth bet, the 5.20, which is the Sky Bet EBF Fillies’ Handicap, a Class 2 affair over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of SILVER LAKE here for William Haggas and Saffie Osbourne. She’s been a rapid improver in her last two outings since going handicapping under a tongue-strap, culminating with a dominant success at Goodwood last time out, where she got the better of the reopposing Lady Dora Mae by three lengths. She’s up nine pounds for that success; however, she’s likely still improving, and I think she’ll post a very bold bid to bring the hat trick up for a yard that loves having winners on the Knavesmire. Food For Thought has finished second in both starts within handicap company so far for Ralph Beckett, and has every chance of being on the premises again here off a two-pound higher mark than her latest effort at Newmarket.
Selection: Silver Lake – (3/1) (Win) (NAP)
Shortlist: Food For Thought – (8/1)
5.20 York
