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York 2009 |
Goldie Hopes River Falcon Can Swoop in Sky Bet Dash
22/07/09
Jim Goldie’s in-form sprinter River Falcon bids for a fourth victory on the Knavesmire in the £50,000 Sky Bet Dash Heritage Handicap (3.45pm) at York on Saturday, July 25, the second and concluding day of the racecourse’s fantastic Music Showcase Weekend.
River Falcon is a 14/1 shot with Sky Bet for the prestigious six-furlong contest following a fine effort at Ayr on July 20. The nine-year-old finished third to current Sky Bet Dash 10/1 co-favourite Pavershooz in the Giles Insurance Heritage Handicap over five furlongs at the Scottish track but “won” the race on the stands’ side.
Goldie revealed today: “I was pleased that River Falcon ran so well - I’d have been happier if he had won, of course. At least he thought he had won a race because he put his head in front on that side.”
River Falcon, who failed by an agonising short-head to land the Portland Handicap at Doncaster last term, is seeking his first victory since winning at York in August, 2007.
The gelding’s trainer continued: “He is a frustrating horse but he has only had one bad run this year and that was in the Gosforth Park Sprint. His form has been very level and he has run a good race each time.
“He has won three times at York and he loves the place. I don’t know if he loves six furlongs at York but he loves the track. His optimum trip is five and a half furlongs and unfortunately there is only one suitable race in the whole year and that is the Portland.
“The plan is to go to the Sky Bet Dash and after that we will look towards the Portland, in which he was short-headed last year.
“He is a straight-forward horse. He is probably too consistent. I don’t want to sound critical - if he was inconsistent, he would probably drop down the handicap and win but he always runs to a mark of about 93, 94 or 95 and the handicapper always knows exactly where he is. That means he is prone to improvers but he is obviously a talent and is a pleasure to deal with.”
The Richard Fahey-trained Knot In Wood is currently 10/1 co-favourite of four with Sky Bet, along with the Kevin Ryan-trained Roker Park, Striking Spirit from the Dandy Nicholls yard and the Noel Wilson-trained Pavershooz.
The Sky Bet Dash is one of the highlights of Sky Bet Day at York. The tremendous seven-race card, sponsored exclusively by Sky Bet, features the £100,000 Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes (3.10pm) over 10 furlongs, which has attracted a high-class entry that includes the Luca Cumani-trained Curtain Call, as well as Godolphin’s Group One winner Kirklees.
Final declarations for Saturday’s card will be made on Thursday, July 23.
Sky Bet Dash - Latest Sky Bet Prices:
Knot In Wood 10/1, Pavershooz 10/1, Roker Park 10/1, Striking Spirit 10/1, Sonny Red 11/1, Harrison George 12/1, Something 12/1, Valery Borzov 12/1, Baunagain 12/1, Cheveton 14/1, Aldermoor 14/1, Kerrys Requiem 14/1, Kostar 14/1, Northern Dare 14/1, River Falcon 14/1, Rowayton 14/1, Tabaret 14/1, Biniou 14/1, Everymanforhimself 16/1, Filligree 16/1, Global City 16/1, Hogmaneigh 16/1, Mullein 16/1, Al Khaleej 16/1, Servoca 16/1, Spitfire 16/1, Tajneed 16/1, Kaldoun Kingdom 20/1, Pusey Street Lady 20/1, Thebes 20/1, Barney McGrew 20/1, Viking Spirit 20/1, Able Master 22/1, Burnwynd Boy 25/1, Capucci 25/1, Esteem Machine 25/1, Excusez Moi 25/1, Favourite Girl 25/1, Intrepid Jack 25/1, Perfect Flight 25/1, Artistic License 25/1, Shotley Mac 25/1, Barons Spy 25/1, Bond City 25/1, Chjimes 33/1, Damika 33/1, Klynch 33/1, Proclaim 33/1, Sea of Leaves 33/1, Vhujon 33/1, Ajigolo 40/1 Each Way terms: 1/4 of odds for 1st 4 places
Sky Bet York Stakes - Latest Sky Bet Prices:
Kirklees 3/1, Perfect Stride 7/1, Stotsfold 7/1, Tazeez 7/1, Curtain Call 7/1, Monitor Closely 9/1, High Heeled 10/1, Allied Powers 12/1, Court Canibal 12/1, Traffic Guard 14/1, Tranquil Tiger 14/1, Trincot 14/1, Firebet 14/1, Jukebox Jury 14/1, Wasan 16/1, Muhannak 20/1, Kings Gambit 20/1, Halicarnassus 25/1, Lady Jane Digby 25/1, Smokey Oakey 33/1, Macorville 66/1 Each Way terms: 1/5 of odds for 1st 3 places
GOING UPDATE
The latest going at York is GOOD TO SOFT.
William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course at York racecourse, reported this morning: “The going is currently good to soft with a going stick reading of 6.7. We had no rain overnight but one millimetre fell on the course yesterday. It is forecast to be cool and cloudy over the next few days and there could be passing showers.
“Saturday is forecast to be sunny and dry with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius.”
