York 16:05
With the weather making it feel like summer has finally arrived, we head to York for a very good 0-100 fillies handicap over six furlongs.
William Haggas runs the very lightly raced four year old Sainted, who has had just the three runs to date. She went straight into handicap races after winning a maiden on debut, and won a reasonable handicap at Newmarket last time out. That was over seven furlongs on soft going however, and she was staying on strongly that day. Therefore it is somewhat of a surprise to see her back over six furlongs, but she does have quite a bit of speed in her pedigree so it will be very interesting to see how she goes. Haggas has a fantastic record here at York, as over the past five years he's had 36 winners (21.30%) and 73 places (43.20%) from 169 runners, for level stakes profits of 54.36 and 47.40 respectively.
Queen In Waiting looks a fine prospect and is from the powerful Mark Johnson yard. This Exceed And Excel filly has contested some very useful handicaps already, including a good fourth placed finish in a slightly better race than this last time out. She has been dropped a pound subsequent to that race, and looks sure to give a bold bid to jump out and make all.
Turanga Leela won a 0-85 handicap over six furlongs last time out on good to firm going, and has been raised seven pounds for that win, therefore she will need to have taken another step forward if she is going to get involved in this. Her trainer, Ian Williams, does have a very good record with last time out winners. Over 27% of them go on to win again, with over 53% of them getting a place.
Southern Belle is the top weight and as a four year old will concede the allowance to over half of the field, as they are three year olds. However, she has been running consistently, and has been lowered by two pounds after her recent fourth place at Goodwood. She reared on leaving the stalls that day so had no chance of winning, and actually did very well to run on into fourth place. Provided she breaks cleanly in this, I think she has definite place claims, at least.
Today's selection
Queen In Waiting - 1 point @ 9/2 (Skybet)