3:00 York Tips

Previous course winner and won well last time. Has previously won on top of the ground also, so looks a strong fancy for this.

Azure Angel is a 5-year-old mare trained by Edward Bethell. She has 5 wins out of 24 starts, having won four for ex-trainer Roger Varian. Edward seems to have unearthed some improvement in Azure Angel, having finished 2-1 at Redcar in her last two starts, posting a career-high RPR of 100 in that win at Redcar and showing a lot of early speed. She is unexposed at this 5f trip, so there could be more to come. Beware the mare in form, and she should be fighting it out under Callum Rodriguez come race end.

Jm Jungle will likely win this doing handstands but I still think REGAL ENVOY is the best value at 13/2. The gelding by Ardad is in search of his fourth win this season already from 5 starts; the first of those coming at HQ in April before finishing 1/2l 2nd at Windsor when upped to 6f. His next two outings were also at Windsor, this time back over the minimum trip which looks more his bag and you’ve got to think that a 4lb rise in the handicap won’t be enough to stop another positive run today. Breeder Coseda Ltd’s 31% SR (A/E 1.78) with Ardad offspring provides further confidence.

The 5-year-old wasn’t great in Bahrain over the winter, but much better in his two UK returns recently. He was 2nd of 14 three weeks ago, beaten just a neck - good RPR rating. Three solid runs this time last year while rated around 7lb higher.

Venture Capital has been in and out but the booking of Ryan Moore last time was a signal of intent. However, the horse just didn't pick up and the wind surgery is interesting as a result. Good bet.

Has gone well in both starts at York. First, missing the start when the hood was removed late but running really well to finish 3rd in the Listed City Walls Stakes, and then finishing 4th in a quick ground C&D handicap last August. Was 1L behind JM Jungle that day but 15lbs better off with that rival here, and in a smallish field, he might be able to dominate from his high draw. His three runs this year have been middling but have seen him drop to a mark of 102, and I fancy he can bounce back at this track and with conditions to suit.