RACING expert Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) offers his best bets from Saturday's card.
13:50 York | Strensall Stakes | ITV
The Strensall stakes over an extended mile looks a good start to the York card and the favourite here will be popular. Lord Glitters is turning into a seriously consistent horse with five seconds and a third in his last seven runs, although I'm starting to get concerned that he doesn't get his head in front at the right time.
I'm taking him on with Mustashry (4/1 Paddy Power). A typical late developing Stoute horse, he has only ran once this campaign, where he was a ready winner of a Sandown listed race. I suspect there is more to come from him and he will stay this trip well. He only has to find a bit to win this and at the prices he appeals.
14:05 Goodwood | Celebration Mile | ITV
Goodwood’s feature race this weekend is the group 2 Celebration Mile. It's usually won by a top-class miler and I expect this year to be no different.
Beat the Bank (13/8 Coral) shot to prominence last year winning five of his six races before a disappointing effort in the QEII. He was again below his best in the Lockinge on his return however since then he's shown he is a high-class miler.
An improved effort in the Queen Anne was followed by a win in the Summer mile at Ascot, where he beat two solid yardsticks. He never got the rub of the green last time out over course and distance but this represents a significant drop in class and he should get his head in front here.
15:40 York | Ebor Handicap | ITV
The Ebor is generally one of the most competitive and difficult races to find the winner of each year however this year could be different. Tony Bloom is having a great year, with horse he owns winning multiple staying handicaps – the warning signs are there for his rivals again.
Stratum (7/2 Marathon) started his campaign off over hurdles at Ballinrobe before running over an extreme distance at Royal Ascot.
This trip looks his optimum to me and last time when winning over 2 miles at Newbury, he showed plenty of pace for a ‘stayer'. This was his immediate target. Like all of Tony Blooms’ winners lately, he has been very well backed in recent weeks and despite being a short price for a race like this he is my idea of the winner.
Best Bets
13:50 York – Mustashry (4/1 Paddy Power)
14:05 Goodwood – Beat the Bank (13/8 Coral)
15:40 York – Stratum (7/2 Marathon)
