Thursday’s racing has far too many juvenile races for my liking to ponder a serious bet and Haydock, while a three-day card in wait looks a good one, today is just to watch as the fixture is overloaded with novices and maidens. Indeed, one Twitter tipster I saw this morning has said steam into a 7/4 newcomer that won’t be beaten. That sort of rubbish, and let’s face it, it is nonsense, should be left well alone as no one knows.

Shipbourne at Salisbury in the 17:24 almost was a bet, but I wanted it proper soft as he scooted home in testing conditions last winter at Newbury and I am put off by the good in the going and no rain was forecast as of this morning.

Back tomorrow.

17:50Hamilton

1m5f (1m5f16y) Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap (Class 5) (3yo+ 0-70)

Classy Clarets was one of the easiest trades ever on Monday with an all-the-way speedy win and such was his pace, the trade could have been pulled off inside the first couple of furlongs.

Wednesday’s 17:50 at Hamilton will not be as fleet of foot with the 1m5f in slow ground but Ebony Maw is a stayer who is best when leading and she made all to win at Ayr in July over 1m5f and is big enough on the win part of the exchange to play here.

Floating around the 10.00 and 11.00 prices this morning on the Exchange, I can only see Kindly Queen as a potential speed rival, and while Clocker is the favourite and one who can race up there, the trip is a little bit further than what he is used to.

Ebony Maw is a stayer all day and so the plan for a green book here is back at 10.00 for £11 and set up the lay and place in keep bets to leave up for £15 at 7.00 in-running which gives us £4.00 profit on every other runner in the field if Ebony Maw goes to 7.00 in-play, and if he wins, it’s £9.00.

For those that saw Venetian Star put up as the bet yesterday at a price of 16/1 three places and 12s elsewhere, he was sent off 7/2 pre-race, and that would have been absolute manna from heaven as a trade and making a profit without a race even run!

In-play he hit 2.1.

Hamilton - 19:50: Back Uncle Liam 9/2

It’s the usual Jim Goldie show at Hamilton and the finale 19:50 over 1m3f has three of the eight.

They are all lowly-rated and Goldie’s seemingly number one Annandale in the race was strong enough this morning on Wednesday into 9/4.

However, it is soft and light rain and hopefully more towards the evening and conditions look ideal for Uncle Liam, who is a much bigger price.

He scraped home to win at the track over 1m4f in June, and while the going was given as good, the times were indicating softer and he had the strong pace to chase in that by tracking a feisty Hijo De Luna.

The second, third, fifth and sixth all came from further back and he really dug in to score by a short head. It was only a mark of 50 but stamina was evident.

Last time the drop to 1m2f at Ayr wouldn’t have done him any favours, neither the steady pace as the winner finished off at 105%, plus on good ground, he wasn’t quite quick enough.

Last year he made the running in heavy going to finish second at Ayr over 1m and he doesn’t appear to want to be help up in races as can often be a little keen and the favourite Annandale is usually one to be held up.

Wednesday’s Bets

Back Uncle Liam in the 19:50 at Hamilton 9/2

Gowran Park 15:30: Back Venetian Star three places EW 16/1

Both Ladbrokes and Coral are 16/1 but with three places not four, with Betfair 12/1 with the four places with our selection on Tuesday.

Venetian Star has warmed up a little, as front-runners enjoy something of a good time at Gowran Park, and with form with cut in the ground and stall one, I am not surprised he was cut from his bigger price, and I won’t be surprised if he gets latched onto purely on him being a front-runner.

He has been poor in his last two starts, but on soft to heavy at Limerick he ran really well to finish second to hot favourite and Johnny Murtagh’s Zenford earlier in the season, who has acquitted himself well in since in a stronger race off 83 at Leopardstown and the fourth from the same race has won since.

Key though is Venetian Star as a front-runner and the draw gods could hardly have been kinder as that first little dog leg bend over 7f right-handed comes up pretty sharply.

Tuesday’s Bets

Gowran 15:30 - Back Venetian Star 0.5pt EW three places 16/1 Ladbrokes and Coral

The trading horse last week Ella’s Gold was a prime example to trading a race where you don’t need to find a winner, just the trade ie back high, lay low for a small profit.

A good example for the trading back to lay comes at Southwell today for a 6f Handicap at 17:00, and initially I was interested in Baba Reza as a potential bet but he has taken a big walk in the betting this morning and I’m put off.

