Our columnist has four runners at York on Friday including Hartswood - he talks us through each horse's chances.
2.45 Friday - ESCAPE ROUTE
He’s a good hardy horse who’s grown and done very well. He stepped up from his maiden to finish third behind Tactical in the July Stakes at Newmarket last time. It’s harsh on him to think he might be second string for us but on work he wouldn’t beat Rhythm Master. His form is good and you’d imagine he’ll improve again though.
He’s had another away day in the build-up to this, he’s quite a relaxed colt and a bit of a playboy and will be a better horse as he gets races under his belt. Expect another good run from him.
4.15 Friday - AL RASMAH
She’s a filly we like and hand on heart has been very disappointing. I’m sure she’s a pattern filly, her work is good and the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap looks absolutely ideal for her. Let’s hope she gets a bit of luck and starts winning races here.
4.50 Friday - HARTSWOOD
A good, hardy, horse who is a son of Garswood. If it was too quick I wouldn’t run him but that seems unlikely given the forecast and he beat another horse of ours, Tadleel, here last time. He’s improving all the time. He came off the bridle early last time and what won him the race there was staying. I think he’ll run a big one here.
4.50 Friday - DUESENBERG
I was a little disappointed with his run at Newmarket last time but the ground was quite quick there and that wouldn’t play to his strengths.
We’re finding some of these horses are taking a while to run into form. They’ve been in training since January and have hardly raced and on the odd run they’re complacent because they’ve not been competitive.
It’s like any sports person unless you’re competing the whole time you just lose that edge. Hopefully the run the last day will just spark him up as he’d been working fine before that Newmarket run.