3.30pm York Tips & Betting Preview 17/06/2017

Trainer Tim Easterby has won this race four times in the past and it looks likely he’ll make it five with the lightly raced three year old GOLDEN APOLLO, who took his form to a new level when last seen. After posting two good efforts this season since a game win at Doncaster in November, he destroyed a field at Pontefract on Monday when winning by five lengths and it likely could have been many more if he’d been fully extended. As a result he has to carry a six pound penalty but that looks very lenient judging by how easily he won on Monday, as he looked value for a lot more in that run. Conditions are almost identical and James Sullivan takes over the ride, so he looks extremely likely to dominate this field for his in form yard.

Clear at the front of the market, Ekhtiyaar is very well fancied after four runs for Roger Varian and another improved display looks likely under Jim Crowley. He has progressed with every run for Hamdan Al Maktoum, posting a career best on his latest start when rallying gamely to win a Newmarket handicap last month despite a troubled passage. His attitude can certainly not be questioned and a five pound rise is unlikely to stop this promising individual from going close again, with the Varian yard remaining in red hot form. Purchased for 110,000gns, there is likely more to come and perhaps pattern company awaits this son of Bated Breath, though he does lack the experience edge of a few which could be of some concern in this bigger field.

There are many in form types who head into the contest and none more so than Michael Easterby’s Carlton Frankie, with this daughter of Equiano winning all three of her races since debut for connections. Despite an eight pound rise for her first handicap victory on her penultimate start, she brushed aside the boys with the minimum of fuss when making all comfortably at Nottingham when last seen. On that evidence she should appreciate this step up in trip and Nathan Evans takes off a valuable three pounds, with conditions in her favour. She remains with any amount of potential and has to be respected in her bid for the four timer, though this is obviously much tougher and there are some well treated types in the line up which should scupper her bid.

A nose second at Listed level at Epsom on his third start for David Barron, Danielsflyer returned this season with a bang and will be looking to kick on from that as he bids for a third career victory. The three year old son of Dandy Man posted a career best effort when easily winning a Newmarket handicap in May, eased near the line and as a result he’s been raised eight pounds in the handicap. This obviously makes things much tougher and this is likely more competitive, but he should come on for that reappearance run and Silvestre De Sousa retains the ride which is an obvious plus as he’s riding out of his skin at present. The better ground is a big plus to him and if taking a step forward from that seasonal debut, he should be going close.

The manner in which Smokey Lane disposed of his rivals at Leicester was a likeable display and he has solid each way claims once again in a tougher race. A pattern level performer at points last season, his handicap mark slipped down to 92 before his latest run, where he made smooth headway to lead a furlong from home before careering away under Fran Berry for a comfortable success. As a result he’s seven pounds higher and pitched into a tougher race, but his earlier efforts suggest he is capable of better and the conditions on offer will suit. He has good each way claims for David Evans and needs a second look.