By Tony Calvin - 22 August 2025
It was always the plan for Bullet Point to double up at this meeting, it seems, and he is right in the mix here (best price of 4s now after the 5s in a place was taken early doors this morning) after his impressive handicap win off a mark of 100 on Thursday.
And William Haggas has a good record on the rare occasions he turns his horses around very quickly.
But I imagine they will make a late call on his participation after seeing how he is on Saturday morning – he is off to Australia after this – and that could obviously have a big betting bearing on this race, as we have the dead-eight.
I found it a tricky race before you factor that in, and I won’t be having a bet.
The [22/1] outsider – the 25s was taken yesterday – Checkandchallenge could have been underestimated in the betting, though.
He may not have won since November 2023 but he is well up to this Group 3 grade and his two previous starts here yielded a fourth (of five admittedly) in a Group 2 and then a third to See The Fire in this very race last season.
If you want a bet, then maybe he is the one, with the stable having a winner here on Thursday after a very quiet spell and then saddling the third in the Nunthorpe.
It is [5.4] the field on Betfair as this goes live – only 0.2 covers four horses – and the biggest mover so far has been Gladius.
He was 9s yesterday morning and is now just [4/1].
Mark a fair bit of that movement down to Hugh Taylor, who stuck him up at 9.27am yesterday morning.
A good, competitive race for this 100k 7f handicap – it may be eight shy of the maximum for this valuable pot but that is the norm these days, with this bloated fixture list, which will remain in place in 2026 – and it pulled me this way and that.
And I eventually decided it wasn’t taking me anywhere, thanks very much.
I genuinely could make out a decent enough case for all 12, though you can see why they are giving 7f a go with Zoulu Chief after his strong-finishing second over 6f at Windsor last time, his first run after being gelded.
Whether or not they will go forward on him on his first attempt at this trip, I am not sure, but he is one of only two pace angles in this race (Gorak is the other) so they could be tempted,
I imagine they could ride him a bit chillier now gelding may have settled him down a bit, especially with him going up in trip. Gorak will give them all a good tow.
He went up 1lb for the Windsor run but that is still 15lb shy of his peak 2023 mark (it was this time of the year when he bolted up from the front in that York 6f nursery from Starlust) and Heather Main has her horses in decent nick.
The general 16s about him is fair enough (each-way punters can get 16s, four places), but I could say the same about a few others in this, and I am not inclined to force a bet myself.
He would the one I would suggest you lean into if you have to have a bet, though.
Just the 12 runners for a 170k Melrose that could have accommodated 22 (and you suspect a fair number of the dozen could be heading to Australia after this as well), but that is where we are at, unfortunately.
We are 10 light of a full field then, but just as well as this is difficult enough, as it stands.
I have probably seen better-class renewals of this race (this is effectively a 83-93) but it is certainly competitive.
I agree with the market that Tarriance is the one to beat though, but his price of [7/2] across the board on Friday morning wasn’t doing it for me.
He is now [9/2] in a place – make that three now – and that could entice me.
I’ll need to wake someone up though…
Is 7am too early on a Saturday? (I’ll happily take calls from 4am myself if I had any accounts to aid others in the unfair fight punters wage…).
You just had to love this horse’s attitude in seeing off a horse on a four-timer over this trip at Sandown last time, with the rest well beaten off, and I think a 4lb rise for that will not be the ceiling of his ability.
However, while the class may not be there these year, the potential is and there several other obvious improvers in here, so this isn’t a race I would be going overboard about stakes-wise.
In fact, I wasn’t going to have a bet but Tarriance has drifted to [6/1] at 11.15am, and [8.0] on Betfair, and that was big enough for me to get involved.
Just the seven for a 45k pot, though a couple of firms are still paying three places.
Prince Of The Seas, the only 3yo in the race and getting 9lb from his elders, was surprisingly short at [5/6] when I did the first draft of this column on Friday morning but you can certainly see why he heads the market.
He is at least a more realistic [6/4] now, though.
