Titus
Titus bolted up in the 12f handicap, so he is not under the radar any more, but he was value for more even than the 4l winning margin. He travelled supremely well through his race, he raced too keenly if anything, but he travelled strongly to the 2f pole, he eased his way to the front and he came clear when Ger O'Neill asked him to.
The distance was a slight concern before the race, Titus is a free-going sort who raced over 1m at The Curragh on his penultimate run before this, and this was his first attempt at 12f. However, even though he did race keenly, he improved for this step up in distance. If he can learn to settle a little better, he could do even better.
The handicapper raised him by 11lb to a mark of 103, which is a significant hike, but it is difficult to argue with it. His best form is at York, so he will always be of interest when he returns there. It is a long way away, and the shape of the race may change significantly with the significant injection of prize money, but he is one to keep in mind for next year's Ebor, the first £1 million Ebor, which will surely be on his radar now.
York, 24th August 2018
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