He potentially could lead as he’s a keen-going type and he’s 16.5 on the Betfair Exchange, and Thunderous Love at 8.00 is another who could kick on.

However, the trading horse to play as a front-runner with speed is Classy Clarets.

Like Baba Reza he is often one to over-race a bit with the choke out but he’s found his form this season with as string of wins and comes into this race with form figures of 11112.

At 7.6 on the Exchange to back which for a keen-goer that should lead in-form gives us a good platform.

I like to show the graphic for the workings, so here is an easy “back high and get out lower” bet hopefully with the £22 to back at 7.8 and with a fast start and from stall six, it can see horses tack across from the middle draws at Southwell into that first bend, and the lay off at 5.00 for £22 gives £41.00 win on Classy Clarets, but if he loses, we get £5.00 on every single other horse regardless of the result.

The Ripon Rowels at 15:40 is an excellent race for a Monday and a Class 2 0-100, but there wasn’t a bet there for me unfortunately nor the Champion 2yo Trophy at the track, but I don’t often back juveniles.

It looks as though the field sizes will be strong at Gowran Park tomorrow so hopefully we can dig out a bet there.

ADV: +11.20 (last week-2.00)

ISP: +7.80 (last week -2.5)

BSP: +11.65 (last week -2.0)

TOTAL P AND L since September 2025 Substack launch (R4 Gallus Norman inc)

ADV: +67.00

ISP: +48.15

BSP: +149.23

P and L for 2025

ADV +51.89

ISP +29.54

BSP +65.71

P and L for 2026 (R4 with Gallus Norman included)

ADV +8.11

ISP +11.61

BSP +76.42

Weekly betting report:

Gallus Norman got the week up and running in perfect style with a fine galloping performance to win at an advised 12/1, although the 25p R4 dented the returns. The BSP paid back a decent 15.32 and 3.93 win and place.

Picking a Jim Goldie winner out with four runners from the stable can feel like unearthing truffles. While he had previously made the running, Goldie did say afterwards he was a really strong galloper and wanted a good pace - luckily a Goldie horse provided that!

He is a tricky yard to read, and the prices can sometimes be way out and the markets all over the place with his multiple runners. For once the hunch paid off.

It was one Mason sprinter too far at Ffos Las but I suspect not leading in a small field and not having a draw on the rail ruined the chance there, but Forever Glamorous didn’t run very well.

Saturday’s bets pleased me at big odds. While not winning both Playin Cool (advised at 33/1) and Gerrit’s Gem (advised at 25/1) both got places and the former travelled very well if a little away from those drawn in the top spot on the rail at Curragh.

Pleased with the profit this week and while the advised bets for the year needs a fair bit of work on, we now go to +76.42 points for the past eight months on the Betfair Sp, which means since the column launched it takes us to nearly 150 points on Betfair Sp.

And for those that follow the trading races, both Havana Touch and Quick Quasar failed to lead despite being confirmed front-runners, but Havana Touch traded at 2/1 from the near 4/1 price mentioned.

Ella’s Gold was an interesting trade at Navan too. A pre-race big price and a BSP pre-race of 13.5, but hit a low of 3.00 in-running despite never really leading convincingly and it was more to do with her running so well up with the pace for such a long time to finish fourth.

Thanks for reading this week as always!

Curragh 16:15: Back Playin Cool EW five places 33/1

Five places on offer for the Irish Cambridgeshire with most firms, and while half are going 25/1, many are 33s and Playin Cool is a horse who does come with a risk attached from last time.

He ran in the Nasrullah Handicap at Leopardstown over 1m but finished last of 11 and had a problem with post-race recovery from the vet report.

Obviously we take it on trust the horse is fine and the trainer must feel those exertions are not an issue by having the declaration.

Beforehand, his third to Pierre Royal in a CD Premier Handicap previously was a fine effort.

He came from a similar position and slightly further back to the winner and wasn’t as smooth in travelling into the straight as Pierre Royal was, but stayed on well on good going.

Playin Cool did win a race on soft at Leopardstown over slightly shorter earlier in the season and maybe the potential for rain might help his cause.

At the prices considering he was third to Pierre Royal, the market has the two at 9/2 and 33/1.

6f Holden Plant Rentals Apprentice Handicap

Curragh 16:50: Back Gerrit’s Gem EW five places 25/1

A couple of firms are standout 25s for Gerrit’s Gem and the field sizes on offer in Ireland today have drawn me in to having a pop at some chunky odds.

