Rory Delargy

YORK SATURDAY

1:55 BETFRED MOBILE STRENSALL STAKES (Group 3) 1M 177Y

2015 winner Mondialiste was back to form with a good second to Success Days here last month, but it’s taking it on trust somewhat to assume he will repeat that given his recent record, and he was the only one of the winner’s rivals who remained within striking distance throughout. Preference is for recent Chelmsford winner Mustashry, who did remarkably well to win a competitive handicap at the Essex track given he had to be dropped in from a disadvantageous draw.

Chelmsford form doesn’t always translate to other venues, but there is enough in Mustashry’s record to show he’s simply a progressive miler who is as effective on turf as he is on polytrack. With jockey and trainer riding on the crest of a wave at present, there appear few obvious negatives.

2:25 BETFRED MELROSE STAKES 1M 5F 188Y

The Melrose has always been a hot contest, but with the chances of a three-year-old making the cut for the Ebor now slimmer than ever, this handicap, over the same course and distance, is more competitive than has ever been the case before.

Last year’s contest went to the unexposed Wall of Fire, and the one who appeals here is also very lightly raced. Northwest Frontier has had just four starts, and has just a maiden win to his name at this point, but he’s shaped very well on both handicap starts, notably so at Thirsk last time, overcoming a positional bias to get within a short head of Uber Cool. He isn’t guaranteed to stay this far on pedigree, but went about his race last time as if well worth a try at further, and he seems certain to progress again on just his third handicap outing.

A draw in stall 18 looks a concern at first glance, but recent Melrose winners Polarisation and Dark Crusader have emerged from similar positions to win, and the supposed draw bias at this trip is massively overplayed.

At a bigger price, and with a very different profile, Look My Way is also worthy of consideration despite languishing out of the weights. Andrew Balding’s son of Derby winner Pour Moi has had plenty of racing, but has been steadily progressive, and posted another career best when third to Rolling Maul at Newmarket last time. That was a meritorious effort over two miles and against seasoned stayers, so he’s not to be taken lightly back among his contemporaries now.

3:00 AL BASTI EQUIWORLD GIMCRACK STAKES (Group 2) 6F

Headway looks just about the pick in the Gimcrack, and it’s very easy indeed to forgive his effort in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood when the draw heavily favoured those who raced on the far side of the track. Headway raced on his own on the other flank and had no chance at all in retrospect. He was behind both Nebo and Cardsharp at Goodwood but is expected to reverse form with the draw likely to have much less effect here.

Nebo is still feared most for all he was better positioned than some of his rivals in the Richmond, and he’s run to a solid level on the clock on all his starts.

3:35 BETFRED EBOR 1M 5F 188Y

I won’t dwell on the Ebor only to repeat my comments from last week’s issue where I put up Seamour as a selection.

The six-year-old gelding is as good as ever, but seems to have been deserted by his fans, who were once legion, judging by the ante-post market.

4:10 JULIA GRAVES ROSES STAKES (Listed) 5F

Bengali Boys appears to have the best of the draw here based on events earlier in the week, but I’m not inclined to take his Super Sprint win at face value, at least away from testing ground. The going at Newbury was swamp-like when he spreadeagled his field, and while he might be just as good on quicker ground now he’s found his form, my instinct is to oppose him until he can prove that.

Elizabeth Darcy is respected having shown her Windsor Castle sixth to be a poor indication of her merit, although it’s a minor niggle that the talented David Egan must forego his 5lb claim in this listed race.

In the end, the vote goes to To Wafij, who has improved with each outing to date, finishing an excellent third in the Molecomb at Goodwood last time. He was doing his best work late there, and it’s possible a step up in trip will help, but I’m of the opinion that the flatter track at York will be equally beneficial, and Roger Varian’s likeable colt can go close.

4:40 BETFRED SUPPORTS JACK BERRY HOUSE HANDICAP 1M 2F 56Y

UAE Prince showed his ability to handle York when fourth to Ballet Concerto in the John Smith’s Cup over this trip, and he made it three excellent efforts from three handicap starts this season when fourth in a messy race at Goodwood at the start of the month, forced to weave his way through traffic, and looking better than the bare result.

Given he’s looked an improved performer this term, it has to be said that he’s been fairly dealt with by the handicapper, only 4lb higher than when winning eaily at Ripon on his seasonal reappearance. He’s still low-mileage compared to most of his rivals, and the experience he’s gained in ultra-competitive races the last twice can only aid his development.

Baydar was notably unlucky in the same Goodwood handicap in which UAE Prince was fourth, and despite having excuses for his efforts this season, he’s slipped to within 1lb of his last winning mark, that being a defeat of Scarlet Dragon, who happened to win this contest a year ago. Hugo Palmer’s colt wears cheekpieces for the first time, and merits a saver, at least.

RECOMMENDED

NORTHWEST FRONTIER 2.25 York – 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (BetVictor)

SEAMOUR 3.35 York – 1pt e/w @ 25/1 (Hills)

UAE PRINCE 4.40 York – 1pt win @