York

2.40pm

Final Rock

The stable has obviously been under a cloud this season – the horses have not been well, on the whole – but hopefully there is some light at the end of the tunnel now. He was clearly a very progressive horse last season, winning three times as he marched up 31lb in the handicap, and he looks to have shaped okay at Lingfield last month. If he can come forward from that – and the first-time visor, replacing the cheek pieces will hopefully help – then I’d like to think there is more to come, especially on ground he will enjoy.

3.15pm

Isaan Queen

Hopefully, she proves to be in the right place on the track, having been drawn 16 of 17, as she comes here at the top of her game. Normally, a mark of 96 would have you struggling to win a Listed race but she is only 7lb shy of form horse Shades Of Blue, and she will have her conditions here, so she is certainly not out of this.

After that, I am off to Chester in the evening, where I think I have a fairly strong book of rides, and all four have chances.

Recent winners War Storm and Desert Ace have obvious claims – though the latter is not well drawn in nine, so War Storm looks my most likely winner of the night – but the other two aren’t out of it, either.

Start Time has a chance off his falling mark but, again, being drawn 10 of 12 is not ideal in the 7f handicap.