1:55 York Tips

Archivist looks well ahead of the handicapper. He is another ex-Michael Stoute horse who seems to have improved for the switch to a new trainer, and William Haggas has been the beneficiary of a couple of them.

Cadarn is a 4-year-old gelding trained by George Boughey. He is attempting to make a hat-trick of wins today off top weight and upset odds-on favorite Archivist, trained by William Haggas. To me, Archivist, who makes his handicap debut off what seems a stiff-looking 90, may be a tad ungenuine in a battle, having finished bridesmaid on four occasions, albeit he did win his last race easily. I watched all William Haggas's horses yesterday, seven of them, and something didn't feel right with the overall performances. On the other hand, Cadarn seems to be as tough as boots and can outpoint Archivist in the last few yards.

Stanage was a Juddmonte reject last November despite winning his last race, a Chelmsford maiden in October, comfortably over 7f. He also won first time out at Doncaster this season over 7f off a mark of 84. He stays up to a mile and has drifted back to his last winning mark of 84, and Shane Gray takes over from Joanna Mason for the first time.

Shamrock Bay is unexposed and looks pretty attractive in this field at a very attractive price, feels like there is still more to come here.

Nordic Norm makes his handicap debut of just 86 and that looks favourable based on his first two runs when beating Warrant Holder and just going down to Rahiebb next time.

Backing Capital Guarantee, the 5-year-old Lope De Vega gelding trained by David O’Meara, in tomorrow’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Mile Handicap over 1m 192y at York. He arrives in cracking order after an impressive easy win at Thirsk on 22 May off a similar mark, showing he’s one of those horses who thrives returning from a break??'as that was only his third race since wind surgery and he’s been progressive ever since. His York run on 14 June (in the Macmillan Handicap) was respectable??'a fifth of 16 over 1m 177y on good-to-soft ground, suggesting he handles this track and trip well. Rated around 85, he’s operating on a nice curve??'falling in the ratings after some lesser turf efforts last summer, but now rock-solid based on his recent form. O’Meara’s horses do well fresh, and with Daniel Tudhope booked (he partnered him to his Catterick win last month), expect a forward ride from a handy draw??'tracking early pace before delivering a well-timed late run.