16th-May-2013

… By contrast, 14/1 or 16/1 about Ancient Cross is too big.

Mick Easterby’s horse goes well at York – he has won and has run several big races at the track before – and he has dropped to a nice mark of 92. He won this race two years ago off a mark of 89, just 3lb lower (and 12lb lower than his career-high mark of 101).

His mark of 92 is 3lb below the mark off which he ran well over course and distance at last year’s Ebor meeting, beaten less than two lengths into sixth place. Also, he is only 1lb higher than when he was just touched off on his final run of last season over six furlongs at Doncaster, only headed late on over a trip that just stretched his stamina.

He is more of a five-furlong horse than a six-furlong horse and, after reappearing over six at Doncaster, he stepped up when fifth in Mister Manannan’s race at Beverley when he probably wasn’t suited by racing out wide throughout. He kept on under hands and heels though, and he should have improved again for the run. Indeed it is probable that Easterby has been aiming to have him spot on for today’s race again, given that he has won it before and given the trainer’s affinity with this meeting and this track. With Paul Mulrennan, who is riding really well at the moment, on board, he shouldn’t be a 16/1 shot.

ANCIENT CROSS WON (SP 14/1)