He ran in a couple of Derby trials in the spring and then was gelded, with his first start back after having his knackers off a decidedly underwhelming last of 10 at Haydock.
But, back to 1m4f and with a tongue-tie on, he ran a very good race to finish a close third in a Shergar Cup handicap last time.
A 1lb rise looked very fair and, with a 5lb claimer on whom Ralph Beckett rates, I suspect he is very much the one to beat in a weak race for the money.
But would I back him at his current odds?
No.
It’s a nasty little race in truth, but at least he is out to [9/4] fixed odds, and [3.65] on the exchange, as at 11.15am.
Laying Rosallion, and having the field running for me at just over [4/6], is going to be my strongest betting opinion of the day.
He currently trades at a drifting 2.42-2.44 on Betfair (annoying as he was 2.3 this morning) as this goes live, against a best fixed-odds price of [5/4].
I genuinely wouldn’t be tempted by 2s myself, though of course he could bolt up here.
That is important to acknowledge.
I’d be in the Matthew Mantle camp on X about this nonsense, “celebrity pundits”, can’t win talk. It’s a position I have always held myself.
You have to be responsible, to a fair degree, while giving your straight-up opinion at the same time.
I accept people are paid to give their honest take – and the ultimate decision lies with the readers, who are adults, which is pretty much the MO of this column, as I just tell you what I have done/will do and then the ball is in your court – even if they are probably playing the media soundbite game at the same time.
Any horse can win any race, as we saw with Qirat at Goodwood, and it is all about the price.
I rarely (if ever) play at odds-on when backing on horse racing, but I often do so when laying, as with Lambourn this week and when dutching a pair of shorties.
There was a big (ish) furore when Richard Hannon was perhaps slightly economical with the truth when discussing this horse’s chance in the Prix Jacques Le Marois, only to rule him out of the race a few hours later with a bruised foot.
He subsequently said he hadn’t spoken to the owner at that stage, and that is fair enough.
Considering who the owner is…
And it was not the first foot problem the horse has experienced in his career, by the sounds of it.
That would put me off for starters, and I am not even sure he is actually fully worthy of his 120 rating, to be perfectly honest (he was actually on 122 after his Royal Ascot win from the disappointing Henry Longfellow last summer, and that definitely bigged him up too much).
If he wins, I lose.
I may be being too harsh on him here but it’s my money and I’ll do what I want with it (see above…)
I have long been of the opinion that Lake Forest needs some headgear and William Haggas was recently discussing putting half-cup/half-blinkers on him for this race.
There is no such indication that he has (maybe half-blinkers don’t have to be declared in race cards?} and it was disappointing to see him run so badly in a Group 3 here two starts ago, even if it may have come too soon after Royal Ascot.
More about him in a minute.
It speaks volumes that Sussex Stakes winner Qirat is a 22s chance in this, but it is another horse trading at those around those odds who is perhaps worthy of a small win-only bet.
The 3yo filly Exactly receives weight all around here and some of her Group 1 form over 1m this season, notably her runs in the French 1,000 Guineas (hampered) and the Prix Rothschild last time, makes her of interest at the price.
Especially as the step down to 7f in what promises to be a very strongly-run race (see the pace map) could suit.
I have backed her at 20s+ on Betfair (currently 18.0) and I will have also a small bet on Lake Forest at the current [12.5] on Betfair.
Forgive him that run here two starts ago, and he is overpriced with double-figure quotes, given his form either side of that disappointment.
If Tom Marquand can sit him handy enough in this burn-up and not get too detached (Quinault will surely blast again), then we are bang in the hunt in the final furlong or so.
I wonder if you do have to declare half-blinkers?
I suspect you do, but does anyone know for sure?
Ten Bob Tony is a NR as at 6.05am (going). I am not exactly sure what ground they were expecting.
The Irish have a strong hand in this, most obviously with last year’s unlucky fifth Hipop De Loire. But that is why he is [7/2].
Yes, Mullins and all that, but he is an 8yo and you surely have to look elsewhere.
I much prefer the claims of another horse of that age, Enemy, actually. I was disappointed he was only 25s on Friday morning but he is now 33s, six places, with six firms and 33s, seven places, with one.