Gerrit’s Gem was a mover on the Betfair Sportsbook into 20/1 from 30/1 but again, we have five places.

The six-year-old was rated 84 at the start of the season and hasn’t fired at all running over 5f, 6f and 7f.

He did win a race in soft last term and finished second over CD in a Curragh Handicap in soft and heavy, so we are banking a bit here on the weather changing and the rain forecast doing its job.

His second to Unique Journey in soft over CD last term off 80 was stall 4.

A run in a Premier Handicap at the start of the season means he is dropping down the weights and this looks a lot easier than some of the contests and he has a chance finally from a dropping mark 73.

I must stress rain will be a big help.

Saturday’s Bets

Back Playin Cool 0.5pt EW five places in the 16:15 at Curragh 33/1

Back Gerrits Gem 0.5pt EW five places in the 16:50 at Curragh 25/1

Ffos Las 14:00: Back Forever Glamorous 15/8

It’s not exactly a surprise that some rain has been predicted to hit Ffos Las today, and equally unsurprising that I am picking a Chris Mason sprinter again.

Forever Glamorous was 2/1 yesterday and 15/8 this morning, and I always like to see the Mason runners quite solid and strong in the market. So he’s holding up well.

His chances are pretty obvious as he goes well at the track and scored here at the end of June over CD when the going was good (good to firm in places).

I thought he won quite comfortably as was perhaps worth a few more pounds for not bursting out as quick as usual and didn’t lead on leaving the stalls, but he made up for it when taking over at the 4f marker, and for good measure had company from Magnificent Mel, who troubled him for the lead.

Last time out he ran over 6f at Windsor, a tricky track and world’s away from the wide open expanses of Ffos Las, and while he gets the 6f, he’s a better horse at 5f for me as he can go quick and hard early - he ran a pair of 10.7 second sectionals winning at Ffos and back to 5f will suit perfectly.

Friday’s Bets

Back Forever Glamorous 15/8 in the 14:00 at Ffos Las

Yesterday’s trade with Arry Up presented a different sort of problem as when posting the price he was 5.00 and pre-race and five minutes or so before the off he was around 9/4 and 3/1.

If you backed at 5.0 on the Exchange you could have laid off at 3.5 pre race no problems for the free bet, although Arry Up didn’t actually lead and sat in third but before the straight his price as you can see on the graphic was more nearer 6/4 and the 2.56 for £6 on the right is where we need to be looking to get you stake back.

Again, a few members who subscribed and asked about this, and all we want is to back high and trade off low.

NAVAN TRADE

Thursday’s trade is how to engineer, and it’s not always easy, a bet to make a profit on every runner in the field.

Ella’s Gold, a three-year-old filly, runs in the 16:15 over 1m and she does stay a little further with form at 1m1f.

Indeed, the 1m1f Handicap at Leopardstown facing 16 rivals saw her lead and fastest out of the blocks from a standing start.

Now trading at 12.00 on the Exchange on Thursday morning, she is a free-goer and is drawn low and well enough to get out early.

The higher the price obviously gives more leeway, so here we back at 12.00 and lay off for the same stake gives us the free bet below by laying back 9.00 at the same stake of £11.

However, I think we can do better and the high price at 12.00 for a front-runner with form over the trip and a little further, this is where we can try and get that green book for a profit on every runner. Regardless of the result.

The 12.00 price gives a lot of leeway so we back £11 at 12.00 and the plan is to lay back at 9.00 in running (or even pre-race) but we lay for slightly more than the stake, and here in the graphic it’s £15.

Now this is a simple take high and get out low bet, but as you can see from the final graphic, and if we get matched at laying at 9.00 in-running or pre-race, we have a book where Ella’s Gold winning gives us £1 profit. Okay, not exactly Great Gatsby wealth, but the angle here is we’ve got a book to make £4.00 on every single other runner in the race and if matched at both back and lay prices, we don’t lose.

And with the £4.00 on every runner, you’ve got 16 runners for you against one.

Now that is the thinking and an outline, and this of course can translate to any sport with the same principles ,but racing is quicker, although not perhaps as volatile as the cricket T20 markets.

I’ve been asked by new members to outline the way to trade and there and many options to play a race.

Navan 15:44: Back Good Man Jack 7/1

No more than a half point bet today and Navan potentially could be changing in terms of going with rain forecast, although my own forecast app has been most unreliable of late with predictions way out.

