The jackpot for the ITV7 on Friday remains at a heavy £100,000 for a lucky winner who can pick the victor of all seven races in the flagship competition. GG tipster Joe Napier has his selections locked and loaded for you to follow.
Race 1 – 1.50pm York – Sky Bet Handicap
The two Irish challengers appeal most here, but whereas there is a little bit of doubt regarding This Songisforyou’s stamina, there are no such queries for ZANNDABAD. He remains winless since joining Tony Martin, but now sits on a career-low handicap mark off which he should have won the Chester Cup in 2024 but for trouble in-running. Two flat runs and a maiden hurdle at Galway should have helped get him spot on for this contest and the greater the test of stamina, the better. William Buick is a jockey booking which catches the eye too.
Race 2 – 2.25pm York – Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (Group 2)
Shackleton could well prove to be a 2m stayer in the making, while Al Qareem has a fine course record and may now be ready for this marathon distance again. However, barring tactical mishap, this should be straightforward for TRAWLERMAN even if he is conceding 3lb and more all round. The seven-year-old may only be getting better with age, as his stunning seven-length success in the Gold Cup at Ascot last time was likely a career best by some margin. He is now king of the stayers’ ranks and also won on his only journey to York when claiming the Ebor in 2022. There is no reason to oppose him at this juncture.
Race 3 – 3.00pm York – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)
This race has produced the likes of Blue Point and Lake Forest in the past decade, but looks perilously lacking in that sort of quality this season. Do Or Do Not is the form pick, but he is now winless in five and seemed to stall between his last two starts in terms of improvement. One who can step forward enough to beat him this time is EGOLI for Ralph Beckett, who raced down the wrong part of the track at Goodwood in the Richmond Stakes when beaten by all five on the stands side. However, he was first home of his quartet in the centre and is the only previous course and distance winner in the field, with that form from his second start being boosted by the second, and in particular the third, since then.
Race 4 – 3.10pm Newmarket – JenningsBet Fillies’ Handicap
Given that she’s trained by the Gosdens, Swiss Lightning could have a big step forward in her in first-time cheekpieces. However, ARABIAN LEOPARD has been very consistent this season for David Simcock and could be primed to deny her and the hat-trick seeking Angel Shared. The last-named is likely to set a good gallop, which should help the selection as she has won over 7f before. She remains on the same mark off which she was narrowly beaten here two starts ago, and she again ran well at Goodwood when finding the 6f there too sharp.
Race 5 – 3.20pm Ffos Las – Ascona Ladies Chic Fashion Handicap
He would not be one to stake your mortgage on, but WINDSOR PASS is admirably consistent, more or less competing strongly every time he races, despite having a career record of just one win from 40 starts. However, he has run in fields of 11 or more on his last eight starts and has form figures in that time of 43345432. All told, that has ensured he is back down to his last winning mark and against only eight rivals, a number of whose form has plummeted of late, this could be a golden opportunity for a precious second victory.
Race 6- 3.35pm York – Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)
In this big Group 1 field, a lower-half draw could well prove essential. Plenty of front runners have won this in recent seasons with York being one of the easiest 5f trips to hold on over, but there are a number who find leading essential and they could take each other on before setting this up for a closer. As long as she does not get too far behind from the start, MGHEERA holds every chance on early-season form and could overturn Curragh running with Arizona Blaze as that rival is one who could suffer from setting the gallop. Ed Walker’s mare is drawn with the pace, so should get a perfect tow into contention.
Race 7 – 4.10pm York – Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap
There are slightly mixed signals when it comes to the pedigree of Zgharta, so while she has room for improvement, so does WONDER STAR after only four runs. Her maiden victory at Ascot continues to read supremely well, with the runner-up a Listed winner since. The selection has not kicked on to those heights herself, but the daughter of Sea The Stars is learning as she goes along, still taking a keen hold in running. That did not stop her finishing a close second at Goodwood in what might prove a more competitive fillies’ handicap than this one, so a 2lb rise looks defiable, especially if Tom Marquand can get her to settle from stall 11.
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