The 33s and 28s would be okay with the place terms but, given his exchange price, he surely has to hit 40s this morning. I’ll keep an eye out.
In fact, he has already gone 40s with 13 firms, and I may hold out for 50s if I were you.
Now 50s in three places as at 8.10am, and I have now backed him each way, fwiw.
He showed a lot more in the Shergar Cup last time and has a lot of back-class for a horse rated 98 (he probably ran a stone higher than that mark at Riyadh in February), and he is now sporting first-time cheekpieces (his half-sister Magic Wand won the Grade 1 Mackinnon in those, Down Under).
I shall have to have a win-only bet on him on Betfair, as he is trading at [90.0] there, albeit to pennies.
I know he has struggled in past Ebors but off far higher marks than this.
My main swing is Almosh’her.
He is 18s, fixed-odds (with two firms, one of which offer six places), but currently [26.0] on Betfair.
Wathnan Racing bought him after he beat the solid yardstick Stressfree over 1m4f here in May – that was a win-and-you’re-in for this race, and it is one that worked out well, with the second, third and fifth winning next time (the fourth hasn’t run since) – but everything went wrong for him in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes last time.
He wide draw in 22 didn’t work out too well for him, and he also played up beforehand – little wonder he drifted from initial [4/1] favouritism – and in the race itself he was far too keen and badly-positioned.
He had been gelded since, and that isn’t a shock given Ascot.
Indeed, he has always had a a reputation as being a bit of a boyo in his short career.
The handicapper didn’t drop him for that run, which wasn’t a surprise, but if he can keep his mind on the job here then he has the potential (this is just his sixth start) to run a big race.
He still seems well handicapped to me, off just a 5lb higher than the well-advertised May win.
The trip is an unknown, but he clearly sees 1m4f out very well, and hopefully a draw in two proves a positive and not a negative.
Siege Of Troy is the early main mover into [15/2]. He was 14s and 12s, but he is beginning to drift back out again (indeed he is 17.5 on Betfair as at 1.35pm).
Fleetfoot is the other shortener (it may be no coincidence, once again, that he is the nap of The Times – which often prompts a big market move from 6pm the day before).
He is out to 17.0 on Betfair as at 1.35pm, though.
There is enough going on today – though I am only betting in two races – to ensure that a 6f handicap is not on my punting dance card on Saturday.
Again, I have no inclination to have a bet here, so once again I am not going to waste my time or yours with these lotteries.
What I will say is that Geoff Oldroyd is having a staggering season and he probably should have won with Air Force One and Big Leader (I flagged the 1-2 in the latter race but the wrong one won, rather annoyingly) – they were his only runners here so far – at York this week and his favourite, Pocklington, at [9/2] each way, five places, and that’s a general price, looks okay.
That is some operation, stats-wise.
GOING: Good to firm, good in places
Going Stick : 6.3, Saturday 8.15am
Going Stick readings in Home Straight; Far Side – 6.2; Centre – 6.4; Stands Side 6.3
Moisture metre reading – Moisture: 30%, Wind speed and direction on Saturday at 2pm; SE part behind 5mph gusting to 11mph.
Saturday morning course update: A dry, cool and cloudy early Saturday morning. Recent rainfall of 0.6mm Tuesday making 7.4mm in August. Met Office Forecast: Saturday- dry and mostly overcast with very gentle breeze, SSE during racing, 19 degrees. Live links to our weather station and to the Met Office forecast are available at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk by clicking through for Going Details on the Home page.
Rails: Planned rail positions for the meeting: Thursday rail; 3m out from 9f to entrance to Home Straight. Friday: 6m out. Saturday: tba.
Stalls: 5f, 5f 89yds, 6f and 1m 4f – Centre. Remainder – Inside Rail
Watering details (updated Saturday morning): The whole course was irrigated with 2mm Friday night replacing moisture lost during the day, making 10mms in last seven days.