Good Man Jack has the potential to drift but this looks a race full of very limited performers and we’re taking a chance on Good Man Jack’s slightly better run at Galway last time out.

That was a handicap debut at the Ballybritt festival and while the runs previously were underwhelming over a variety of trips including 1m2f and 1m4f races, a bit of softer going and the 1m brought out a better run.

Indeed, Timeform rated the ground that day at Galway as soft on times rather than the official good to soft, and the finishing speed indicated a thorough test at 93%.

Firstly he had a horror draw out wide and did well to get near to midfield, but he did a lot of his racing out wide and that is never ideal at Galway as you use too much energy.

At 4f he looked to be travelling quite well, and one of the better ones, but that devilish run for home meant he had to be pushed after, but to his credit he did stay on and there was enough in the run to suggest a weak race off his mark could be within reach.

The draw today isn’t too bad, and the 7s isn’t too much of an each-way price considering the size of the field, but I thought he was worth taking a chance on to win in a weak race and he’s a three-year-old unexposed as a handicapper.

Thursday’s Bets

Back Good Man Jack in the 15:44 at Navan 0.5pt 7/1

Kempton 20:21 6f Handicap

A couple of messages have asked me to explain the back to lay and trading, and while I appreciate it isn’t for everyone, I still think there are elements to the Exchange that can help chisel a small profit on a race.

For example we’ll look at the Kempton 20:21 and a chance to make a “free bet”.

I’ve identified two likely front-runners in Aigeas in stall 7 and Arry Up in stall 3.

Stall 3 is obviously the better option and Arry Up is slightly shorter on the Exchange, or was this morning at 5.00, with Aigeas around 9.5.

We could trade both, but I will keep this simple. Arry Up won last time over 5f and was one of the quickest from a standing start and fastest at the 2f market. He also has made the running at Kempton previously winning over 6f in April - and was drawn in stall three that day.

On the graphic below, and playing from an Exchange price of 5.00, with his speed, he really should trade at least to 3.9 and 4.0 early, but going with a conservative 4.6 we can set up up the trade in the keep bets facility before the race.

I have gone 4.6, as more people will be looking for the 4.5, as that what it was in the old days.

So here we have our trade set backing at 5.00 and laying at 4.6 for the same £11 stake, and this can all be set up before the race.

The plan is for the front runner from a good draw to get out and I often see front-runners lose about three or four points after a furlong and a half.

After 2f of tonight’s race, he ought to trade a point at least shorter, and with our 4.6 lay, we get matched with the £11 and that gives us a free bet. If Arry Up wins, we take £4.40, and if Arry Up loses and gets beat, we have a green book on every other runner (as seen in the graphic below).

There are ways to make a profit on each and every runner, and the messages I have got on the trading, one has specifically asked about this again.

Once more, I realise, like me, we were doing trading at the height of Betfair many years ago and many things have changed for the worse, and I appreciate again this section is not for everyone.

But new members, new to betting, new to trading, this is an avenue that I am happy explain and later in the week if the races are suitable, I’ll go into detail about lay to backs, hold up smooth travellers (always a great trading fav) and laying the field.

Any other questions, do send over, and as always thanks for the feedback!

We’ll take a 14/1 winner and the BSP has been adjusted from the initial 21 for the race now to 15.93 taking into account the R4.

Finding another winner for Wednesday proved beyond me, however.

Much like Monday where even looking at the results afterwards, I wouldn’t have picked out anything (even Darkened Edge’s second had a withdrawn favourite), and the same goes for Wednesday with too many juvenile races at Newbury to consider a bet and Kempton, a track I don’t mind having a punt, didn’t have anything that stood out.

Lingfield 14:30 - Havana Touch

For both victories at Kempton, Havana Touch has set off like a bullet and scored in April from a mark of 62 over 1m, and once again at Kempton over the same distance netted another win last time out.

The latest win in June he burst out and was one of only two from a standing stalls start to break 15 seconds.

He has some previous at Lingfield as he raced over 7f here in April.

It is fairly small margins with him but he was 4.7 exchange price on Tuesday morning around 945am and those drawn around him in 1,2, and 3 are Thapa VC (hold up), Dannick (mid division) and Ernie’s Vanlentine (held up rear type), but a fast start presents a pretty easy trade if Havana Touch is his usual quick self.

Lingfield 16:00 - Quick Quasar

Quick Quasar, a front runner in stall one over 7f at Lingfield was 8.4 this morning at 950 am for £11 to be matched and with an excellent draw and two non-runners, he only has stall 2 early to contend with.

