York

2.40pm

Raheen House

This is a horse I obviously know very well from his time with Brian, and I won a Bahrain Trophy on him, and he seems to have run a very satisfactory first race on his stable debut here last month, when second to Gold Mount, who re-opposes again. You would expect him to be straighter for the run, and he looks to hold an obvious enough chance, though clearly he has ground to find with the winner, and the likes of Weekender have to be respected, too.

3.15pm

Escobar

He is another with good claims after his second at Sandown last week. I suspect he bumped into one there and trip and ground look fine. The quick turnaround is perhaps a concern, but he probably looks to have a favourite’s chance.

3.50pm

Setting Sail

I am not sure about his draw in 23 but we can’t do anything about that now. We will have to see what unfolds. But he clearly comes in here in good form having won at Newmarket last time. His 5lb penalty for that means he is simply running off his correct mark – he went up that amount for winning – but hopefully things fall his way and there is more improvement to come from him on just his seventh start.

4.25pm

Mancini

His narrow second to Carnwennan over course and distance here in May reads very well, given the winner bolted up in the Northumberland Vase subsequently, so he looks well-weighted on that run. He probably didn’t last home over 2m4f in the Ascot Stakes last time and, back in trip here, I think he has a winning chance.

5.00pm

Abstemious

Oh Purple Reign sets a pretty high standard for the rest of us to aim at. But my mount has a Gimcrack entry, so let’s hope that is not misplaced! We all clearly have a tough job on with the favourite, for all he carries a 6lb penalty.

17:35pm

Oso Rapido

He was gelded after his below-par run here last time. But if that has improved him, he is probably on a fair mark on his earlier Thirsk third, without being obviously well-handicapped