Crown Counsel to snap winless streak in handicap at Ebor meeting

The Yorkshire Oaks takes precedence on day two of York’s Ebor meeting, but there are three other televised races that offer punters something to think about.

Newfangled is a warm favourite for the Lowther Stakes, while the Don’t Settle For Less handicap promises to be a big betting heat.

14:00 York – Hototo @ 9/1

Hototo has only competed over 5f to date, which includes a success in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.

In his two races since, conditions have been against him, with the heavy ground bogging him down in the Super Sprint and then the undulating track at Goodwood not playing to his strengths last time.

He was also caught short of a bit of finishing speed at Goodwood and so this step up to 6f should suit.

A number of unexposed sorts are in the field, with Roger Varian’s Rocky Ground looking the best of them, especially if not running as green in the closing stages as he did when losing his unbeaten record by a head at Newmarket.

Like Hototo, Annunciation benefits from a high draw and he will also appreciate the quick ground at York.

14:30 York – Rosdhu Queen @ 11/2

Newfangled will undoubtedly be hard to beat given her comprehensive victory in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, but this is her first try on a firm surface.

At the prices there are two solid alternate options, with Badr Al Badoor clearly talented as she has been thrown into a Group Two after only one start.

This victory that has provided various maiden winners since, but she is another who may find the ground slightly too quick.

Therefore, preference is for Rosdhu Queen, who is unbeaten in her two career starts and showed the right attitude in a tense finish last time.

This finish also suggested that this step up to 6f should offer little problem.

15:05 York – Crown Counsel @ 10/1

Most of the money has come for Kahruman after he was tipped up by Pricewise and he looks the most progressive of the three-year-old runners, who benefit from a 6lb weight for age allowance.

However, slight preference is for Crown Counsel, despite the fact he has not won for 17 starts in a run stretching 14 months.

Mark Johnston’s runner produced his best display of the season at Ayr last time and gets in a shade light at the weights here given that he is due to be put up 2lb by the handicapper over the weekend.

Indian Jack is another priced at 10/1 with each-way claims, especially as trainer Luca Cumani has already celebrated a handicap winner at the Ebor meeting.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.