3 minute read

Friday's races continued to provide a number of long-priced winners.

That was not the case in the Lonsdale when favourite Coltrane saluted for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy, gaining a 1 ½ length victory over Courage Mon Ami with Giavelotto third.

However it was the case in the Gimcrack when Lake Forest won at 16/1 for Haggas-Marquand over Johannes Brahms by a length with King's Gamble 9/2 third.

And again in the Nunthorpe when Live in the Dream won at 28/1 for the unheralded pair of Adam West trainer and Sean Kirrane jockey.  They defeated the until now top sprinter Highfield Princess with Bradsell third.

Some of the trainers were finding that the return to a good-to-firm surface had upset the apple cart as much of the form was based on results over softer surfaces.

Saturday's card features the G3 Strensall Stakes over 1700m with 6 runners.  Nostrum would be very unlucky to lose this and comes in on 5/6 for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore with the most likely challenger being El Drama on 7/2.

The City of York G2 sees last year's winner Kinross back to defend his title – he's 15/8 Beckett-Dettori with Sacred on 10/3 and Isaac Shelby 11/2.  There are several others who could make claims for a top 3 spot but that's how the market stands at the moment.

The crowd may be affected by a transport strike – hope it doesn't affect the horses and jockeys etc.