The Large Fields at Lunchtime Blog

Having had some success with the large field races at York yesterday, I thought I would concentrate on these today and leave the smaller races to Aiden's gang.....by the way, in case you were wondering, Joseph isn't riding at York today because he can't do less than 9st.

13:55

DBS PREMIER YEARLING STAKES (CLASS 2) (2yo)

There are a number of runners here who have been contesting pattern class races running in this but they are mainly drawn on the ‘wrong’ side of the track (low).  Kevin Ryan come mob-handed with five runners and given he has won the past two runnings, you have to give these serious consideration but Tim Easterby won it in 2009 and it’s one of his two runners, Ventura Mist who I’ve opted for.  The move up to 6f worked wonders last time out when he came a very close 2^nd in a listed race and if anything might need further.  So his stamina isn’t in question and even in this large field, we might just see taken straight to the front and stay there but more likely he will come thundering up the left hand side of your screens in the last half furlong!

Win	Ventura Mist
Next Best	Rufford
Each Way	Touch The Clouds

15:05

CLIPPER LOGISTICS STAKES (Handicap) (CLASS 2) (3yo+)

This race has been won by a 4 or 5 year old the past ten years and that’s where I started! Favourites don’t have a good record either with only one winner in 10 years but despite this stat, this year’s favourite Queensberry Rules has too much going for him to forsake him just yet. He is trained by William Haggas who has an exceptional 25% (21/83) strike rate at this track and ridden by Johnny Murtagh with an equally impressive record riding here.  The worry would be that he has also only ever won on right handed tracks. 

A new stat to add to the mix at this point is the fact that all winners in the past 10 years have had a RPR of between 103 and 113, so this would appear to lead us to Hot Bed! Hot Bed had only ever won on the all weather at Dundalk but David Wachman isn’t the sort of trainer to send just one horse over for the scenery so we have to assume that he will act on the turf as well and indeed he has two 2^nds on good to firm to his name so he could well go one better.  David O’Meara has the same approach to this race that Kevin Ryan has in the first with 5 runners and of his five, Frog Hollow looks his best chance although Mont Ras could offer the best value.  A mile on good to firm at a left handed galloping track is just his thing.

Win	Hot Bed 3rd
Next Best	Queensberry Rules
Each Way	Mont Ras 1st

16:55

EVENTMASTERS.CO.UK EBF FILLIES´ STAKES (Handicap) (CLASS 2) (3yo+ 0-100)

Nurpur’s past six races in a hood (2-1-2-2-1-1)have been at either 6f or 8f and she has never been unplaced on going given as good to firm so back against her own sex over 7f on good to firm with the hood retained and Ryan Moore booked, ought to see her up there.  However, all of those aforementioned places and wins were in small single figured fields but her (newish) style of running should suit today.

Dutch Rose hasn’t won since taking this a year ago and is up 6lb from that day so I can’t see a repeat performance on the cards and Shesastar beat her albeit by ½ length although the slight weights adjustment this time would seem to give her back control. 

Patrona Ciana is an intriguing runner having joined the O’Meara stable from France for Middleham Park Racing (& partner) just a week ago.  Buick is booked so they must be expecting a decent showing.  So my three final picks are the O’Meara runners – can he get a 1-2-3 ?

Win	Nurpur
Next Best	Dutch Rose 1st
Each Way	Patrona Ciana