The 3yo sprint heritage handicap at York this afternoon has attracted a maximum field of 22 runners. York is a racecourse that delivers on quality competitive racing time after time.
I guess with a winners purse of £51,540 this is a valuable prize for 3yo’s outside of pattern class company. Anyways, it’s a cracking race and hopefully we can land on the winner.
Quinault arrives here in tremendous form after banging in four wins in a row! He is very fast and handles quick ground so no issue there at York tomorrow. His latest two wins over 6f at Newmarket have impressed me. I thought he was value for beating Washington Heights by a length last time out when challenged by the runner up. The handicapper has raised him 5lbs to a mark of 85 so he is 4lbs worse off against the Kevin Ryan Washington Heights. Trainer Stuart Williams has booked Connor Planas to claim off 5lbs, thus negating the 5lb hike. Luke Catton missed out on the ride at Newmarket due to the low weight and the same applies here with Quinault due to carry 8-5. He is drawn high and will take catching on fast ground.
Pure Angel is well drawn beside the likely pace setting Quinault. I liked the way Pure Angel ran on her first run of the season at Goodwood last month. The ground was quick and she showed he could lay up with the speedsters and manage to come through to take second place. Pure Angel looks nicely handicapped on a mark of 86 with this race no doubt her early season target. Last season she looked a winner at Haydock when taking the lead, a furlong from home, only to tire near the line on good to soft ground. That extra bit of stamina should be there as a 3yo and her Dam is by Dark Angel whose progeny improve with time.
Of the rest there are loads of danger and some unexposed lightly raced sorts likes Rabaah. Washington Heights goes well at his local track for trainer Kevin Ryan. Tim Easterby loves to target one at this race and Spirit of Applause looks his best chance today.
York 3:40
0.5 point each way Quinault 6/1 generally with bookies offering 6 places & BOG.
0.5 point each way Pure Angel 14/1 generally with bookies offering 6 places & BOG.
Best of Luck, Nicky
