Value Bets – Ebor Festival Day 1

Racing tipster James Boyle has picked out three selections for Wednesday’s card at York.

Some disappointing performances to report from Saturday’s bets. Flying Pursuit never travelled despite returning to a track he should have been enjoying and now it’s hard to have confidence that his turn is edging nearer, for all that I’m sure he’ll pop up before long! Lake Volta was another to prove below-par and the early pace seemed to catch him out. Came From The Dark was punted from 12/1 into 5/1 and just wasn’t suited to the run of the race. There’ll be other days for him and he remains of interest.

1:55pm York – Final Venture – 1pt win @ 12/1

In a race full of speedy handicappers, at a sprint track where being on the pace can often prove to be advantageous, it could end up being a case of whoever cracks last holds on. FINAL VENTURE needs no introduction having gone well in hot events many a time before, including when runner-up in this race last term, and he arrives on the back of an excellent effort on Shergar Cup day when caught in the final strides by a closer from the rear. Those types may not have time to get to him on this occasion and with the in-form Oisin Murphy booked to ride again, all looks set for a big run.

4:15pm York – Sleeping Lion – 1pt win @ 9/1

James Fanshawe doesn’t run too many horses at York but SLEEPING LION may be set to provide him with a winner in the two-mile handicap. The 4-year-old disappointed on his penultimate start at Ayr but was back in good order when stepped up to this trip for the first time at Ascot last month, finishing second to a well-ridden Johnston inmate. The longer distance seemed to bring about improvement and Jamie Spencer hopping up to hunt him around in rear could prove a smart move. It’s an open affair but this fellow appears to have more upside from a mark of 92 than many of his rivals.

4:50pm York – Separate – 1pt win @ 33/1

SEPARATE has more to prove than a lot of her rivals in the 6f nursery but is interesting at a big price with blinkers applied for the first time. Her most solid piece of form came at Windsor a few starts back when a close second behind Clive Cox’s Hand On My Heart and she caught the eye finishing strongly in the closing stages over 5f. Both runs since have not matched that level but there are potential excuses in place and maybe Goodwood wasn’t the track for her last time. Should the blinkers eke out a few pounds, she might surprise some of the layers offering the big prices currently available.

If you’re looking for more York tips then check out what myracing have on the horse racing tips page!

• • Who is James Boyle? Read his column Q&A here.
  • Click here to see the full spreadsheet of all bets.