Find out who Luke thinks has a chance at York and who he fancies for the July Cup on Saturday
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It is one of the busiest and best Saturday’s of the whole year and while the July Cup might be happening just down the road from me, I’ll be heading up to York for John Smith’s Cup day.
I’ll certainly be trying to watch the July Cup if I can and I really think Magical Memory will win. Things really didn’t go his way at Royal Ascot last time and he still ran well and wasn’t beaten far. He was sluggish away and then had to be taken back before making up loads of ground at not the ideal time.
I think the better ground at Newmarket will suit him and he looked really good on his first two starts this season. He’s also drawn nicely so I expect him to win.
I hope I can grab a winner or two on Saturday and I’ve got a sprinter I think a lot of to look forward to myself at York.
1.55 York – Inlawed
I don’t know too much about him but his half-brother Outlawed raced for the same connections and was pretty smart. York maidens are never easy so he must have been showing enough at home to start off in a nice race like this.
2.25 York – Two Jabs
I’ve ridden this horse once before and I won on him so hopefully I can repeat that today. He looks a bit like the handicapper has him where he wants him. Having said that, the step up in trip to two miles might help find that little bit of improvement to get his head in front again.
3.00 York – Celestial Path
He was a high-class two-year-old and three-year-old but he’s lost his way a little bit. We’ve been working him in cheek pieces at home and he’s worked the best he has in a long time. We’ve not been handed a great draw in stall 17, but if the cheek piece work on the course like they look to have done at home then he’s got a strong chance.
3.40 York – Monaleen
She needs a career best to win this. But as it’s a Listed race if we could nick a place and get some black type for her I’m sure everyone would be delighted.
He really loves this sort of race. Big fields and a strong pace always seem to bring out the best in him. You always need a bit of luck to win a race like the John Smith’s Cup but if he gets that then you’d have to think he can be dangerous off his mark. I’ve got a 100 per cent record on him and I hope I can continue that in this race.
4.50 York – Marsha
It was great to see her show the potential we think she has on the course at Ayr last time when winning. This looks a strong Listed race and it’s going to take a career best from her to win but we think she’s got plenty of talent. I think the race will be run to suit as they’ll go fast and I can ride her to pounce on them late. I hope she can do what she did last time again here.
5.20 York – Franca Florio
She’s down at the right end of the weights for a handicap like this and she’s one of the few horses in the race to have actually won. I think she’s got a real live chance and there’s a good chance the handicapper has let her in a few pounds light.
