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Tanya's Blog - Thursday 23rd August 2012

Fabulous, fearless and frightening is the strength of the betting ring at the Knavesmire. There is nothing like it. Yesterday the ring was itching to lengthen Dundonnell from 2-1 to 9-4 and that it did was extraordinary when substantial five-figure sums came in for Afonso de Sousa at 3-1. Even then it took six-figure sums to shorten that to 11-4! More of the same please today, that’s the buzz and atmosphere I love.

I thought Main Sequence did well in the Great Voltiguer and he’ll still be my bet in the Ladbrokes St Leger. If only he was hustled up earlier yesterday he may well have got to Thought Worthy and William Buick. The 14-1 each-way with the sponsors for the oldest classic for Main Sequence looks grand.

There was a blow to punters early doors this morning when Blessington was taken out due to his bruised foot, but it has subsequently been repaid by the bucket load with Motivado just scraping into the Ebor at 19 of the 20 runners. That Sir Mark Prescott is a genius.

As for today other than the withdrawal of Blessington it is a big day for John Gosden and he’s known how to shine all this season so it should present no fears. Exchange layers have always been loathe to go odds-against Newfangled and I sense she will be hard to beat so I am going to avoid that race.

Instead I fancy taking on The Fugue with Coquet, who I thought ought to have won the Oaks but for a clearer run. While much of the focus was on The Fugue’s tale of woe at Epsom most missed Hughie Morrison’s filly’s traffic problems. She hasn’t run since and now the going is right and the time is right. Robert Havlin is back on board, with commitment to make amends to what should have been.

As one of the growing members of the Michael J M Murphy fan club plus the bonus he is on course specialist Navajo Chief today the pair must be supported in 3.05. The horse won the race twelve months ago and should have a good chance of doubling up.

The other speculative selection has to be Well Acquainted in the first. Clive Cox is in such a rich vein of form and low draw is quite often advantageous in the sprints so here’s hoping.

Today's Selections:

2.00 York Well Acquainted

3.05 York Navajo Chief

3.40 York Coquet

Tanya's Pointers

York 2pm:
Seven of the last ten winners of York’s 2.00 have come from double figure stalls
Five of the last ten favourites have won York’s 2.00

Lowther Stakes:
Six of the last eight winners of the Lowther had run at Royal Ascot
Eight of the last 10 winners of the Lowther had run at least three times prior

York 3.05pm:
The last ten winners of York’s 3.05 have been aged either 3 or 4
Seven of the last nine winners of York’s 3.05 carried 8-11 or more.

Yorkshire Oaks:
Five of the last ten favourites have won the Yorkshire Oaks
The biggest priced winner of the Yorkshire Oaks in the last ten years is 13-2