3.50pm York Tips & Betting Preview 27/05/2017

David O’Meara has sent out eight winners in the past two weeks so is clearly in good form, with Out Do trying to gain his first victory since July 2015 for the in form stable. Performing admirably at points last season for the trainer, including a seventh in a very competitive handicap at Ascot in September, he returned this season when taking third late on in a Ripon sprint event back in April. He was likely to have needed that run so that was a very promising seasonal debut, with the handicapper not altering his mark which makes him appealing in this contest with the in form Danny Tudhope retaining the ride. He goes on any ground and looks a very likely candidate now 5lb below his last winning mark in a handicap. With our original tip Mont Kiara now a non runner, Out Do is a confident selection to land the spoils.

Although disappointing in the main over in Meydan in the winter, Harry Hurricane is now only 2lb above his last winning mark and is capable of making his presence felt if back to his best after an 100 day break. George Baker’s five year old posted his career best when beating off East Street Revue, driven out but always looking likely to hold on despite strong pressure late in the day. Since that run he has run once at Chantilly and three times in Meydan, with only one run in the Middle East proving fruitful, dead heating in the Sobha Handicap Trophy off a one pound higher mark. He does have something to prove after two subsequent poor performances, but he clearly is capable at this level and his current mark is one he can exploit under Pat Cosgrave. He’s a big player but does have risks attached, with market support likely to be very interesting.

Better than ever since returning this season for Tim Easterby, Copper Knight looks on the upgrade after being highly tried as a two year old where he was mainly outclassed. Competing mainly in Listed races after winning the Lily Agnes on his third start, he was solidly beaten on all three of those Listed runs which culminated in a tailed off run in the Super Sprint at Newbury in July. He made his handicap debut on his seasonal reappearance at Ripon in April, finishing a promising second and off the same mark with race fitness he stormed away to win a Chester handicap with ease, making all in very good style. He’s been slapped with an 8lb rise as a result but he remains with potential at handicap level and the manner in which he won that latest run was impressive. This is much tougher with a bigger field and he’s unlikely to be allowed to dominate, but if he’s able to go his own way out in front, he’s going to take all the catching when he tries to boot clear late on.