3.15pm York Tips & Betting Preview 14/10/2017

3.15pm York tips for Saturday’s Class 2 race. The final race at York that’s on ITV this Saturday is the Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap, raced over the six furlongs. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: Plenty of these arrive in good form such as Spring Loaded and Stake Acclaim, with both of those leading contenders for this tough handicap. Preference though is for UPSTAGING, who placed in the Steward’s Cup two starts ago and again ran a great race when only finding a horse an in-form horse too good last time out. He’s remarkably still on the same mark as he was the last twice and he shouldn’t be for catching here.

1 GROWL – Form has tailed off since a fourth in the Steward’s Cup at Glorious Goodwood, well beaten at Haydock when last seen. He’s down four pounds in the handicap and the blinkers replace cheekpieces, but he makes little appeal.

2 STAKE ACCLAIM – Only caught on the line when second at Haydock in the Gold Cup, with the heavy ground perhaps blunting him late on. He’s ground versatile and only up four pounds, so he’s unlikely to be far away.

3 MR LUPTON – Loves a big field handicap and is a course and distance winner, running well at Haydock when last seen. Sebastian Woods takes off seven pounds which is very useful and he’s a lively each way contender.

4 EQTIRAAN – Softer ground is perhaps a viable excuse for his latest defeat at Newmarket, but it was still a bitterly disappointing effort and off only a pound lower he has plenty to prove here. Likely to fall short.

5 SPRING LOADED – Won the Portland on his latest start in very impressive style, with the handicapper slamming him with a nine pound rise. That isn’t necessarily out of reach though and he has strong claims.

6 FLYING PURSUIT – Won three of his five starts since the cheekpieces went on, up another five pounds for a last time out victory. He’s clearly in great heart and goes on better ground, so is unlikely to be far away.

7 PERFECT PASTURE – Has been sent off at huge odds on most of his starts this year and he’s been well held the last thrice in big handicaps. He’s back down to a more realistic mark but he shouldn’t be good enough here.

8 UPSTAGING – Placed in the Steward’s Cup two starts ago and was only beaten a length in a competitive sprint at Windsor in August. He is on the same mark here which is very generous and he’s going to be very tough to beat.

9 EDWARD LEWIS – Handicapper has him just where he wants him at present, disappointing on his latest start at Beverley. The handicapper has refused to budge and he’s best watched here.

10 PIPERS NOTE – Running as well as ever this season for Ruth Carr, finishing fifth in the Portland when last seen after doing his best work late on. He has plenty to find with Spring Loaded though and the handicapper is in charge now.

11 ORION’S BOW – Has been brushed aside on his last two runs for Tim Easterby, only beating three rivals home at Haydock on his latest start. He weakened tamely that day and off four pounds lower, he makes limited appeal.

12 GOLDEN APOLLO – Had a great season for Tim Easterby, taking another victory at Ascot two starts ago before a close third at Ripon behind Flying Pursuit. He’s on the same mark here and should hit the frame once again despite the yard being well out of form.

13 TERUNTUM STAR – Inconsistent sort who was at his best when taking the Silver Trophy at Ripon, racing in the advantaged group. He’s now seven pounds higher and has never followed up a win, so his claims aren’t obvious.

14 AL QAHWA – Best effort this term when second at the Curragh on his latest outing, now only a pound higher. His best efforts this year have come on a sounder surface though and the visor goes on. Each way claims but needs rain.

15 KICKBOXER – His last two wins have come over the five furlong distance and he was beaten a long way at Haydock in the mud last month. He has plenty to prove here and although he may have needed that run, he makes limited appeal all the same.

17 EASTERN IMPACT – On a very feasible mark based on his form in the spring but he’s been unable to hack it in the top handicaps on his last four runs. This is no easier than his previous runs and he shouldn’t be good enough here.

16 RAUCOUS – Has been soundly on his last three runs for Willie Haggas, going without the headgear on this occasion. He’s clearly better than what he’s been showing but he’s impossible to put forward after a disappointing run latest.

19 HOOF IT – Only three runs in 2017 for this ten year old, who wasn’t disgraced to finish sixth in the Steward’s Cup and another strong handicap at York last month. He’s a pound lower here and not without a hope of placing as he’s fresher than most.

20 OUTBACK TRAVELLER – Lost his way since winning the Wokingham of 2016 at Royal Ascot, struggling to beat rivals home more often than not. Clearly extremely well treated now and the cheekpieces go on, but he couldn’t be recommended.