2.20pm York Tips & Betting Preview 17/06/2017

Running some respectable races this season for Simon Crisford, MUTAWATHEA is now back onto the same mark as when he was second in the 2016 Victoria Cup in May 2016 and this looks the perfect opportunity for him to return to winning ways under five pound claimer Lewis Edmunds. He was very productive last summer when placing in a number of big handicaps and even went out to Meydan for three runs, where he was perhaps underwhelming. He made his British return when sixth at Goodwood twenty-three days ago, but he was entitled to need that run and he’s well treated for a big effort under a claimer who is bang in form at present. These conditions will suit him and he looks to be the one to be on to gain his fourth career victory.

Hugo Palmer has his string in good order at present and although improvement is required from Mayzoun, he is largely consistent and is more than capable of having his say under Josie Gordon. He was fifth on his penultimate start at Newmarket after being too keen in the early stages and perhaps was he was given too much to do on his latest start over course and distance, finishing sixth. He remains on the same mark and if given a more positive ride this time around connections may well reap the benefits, as he remains with potential for better with only eight starts under his belt. He seems ground versatile and the yard are operating at a 15% strike rate at present, so he looks to be a big each way player for Al Shaqab Racing.

A previous course and distance winner, Get Knotted is very consistent in big handicap fields such as this and he looks capable of having his say with his current handicap mark by no means beyond him. His last win came over course and distance in July 2016 and he has gone close on multiple occasions since, including off this mark at Doncaster four starts ago, finishing a narrow second when headed towards the line in a battle with the eventual winner. He was fifth in the Listed Hambleton Stakes here on seasonal debut and backed that effort up when third in a very competitive event over course and distance twenty-one days ago. Michael Dods has his string in great order with eight winners from his last thirty-six and Paul Mulrennan is getting back into the groove after a rough patch, with conditions also to suit this five year old. If holding his form he looks sure to hit the frame and he has to be considered a threat.

Thriving at this trip of late for David Loughnane, this represents a sharp rise in class for Theodorico, but he still isn’t one to underestimate as a lightly raced four year old. He took his first British victory when winning a Wetherby handicap in May and he followed up two weeks later when blasting away to win an amateur rider’s race at York, winning by six lengths. As a result the handicapper has slapped him with a twelve pound rise and this represents a big step up in class as he faces some established performers at this level. That said, he remains with potential for better at this trip and he cannot be ruled out with any confidence with that latest tearaway victory fresh in the mind. He’s a likely place contender under PJ McDonald, but there would have to be a strong suspicion that the combination of a rise in the weights and class should catch him out for win purposes.

Drawn in another county, Shady Mccoy will need everything to drop from stall sixteen if he’s to be taking victory, but this mark isn’t beyond him at his best. He was a good fourth on his penultimate start at Ascot in the Victoria Cup and once again ran a sound race when filling the same position at Goodwood when last seen, keeping on strongly after being slowly away. He remains on a mark of 89 which is one pound lower than his fourth in the Victoria Cup, with this far less competitive and he’s two pounds above his last winning mark. James Doyle is in red hot form at present and Ian Williams is continuing in good heart also, so a big run would be no surprise and he deserves a second look.