Weather: Dry, overcast and 19 degrees
GOING: Good to firm, good in places
GOING STICK: 7.4, Saturday 8.15am
Saturday morning course update (I’ve seen more effort go into these…): The week looks dry with good sunny spells and breezy. 21-25C.
Rails: Bottom Bend and the Straight to the 2f and the Top Bend will be dolled out. **DEPENDING ON DAMAGE WE MAY REMOVE THE FALSE RAIL FOR SUNDAY**
Stalls: 5f, 6f, 7f, 1m; Centre 1m3f, 1m4f; Outside Rest; Inside
Watering details (updated Saturday morning): Applied 3mm to the Round Course on Thursday
Weather: Dry, overcast and 21 degrees
3.35pm York: Loughville, Aeronautic, Charging Thunder, Faylaq, Master Builder, Alphonse Le Grande, Comic Book, Westminster Moon, Who’s Glen, Extensio, Dancing In Paris, Raja Raj, Too Bossy For Us, En Or, Paddy The Squire, Miller Spirit, Youthful King, Imperial Sovereign, Lieber Power, Dramatic Star, Story Horse, Tribal Star Savrola
4.10pm York: Moltophinpo, Toca Madera, Dyonisos, Double Rush, Brosay, Fivethousandtoone, Rare Change, Purest Time, Rousing Encore, Roberto Caro, Loom, King’s Call
John and Thady Gosden blinkers 13-72 (since 2021); Audience, 3pm York
John and Thady Gosden visor 2-8 (2021); French Master, 3.35pm York
John and Thady Gosden cheekpieces 13-125 (2021); Mudbir, 2.05pm Goodwood
Ian Williams cheekpieces 19-158 (2016); Enemy, 3.35pm York
Jim Bolger cheekpieces 8-117 (2016); Fleetfoot, 3.35pm York
1.50pm York: Boiling Point (drawn 3), Bullet Point (7), Skukuza (4), Bowmark (2)
2.05pm Goodwood: Gorak (6), Zoulu Chief (3)
2.25pm York: Tarriance (12), Cape Breton (9), Fantasy World (2), Love Talk (5), Sea Of Kings (6)
2.40pm Goodwood: Incensed (6), Prince Of The Seas (3)
3pm York: Audience (2), Qirat (3), Quinault (5), Maranoa Charlie (4), Seagulls Eleven (1), Exactly (10)
3.35pm York (not much pace): London City (18), Majestic Warrior (17), Queenstown (5)
4.10pm York: We Never Stop (12), Run Boy Run (16), Dark Thirty (8), Super Saiyan (13), Nimitz (19)
Good: Andrew Balding, Karl Burke, Adrian Keatley, Ralph Beckett, William Haggas (very good),, David O’Meara, Hugo Palmer (five recent winners), Mick Appleby, Geoff Oldroyd, Jack Channon, Simon and Ed Crisford, Jim Boyle, Henry De Bromhead (three winners on Friday), Johnny Murtagh (three runners on Thursday; two winners and a short-head second), Heather Main, John and Thady Gosden (York treble on Friday)
Fair: Kevin Ryan, Ed Walker, Aidan O’Brien, Charlie Johnston, Archie Watson, Julie Camacho, Eve Johnson Houghton, Charlie Fellowes, James Fanshawe, Michael Bell, Ian Williams, Harry Charlton, Ed Dunlop, Richard Hannon, Alan King (needs a winner), Ed Bethell, Grant Tuer, Stuart Williams, Willie Mullins, Roger Varian, James Tate, Jim Bolger. Jim Goldie, Michael Dods, Richard Fahey. Michael Herrington, William Knight
Moderate: Richard Spencer, James Ferguson, Harry Eustace, Tom Ward, Christopher Head, Brian Ellison (13-2 winner on Thursday was welcome), Joseph O’Brien (for him)
Don’t know: Amanda Perrett, Billy Aphrahamian, Henrik Engblom
MONDAY MORNING I am not sure I will do any copy on Wednesday’s ITV action,…
MORNING HEADACHE FOR NEWMARKET CLERK – 4.25am Sunday update At the start of yesterday morning,…
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