2.40 York, Friday, October 12

Notwithstanding any allowances, in the Racebets Money Back 2nd 3rd 4th Handicap (2.40) at York on Friday, Mikmak finished 10 lengths behind Waarif on their most recent meeting at Ayr last month, but only a neck behind the same horse, on 2lb worse terms, on their previous meeting at Ripon in August. In between times, Tim Easterby’s 5-year-old finished only sixth of nine, when favourite, in the Ripon Rowels Handicap, but was yet to be asked for an effort when hampered with two furlongs to run and is probably best forgiven that effort.

Rain is forecast in North Yorkshire on Thursday and Friday but, with the going on the Knavesmire currently good, Mikmak will almost certainly encounter faster underfoot conditions then he did at Ayr. If so, in receipt of 13lb, he looks extraordinarily well handicapped with Waarif this time around and, although still 7lb higher in the weights than when last winning, at Thirsk in August, may not be prohibitively encumbered just yet.

Three wins from 28 starts on turf – albeit two of which have come in ten starts since joining Tim Easterby from William Muir last April – is hardly prolific, but the Makfi gelding is fairly consistent and has winning form on good, good to soft and heavy going, so should give us a run for our money whatever the weather between now and Friday afternoon. At 20/1, or thereabouts, in the ante post lists, Mikmak looks worth a sporting wager.

Selection: York 2.40 Mikmak to win 16/1

Music To My Ears!

 

Dust off the Vinyls out of the garage, I'm looking for my horse to glide to a sophisticated win!