2.05pm York Tips & Betting Preview 14/10/2017

2.05pm York tips for Saturday’s Class 2 race. The ITV action at York kicks off with a competitive handicap, with fourteen runners heading to post for this contest. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: Anythingtoday has the pick of the form of the three year olds in this line-up and looks sure to go close under Louis Steward, the selection though is CHELSEA LAD. He’s lightly raced for his age and wasn’t beaten far in the Cambridgeshire when last seen, doing his best work late on. An extra furlong is going to suit him massively and with his current mark more than fair, he’s the one to beat.

1 LINGUISTIC – First run since April when finishing eighteenth in the Cambridgeshire, not disgracing himself and he was entitled to need it. His current mark is fair and he holds each way claims as he goes on any ground.

2 BIG COUNTRY – Second over course and distance two starts ago and that was a career best, though he was disappointing when well held in the Cambridgeshire. High enough in the weights now and can only be given each way claims.

3 CHELSEA LAD – Both his wins have come at Newmarket and he ran well there to finish fourth in the Cambridgeshire last month. He’s only a pound higher and he goes on any surface, so he rates as a leading player upped in distance and should be tough to beat.

4 SPEED COMPANY – Ran well to finish fifth in a course and distance handicap in August, having a poor run of things inside the final two furlongs. He’s on the same mark and a repeat of that performance will see him going close. Connections are out of form, though.

5 LAW AND ORDER – Useful sort who has run well in pattern company, but he returns to handicaps off a huge weight and he’s yet to win a handicap. He needs assistance for the handicapper and should find at least one too good.

6 WEEKEND OFFENDER – Won three starts ago at Ayr but the handicapper has control now, as he was well held off this mark the last twice. He was well beaten in the Cambridgeshire behind a few of these and he’s best watched.

7 HIBOU – In good form in the summer for Iain Jardine, but the yard has hit a massive flat spot and he’s been well held of late off his new mark. His latest ninth at Haydock was very disappointing and others are preferred.

8 MASTER CARPENTER – Has won twice over course and distance, but overall he doesn’t win very often. He won readily over C&D back in May and he’s only two pounds higher, but he needs to bounce back from some poor efforts. Not discounted, especially if the money comes for him.

9 DARK RED – Won but caused interference and placed second in a Glorious Goodwood Handicap, running well in three subsequent starts. He has the first-time blinkers on today which makes him interesting and he’s not handicapped out of things. One to consider.

10 AZARI – Dual winner at the 1m 4f trip this season, but back at this trip he was never dangerous at Newbury last month. His current mark is stiff enough and he’s likely to be staying on far too late.

12 EMPRESS ALI – Has been running well this season for Tom Tate, but that has been on softer ground and she is vulnerable back on a sounder surface. It was in terrible conditions she gained her two seconds the last twice and can only be watched here with no rain forecast.

13 ANYTHINGTODAY – Useful form for Hugo Palmer, third over this distance at Newbury last month with a strong late challenge.He’s only two pounds higher and is the pick of the three year olds, so needs the utmost respect.

14 SYPHAX – Won the Acomb as a juvenile but it’s not been plain sailing since, scarcely seen this year. He was seventh the mile when last seen, gradually weakening and the cheekpieces now go on. Stamina to prove at this distance and has too much to prove today.

Non Runners

11 BURGUILLOS – Finished a neck second to Big Country in June but he’s weighted to reverse that form, with excuses on his latest start. His current mark is more than fair and with conditions to suit, this consistent sort is going to be tough to beat.