ACHELOIS is fancied to return to winning form in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric Fillies’ Stakes (7.25) at York.
Although well below form in this grade at Ayr two starts ago, Andrew Balding’s daughter of Zoffany was back to form with a fine second to Anmaat in a valuable course-and-distance handicap 13 days ago.
That was the second time my selection has run well in defeat on the Knavesmire – Achelois finished a running on third – again over the extended mile and a quarter – at York’s Ebor fixture last August. All types of ground come alike to David Probert’s mount, who has the profile to give unbeaten favourite Judith plenty to think about.
Earlier on the York card, HATHLOOL has plenty going for him under a 5lb penalty in the opening John Wright Electrical Apprentice Handicap (5.20). Mick Appleby’s son of Awtaad scored for the second time in 2022 when striding clear inside the final furlong to beat Shaladar by four lengths at Leicester eight days ago.
The handicapper has reacted by putting the four-year-old up to a new rating of 82, so Frederick Larson’s partner, competing from 80 here, is 2lb well in for the follow-up bid.
Friday racing tips
UTTOXETER
1.00 SEAFORTH MANCY
1.35 AGENT SAONOIS
2.10 TEDHAM
2.40 COLLEGE OAK
3.15 BAREST OF MARGINS
3.50 MARIA MAGDALENA
4.25 REDEEMABLE
THIRSK
1.10 FORESEEABLE FUTURE
1.45 CANDLE OF HOPE
2.20 LUPSET FLOSSY POP
2.50 METAHORSE
3.25 BAZALGETTE
4.00 EMERALDS PRIDE
4.35 LEVITATE
ASCOT
1.55 SYNDICATED
2.30 CLOCHETTE
3.05 MOSTLY CLOUDY
3.40 COMMONSENSICAL
4.15 CARNIVAL ZAIN
4.50 BEXTED REEL
5.25 GLAMOROUS BREEZE
YORK
5.20 HATHLOOL (NB)
5.55 BLUE FOR YOU
6.25 OUR LITTLE PONY
6.55 CRAVEN
7.25 ACHELOIS (NAP)
7.55 SPIRIT DANCER
8.25 PRODIGIOUS BLUE
NEWMARKET
5.40 MANITOU
6.10 ONE NATION
6.40 LAGUNA VENETA
7.10 FUFILLED
7.40 TEMPORIZE
8.10 BULLACE
8.40 TIPPERARY MOON
CHEPSTOW
6.05 KING OF WAR
6.35 CHIFA
7.05 ICONIC KNIGHT
7.35 RAVI ROAD
8.05 RHUBARB
8.35 DESPERATE HERO
