8th-Jul-2016

Alpha Delphini is a progressive sprinter who has the potential to go beyond today’s mark of 83 now.  Winner of his maiden at Beverley on his penultimate run last season, he started off this season by winning a five-furlong handicap at Musselburgh, doing well to get there from his low draw and finishing off his race strongly to beat Noodles Blue Boy by over a length.

He was beaten on his next run, in a better race at Thirsk, but he raced up with a fast pace that day, and that was over six furlongs.  He was happier back down at five last time – albeit a stiff five – at Pontefract, when he did well to get as close as he did from his wide draw.  He was drawn 11 off 11 that day, and he raced in rear before making his ground wide and getting up for third place, just over a length behind the winner Stranghow.

The handicapper left him on his mark of 83 for that, which was more than fair.  He is five, but he has raced just eight times in his life.  He still has scope for plenty of progression now as a sprinter.  He has form on fast ground and on good ground, so even if the overnight rain at York has made it easier than the now official good, good to firm in places, he should be fine.  The only element missing is course form at York, he has never run there, but he has enough in his favour to take that into account at the price.

Kystallite and Captain Colby should go forward from stalls eight and nine respectively, and Paddy Power (stall one) and Bogart (stall three) like to race handily, so there should be enough pace on the far side to take Alpha Delphini into the race.

ALPHA DELPHINI WON (ADV 9/1, SP 8/1)