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Preview of this weekend’s racing with Farringdon: August 26th-27th
Including races at York, Goodwood, Newmarket and Curragh

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FUNNY how a large amount of prize money on offer can change the view of connections. For after Sweet William hacked up at Goodwood, the owner all but ruled the youngster out of the Ebor Handicap (York, 3.35) at the Knavesmire. But the £300k up for grabs has seemingly changed that initial judgement call and off a paltry 4lbs higher mark the John Gosden charge is the rightful favourite here.

Still, I would only want to go in full steam ahead on him if the ground were to become good or softer and Rob Havlin will need to make an early decision from stall three, surprisingly high numbers have a good record over the course and distance.

Another progressive four-year-old, Real Dream, languishes off the same mark and I loved the way he went through the race when hosing in over this distance at Ascot last month. That was his first attempt at the trip so he could be open to just as much improvement, or even more, than the market leader over this distance of ground.

Both have, to a certain extent, been found in the market and I would much prefer to have an each-way play on SUNCHART at a huge price especially with some showers due in the weather forecast post lunch time.

This classy gelding was thought good enough to take on the great Kyprios last season with his best run coming in the Listed Finale Stakes at Naas when he came home like a train to finish a never nearer short head second to Duke De Sessa. 

An eye-catching fifth of eight behind Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban in the Ballyroan Stakes following a short break, that run should have sharpened up the six-year-old and he looks a sporting each-way play in another wide open edition of the this famous staying handicap.

Jumby would be my each-way play in the City of York Stakes at 3.00, but even he is just a 25/1 shot in a cracking renewal which owes its strength in depth to the prize money on offer. Eve Johnson Houghton’s charge is reliant on a fast surface so if the rains stay away he would be worthy of a substantial each-way saver behind ISAAC SHELBY.

The three-year-old selection was touched off by Kinross in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, but Brian Meehan’s charge was a shade too free that day and with perhaps a smidgeon more improvement to come from him on his eighth career start the youngster is taken to reverse that Goodwood form with his six-year-old conqueror.

Elsewhere on the card, TACTICAL is given another chance over six furlongs at a massive price after he got stuck in the mud in the Steward’s Cup at Goodwood and gets the nod over Lethal Levi and the admirable Mr Wagyu.

SKETCH is a youngster who should also appreciate the faster conditions after he simply go a yard in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, the winner having richly franked the form since. Sent off a 2/1 second favourite that day, the son of Showcasing is way better than that form suggests and is taken to turn over the likes of Purosangue and Baheer.

Down to a mark of 98, CERTAIN LAD could go well at a double figure price in the finale 10 furlong handicap at 5.20. A few showers would certainly help his cause and he looks the value call over Obelix.

There is a cracking card at Goodwood this afternoon and CHARYN may be good enough to see off his elders in the Group Two Celebration Mile at 2.40. The youngster ran a fine race in the Sussex Stakes when a four-and-a-half lengths third to Paddington in the feature contest of that week.

The big race on the Sussex Downs is the Handicap over seven furlongs at 3.15 with the weights headed by Shining Blue. However, the five-year-old looks exposed off his current mark of 108 and in receipt of 19lbs, the Charlie Johnston trained URBAN SPRAWL could cause a minor surprise. The selection has run two below par races of late, but back down to a rating of 89, the colt could run a big race at double figure odds here.

Over at Newmarket, have a second look at OUTSMART off top weight in the mile and a quarter handicap at 2.10, while I shall be having a nice investment on CHIEF MANKATO in the stakes at 3.20. A smart winner of his career debut at Windsor, the son of Sioux Nation ran way too freely over six furlongs in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and is considered way better than that last of nine run. The hat-trick seeking Golden Trick and Geologist could be his main rivals in this valuable event.

Finally, at the Curragh, BRILLIANT can bounce back to form in the Group Three at 4.40 and VILLAGE VOICE looks the call in the Group Three Snow Fairy Stakes over nine furlongs at 5.40.

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