Point Lynas

Point Lynas did well to make all the running at a strong pace and win the Hambleton Handicap at York’s Dante meeting. Smartly away from stall five, he settled into a nice racing rhythm in front for Callum Rodriquez, and he battled on well when he was challenged by Northern Express, the pair of them pulling nicely clear of their rivals. Northern Express was never too far off the pace, but he is a talented horse who goes well at York, and the next five home all raced in mid-division or worse from early. Also, a finishing speed of 95.95% suggests that Point Lynas led at a strong pace.

This was Ed Bethell’s horse’s seasonal debut, his first run since he finished fourth behind Chindit in the Group 3 Superior Mile at Haydock last September. He holds an entry in the Group 3 John O Gaunt Stakes back at Haydock on Saturday, and he could be an interesting outsider if he lines up in that. He will be of greater interest, however, if and when he goes back to York, where he goes particularly well. His record over a mile on good or fast ground at York now reads 2221.

York, 16^th May 2024