16th-May-2024

This is competitive, and Point Lynas is high enough in the market, but he has lots in his favour and I think that he should be shorter than he is, I think that he should be clear favourite.

Ed Bethell’s horse was progressive last season as a four-year-old, he rounded off the season by finishing a good fourth behind the 113-rated Chindit in the Group 3 Superior Mile at Haydock in September.

This is his first run since, and he should appreciate the return to handicap company.  He was only just beaten in this race last year off a mark of 93.  He is 7lb higher now, but you can easily argue that he is at least a 7lb better horse now.

He has never won at York, but he has been placed second in three of his four runs there, beaten a head on two of those occasions, including in this race last year, and actually winning by a short head on one, before being demoted in the stewards’ room.  He goes well fresh too, he won on his debut last season, and his forward-going style is well suited to York.  His low draw is a help too in that regard.

Al Mubhir was tempting, but he will surely be better on softer ground.  Northern Express was tempting too, he goes well here, but he was disappointing in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time, a track at which he also goes well, and I prefer Point Lynas.

POINT LYNAS WON (ADV 13/2, SP 6/1)