York Racing Betting Tips
York hosts a Premier meeting on Saturday, when the Group 2 York Stakes (14:40) takes centre stage.
The feature is supplemented by plenty of competitive handicaps, including the ‘Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe’ (15:20) - the novelty race that takes professional jump jockeys out of their comfort zone over a fast five furlongs.
There are seven races in all at York on Saturday and we have selected our best bets.
13:25 - £100K ITV7 Jackpot Today EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes
The well-bred GOLDEN PALACE overcame obvious greenness to make a winning debut at Beverley three weeks ago, quickening up nicely once the penny dropped to win a shade cosily. A 175,000gns half-sister to Group 2 winner Ladies Church, she is open to improvement over this longer trip and has leading claims despite carrying a penalty.
Selection: Golden Palace
14:00 - Dash Handicap
The unexposed POCKLINGTON made a cracking comeback from 311 days off at Newcastle last month, going down by just a short head, and he looks well treated off just 1lb higher. He was a huge eyecatcher on his handicap debut at York's Ebor meeting last year, staying on powerfully in the closing stages to be beaten just three lengths over half a furlong less, and there looks to be more to come.
Selection: Pocklington
14:40 - York Stakes
Ed Walker has bided his time with ALMAQAM and his patience in waiting for ground with a bit of ease can be rewarded. He showed his class when beating subsequent Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner and Eclipse runner-up Ombudsman with something to spare in the Brigadier Gerard when last seen in May and looks destined for Group 1 targets in the near future. He has by far the best Topspeed figure in the field and is at least 6lb clear on adjusted Racing Post Ratings, so everything looks right for him.
Selection: Almaqam
15:20 - 'Jump Jockeys' Nunthorpe' Handicap
The fitting of a tongue-tie has seen a resurgence from FORTUNATE STAR, who should arguably arrive chasing a hat-trick. With the form of his three-length Haydock success franked, he looked sure to go back-to-back last time until his jockey appeared to ride less vigorously for a number of strides near the half furlong marker and was picked up late on. He still looks well handicapped off this 6lb higher mark and should benefit from returning to a bare five furlongs.
Selection: Fortunate Star
15:50 - Handicap
The return to a mile and a half should suit CREATIF, who has appeared not to get home over longer trips the last two outings. He looks potentially well treated, having bumped into the progressive See That Storm, who is now rated 10lb higher, in a 1m2f handicap at Redcar in May before looking to appreciate the extra two furlongs when going down by just a neck off this mark next time. If the cheekpieces help him concentrate, he can continue to progress.
Selection: Creatif
16:25 - Go-Racing-In-Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap
Despite not having won since October 2023, TELE RED must have a chance given his solid record at York, with form figures over a mile or further of 144. That latest effort saw him beaten just half a length last month, when he was the only one who raced prominently to feature in the finish. He’s just 1lb higher here and has Jack Nicholls claiming a valuable 7lb off his back.
Selection: Tele Red
17:00 - Handicap
It was hard not to be drawn to LEVER UP at Hamilton last month, as he travelled better than anything in a first-time visor but was ultimately outstayed by the winner. A drop back in trip looks worth a go on that evidence and this big-field scenario may suit him better, while he looks well drawn in stall one given that five of the last six winners were drawn in single figures.
Selection: Lever Up
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation