5:25 York Tips

Doesn't win often but is 11lb now lower than last winning mark and did catch the eye last time when travelling really well but getting denied a clear run on more than one occasion. Wasn't knocked about and as is a one time Listed placed second over C&D on only start here should have enough room to operate on the galloping track. Has been well backed on last couple of efforts and looks ready to strike in a competitive but winnable race. Probably found Haydock sharp enough last time and is a confident pick here with yard in fair form too. Must go close.

The selection is a massive seventeen pounds lower than when last winning. Ran a cracker to finish 3rd at Ayr last time out. Likes fast ground.

Rock Opera is in stall 5 and arrives in good nick after a string of solid runs, including when beaten just over 2 lengths at Haydock 7 days ago. He has placed on all four starts over this course and distance without winning, so clearly loves it here. His mark of 78 is fair based on recent efforts and he remains competitively handicapped. Tactically he is usually held up which suits what I expect to be a strong pace here and the draw is ideal for waiting in behind. Trained by Richard Fahey with Warren Fentiman claiming 5lb, he has a win rate of 11% and place rate of 33%. With everything in his favour, he rates a solid each-way chance today

Fiscal Policy bombed at Chelmsford a couple of starts ago but bounced back to something like his 'normal' form last time out. Perhaps it was the surface at Chelmsford? In any case, with a few places on offer here, he looks like a solid each-way punt.

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Backing Ingleby Archie, the progressive 4-year-old James Garfield gelding trained by Adrian Nicholls, in tomorrow’s John Smith’s Sprint Handicap (6f, Class 4). He arrives in peak form after consecutive wins at Beverley (5f) and York (6f) this spring, both achieved in competitive fields off double-figure odds??'an impressive return to form. His latest outing at Doncaster on June 28 saw him finish a solid third of nine over 6f off a mark of 80, showing he remains in top condition. A York specialist with a win and placed run at the Knavesmire this summer, he handles the track’s pace and layout ideally. Rated 79 and drawn to benefit from a strong gallop, he should settle just off the early leaders and unleash a powerful late run. With his proven York ability and current three-timer challenge underway, he brings solid each-way appeal.

Filly One is a 4-year-old filly trained by Geoff Oldroyd and owned by Bond Thoroughbred Limited. She bolted up at Southwell under today's jockey, J P McDonald, and has been raised 14 lb. But beware, the filly is in form. She's out of a dam also trained by Geoff Oldroyd, and she won 8 out of 41 races, 6 on AW at Wolverhampton and twice on turf on today's good to firm ground, all over 5/6f. Owners Bond Thoroughbred Limited have had 22 wins with Oldroyd and show a healthy LSP of £85.31. J P McDonald is 5/30 wins for the owner, showing an £18.41 profit. J P is also 16/122 wins when riding for Geoff Oldroyd, showing an incredible £130.90 profit. This Filly One has to be respected particularly as she comes here in form and remains unexposed on turf with just the one start.

Beaten favorite last time out under 3 lbs claimer Connor Planas. 8-day turnaround, same class race here. Jockey is 3 from 11 in the last 14 days, and this stiff 6F should help as it seems better over 5F.

All 4 career wins have been over this trip, three of those last year. Raced over 7 furlongs at Newbury last month when weakening inside the final half a furlong and should appreciate this drop in trip.

I backed this LTO and a 4lb rise here for that win still puts it in the ballpark. It's hard to tell sometimes with this trainer, and I would be more confident if Allen was on top. But if ridden like the last race, IMO, it can make all again.

Yet to win this season and has been somewhat inconsistent but has posted some decent efforts along the way. Has slipped to below his last winning mark now so would be no surprise to see him run well.

A very impressive winner over 5f at Carlisle on race debut back in the summer of 2023, beating a very useful sprinter that day. Not so good since, though lightly raced, but has not been beaten far the last twice, including a 2 lengths defeat in a fast-run race on seasonal return at Newcastle back in January. May need this run but has untapped potential, particularly over 6f, dropped in class, so could be an each-way player today.

A very tricky sprint handicap where Kings Merchant looks like he has been kept fresh for this. He has dropped in the handicap, and some of his form reads well in these types of races. He wasn't beaten far when 5th in the Ayr Silver Cup off a higher mark at the end of last season. He looks well drawn in the centre.