Zennor the bet after Storms at York
FRIDAY’s card opens with a competitive mile handicap (1.50pm) featuring lots of unexposed three-year-olds.
One of those is William Haggas’ ZENNOR STORM who looks a winner waiting to happen.
He finished with a flourish to be second at Goodwood last time. He was beaten a length by Exclusive Code that day but did best of those that were positioned towards the rear of the field, while the winner had his own way out in front and made all the running.
Prior to that Zennor Storm also caught the eye when running on well to finish a close fourth over this course and distance in June, and he looks the type that should benefit from a likely strong gallop here.
The draw can be a factor over a mile at York and it’s certainly preferable to break from a low stall, but Zennor Storm is well drawn in stall four and brings good form into this race.
He’s only around the 4/1 mark for this, but he’s the most likely winner in my book.
Now that the rain has come, and there is likely to still be plenty of juice in the ground on Friday, I’m be happy to side with CABALLO DE MAR at around 2/1 in the Group Two Lonsdale Cup (2.25pm).
The withdrawal of Carmers weakens the contest and while there’s still lots of good opposition in here, including the likes of Amiloc and Al Nayyir, George Scott’s horse looks best equipped to handle the likely conditions.
He went too hard early on in the Gold Cup at Ascot, and suffered heart stress on what was a very hot day, but conditions will be much more suitable on the Knavesmire.
Prior to Ascot, he had looked a progressive stayer when winning the Group One Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp and I think he should be able to return to winning ways here.
POINTERS FRIDAY
Zennor Storm 1.50pm York Ebor Festival
Caballo De Mar 2.25pm York Ebor Festival