He usually starts at massive price as his two recent runs he’s been 27 BSP on both occasions and certainly doesn’t look like a winner waiting to be happen as his mark looks too high.

But a double-figure price almost from a low draw and a front-runner, should give a decent back to lay.

Musselburgh 15:45 - Back Gallus Norman EW four places 12/1

I’m going up very early for Tuesday’s bet as with four Jim Goldie runners in the 15:45 Musselburgh 15:45, anything could happen.

Sky Bet and Paddy Power were the two firms going 12s instead of 10/1, which is another reason to post earlier than usual.

It doesn’t help matters to as all four of Goldie’s arrows in his Scottish quiver have made the runnig.

Gallus Norman won at Musselburgh back in May on good ground in an amateurs race under Eireann Cagney (a shame a rider called Lacey wasn’t in it) and the key was him settling a whole lot better under positive tactics.

He won in soft ground at Ayr in June from a mark of 62, again another front-running ride, on that occasion under Paul Mulrennan. The pace wasn’t as steady compared to his Musselburgh victory as the finishing speeds were 106% and 115%, but he looked a galloper, if with a quite high action.

I am going to take a chance on the going as light rain is forecast and after all, his win at the track under Cagney earlier in the season was on good going and he powered on at the end.

It will be interesting to see if Cascade Hall, Furhaan and Trojan Sun all sit up there too for the stable, as under Goldie’s aegis, they all have made it too.

Tuesday’s Bets

Back Gallus Norman in the 15:45 at Musselburgh 0.5pt EW four places 12/1

The Tony Carroll horse Just Jump continues to be attract a lot of support into 13/8 and it’s enough for me to leave the race alone, and indeed the day!

WEEKLY P AND L

ADV: -2.00 (last week+4.00)

ISP: -2.5 (last week +2.25)

BSP: -2.00 (last week +5.50)

TOTAL P AND L since September 2025 Substack launch

ADV: +55.80

ISP: +40.35

BSP: +137.58

P and L for 2025

ADV +51.89

ISP +29.54

BSP +65.71

P and L for 2026

ADV -3.09

ISP +3.81

BSP +64.77

Weekly betting report:

The ground at York was a bit of a mystery all week. We kept being told the ground was soft on Wednesday yet times were telling it was good. Thursday however on times was soft, and that done for Star Of State who ran a great race in the Lowther, but Johanna Walsh hated the going.

Then we had the draw on the straight track which blew out high numbers completely on the first day, but I thought it was being evened out come Saturday, and that’s the problem with these big meetings playing against the bias as it can change later in the week due to changes with watering and whatever goes on.

Jagged Edge was the one bright spot and not a disastrous week, although the bitter pill of the final Saturday selection getting walloped by a previous Substack tip that had finished second for the column and Vanir ran about as well as a celebrity waxwork.

The other run to note was was Eagle Fang. I tipped and backed overnight at 6/1, yet was 4/1 in the morning and was 9/4 at one stage and ran a shocker of a race, so whatever was moving his price, they too were wrong like me.

The York races are tough, very tough, and perhaps moving forward I might try and focus away from the marquee televised meetings, which is why I often leave Cheltenham alone. Food for thought.

And I must not back anymore John Quinn drifters at York, as that’s the second one this season and they have both ran appallingly.

Curragh 16:00: Back Vanir 6/1

Some light rain is forecast today in the Ireland and away from York’s grandest of all afternoons, a really good set of races at the Curragh leads me to one bet today, and a drifter too.

Vanir for Johnny Murtagh was one I checked last night, but she’s gone out to 6/1 now.

Back up to 1m4f is going to suit her as she looked a little short of speed ran trying 1m2f last time out at the track. That was her handicap debut on 85 facing quicker ground, but the injection of speed turned it into a a dash and she was also a little unlucky as the horse who eventually finished last Noble Honour, dropped away quickly and got in her way.

That was the race that we had the second in Yousaynothingatall, who finished second that day and is favourite here at half of Vanir’s price, but she travelled much better making ground on the outside than Vanir, who just before the turn was inside under pressure being pushed, while Yousaynothingatall looked to have more speed.

Her Maiden win over 1m4f at Fairyhouse saw her squeeze in between a pair of horses late on, again taking quite a while to get going off a steady pace, and she looks she though a strong gallop could suit her even better.

