York tips for Saturday: Earth Drummer can shake things up in John Smith’s Cup
David Metcalf | July 8, 2016
Earth Drummer each-way value in John Smith’s Cup
Earth Drummer has caught the eye in his last two starts and looks decent each-way value in the valuable John Smith’s Cup on a cracking card at York (16:15).
In the first of those, the David Loughnane trained gelding ran a blinder to finish fifth of 26 to Flash Fire in the Victoria Cup over 7f at Ascot.
After being held-up well off the pace, Earth Drummer was repeatedly hampered when trying to make a move at the two marker before flying home once eventually seeing daylight to be nearest at the finish and beaten just 2 3/4 lengths.
It was a terrific effort given how the race panned out and the six-year-old backed it up with a solid 4 1/4 length 10th of 28 to Portage in the 1m Royal Hunt Cup when again getting hampered at a crucial stage.
Judged on those efforts, the son of Dylan Thomas will appreciate the step back up to 1m 2f, and off a mark just 3lb higher than when last successful looks weighted to run a huge race.
Quest can strike gold in Silver Cup
Quest For More ran an excellent race when runner-up on seasonal reappearance and can go one better to land the Listed 1m 6f John Smith’s Silver Cup (15:40).
The Roger Charlton trained gelding developed into a useful stayer last season, landing the Norhumberland Plate in style before finishing a cracking neck second to Big Orange in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup.
Quest For More was also far from disgraced on his final start of 2015 when ninth of 24 in the Melbourne Cup, and there was lots to like about his comeback run in a Listed contest over course and distance when a 3/4 length runner-up to the progressive Moonrise Landing.
This six-year-old shaped as if needing the outing and only gave way close home, and with that run under his belt should now be spot on to do himself justice.
Outback Traveller the City Walls choice
Outback Traveller looked a smart sprinter in the making when scoring last time out, so can take the step up into Listed company in his stride to land the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes over the flying 5f (16:50).
This gelding was having just his third start for trainer Robert Cowell when landing the ultra-competitive 28-runner Wokingham handicap over 6f at Royal Ascot by a head from Brando.
Outback Traveller travelled supremely well throughout and after showing a good turn of foot to take up the running inside the last found plenty to score a shade cosily.
The runner-up has since come out and landed a Group 3 and the third home Glen Moss has also won since to give the form a rock-solid look.
Given the way in which Outback Traveller tanked along on the bridle for much of the contest, the drop back to the minimum trip should hold no fears and he looks the type that could make up into a Group performer now connections have found his forte.
York tips
13.55: Timeless Flight
14.25: The Cashel Man
15.00: One Word More
15.40: Quest For More (NAP)
16.15: Earth Drummer (E/W)
16.50: Outback Traveller (NB)
17.20: Franca Florio
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