Lightly-raced with a just four starts I cannot help but feel her ability to stay 1m4f looks stronger than Yousaynothingatall’s.

Saturday’s Bets

Back Vanir in the 16:00 at the Curragh 6/1

Killarney 18:20: Back Jagged Edge 4/1

As flagged up in my notebook horses from Galway here below, Jagged Edge runs in one of the features at Killarney on Friday night.

His run in the BMW Mile when third off 102 gives a strong indication he will be able to cut it at Listed level, as the older horses and fellow four-year-olds look beatable despite their ratings in this 18:20.

Hardy Warrior for Joseph O’Brien heads the betting at 7/4 and has got winning form in heavy and hasn’t added to a small field win in the spring. Whether he needs it heavy we will find out, but it is worth floating the idea as a fav at that price.

Jagged Edge appeals far more at 4/1 as the 7f as outlined in my notebook piece was a complete write off with the trip.

His last two runs have been with cut in the ground, and even his superb win at Naas in April from 93 was on good (but times suggested good to soft), which was fairly similar to his win last term in the Irish Cambridgeshire.

In fact, I’d have him a little shorter than 4s.

Killarney - 19:20: Back Eagle Fang 6/1

Another excellent handicap to look forward at 19:20 in the Kellihers Toyota Kingdom Gold Cup Handicap over 1m6f and Eagle Fang looks to have a big chance back at a track he has scored at.

He won a QR Race over CD on good ground in mid-July, and the amateur on board mastered Derek O’Connor at the end which was one for her scrapbook.

The going seemed to really suit him as he looked to have a skippy action, if looking a little tricky perhaps, but a gap of 6L to third highlighted his superior performance and the runner-up Sunny South West is a 119-rated hurdler, although Eagle Fang is rated 145 over the obstacles.

Eagle Fang ran next time and his latest run at Galway in another QR race and ran a fine fourth as I didn’t think he looked in love with the ground.

He was on the inside which can either be “do or die” at Galway into the turn as behind horses you cannot get out and wide you’ve barely got a chance.

Eagle Fang looked outpaced too running downhill just before the turn and responded and was also a little short of racing room at the end. Considering he has stayed 3m over hurdles and holds that 145 rating in that sphere, that was a remarkable run at Galway to finish so close at that sort of track.

Killarney isn’t exactly a stiff track but the decent going will suit him and we know he stays well, plus he steps out of that QR stuff with Chris Hayes taking over.

Back on a sounder surface off a mark of 92, that still rates as interesting in relation to his hurdles’ figure.

Friday’s Bets

Back Jagged Edge in the 18:20 at Killarney 4/1

Back Eagle Fang in the 19:20 at Killarney 6/1

York 13:50: Back Star Of State 5/2

The straight track draw bias was laid bare again yesterday and the risk on taking a chance on Dark Thirty backfired.

Hopefully no dramas with Star Of State in stall six over the far side for a 19-runner Lowther.

She made her debut at the beginning of July with a second to Livenka at Fairyhouse, a race that looks better with Livenka since winning a valuable juvenile race.

But the wow factor came next up just eight days later blowing away a field at Leopardstown with an aggressive display from the front to win by 9L, in a canter, a blitzing final furlong to boot.

Joseph O’Brien, so blessed with young fillies this season mentioned could be even better with something to run at, but there is speed there and sticking at 6f today with a good draw (it seems) means I want to play pretty safe at the top of the market despite such a big field.

York 15:35: Back Johanna Walsh 4/1

It could be a fine day for young Joseph, and he’s also got an excellent chance with a filly at Leopardstown, but his Irish Oaks winner Johanna Walsh at 4/1 is the second bet of the day.

She tackled Kalpana, a top level winner, but Kalpana has to give a Classic winner and younger horse 9lbs, the same for Minnie Hauk, who hasn’t looked the same filly at all this season.

Johanna Walsh has really found her feet this term and on pedigree little surprise she has improved greatly upped to 1m4f.

It was completely effortless, very straightforward too and relaxed well.

She made the running at Royal Ascot and almost nicked the race from the stronger stayer Earth Shot, but the Irish Oaks was all the more controlled and she had a better turn of foot at the end of the race.

That speed could transfer well here to York and with Minnie Hauk nowhere near her form at the same price, I make it one to beat on the market and with 9lb has got to be the bet at 4s.

Thursday’s Bets

Back Star Of State in the 13:50 at York 5/2

Back Johanna Walsh in the 15:35 at York 4/1