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Angus McNae - Saturday 3rd August 2013

York can bid for Glory in Stewards’

The Turftrax sectionals on Friday do not provide us with any startling revelations, but there are some observations that need airing. Firstly let's have a look at the opening contest, won by Forgotten Voice and Johnny Murtagh.

This was a top class ride, a classic example of how to deliver a horse late in a race with enough energy to run faster than his rivals where it really matters.

Mindful of possible stamina limitations Murtagh sat off the early pace that was a good one.

Often in this scenario jockeys are keen to make their move three or even four furlongs out to fulfil the bogus concept that they gave the horse every chance.

In fact in doing so they are invariably giving it no chance. Murtagh was prepared to wait here until after the two-furlong pole. The figures show that between the three and two furlong pole Murtagh was happy to record a split that was only quicker than one of his five rivals, but over the final two furlongs he was quicker than all of them.

A finishing kick of 11.09 and 12.07 blew his rivals away. Fractions that if they had been employed earlier in the race would have ruined Forgotten Voice's chance of winning. Great stuff from Murtagh.

The King George Stakes was run at a furious pace and two horses paid for going too quickly on the downhill section of the course between the four pole and the three. Both Tickled Pink and Masamah seemed to compromise their chances by rattling through this furlong in 9.83s and 9.84s respectively. This makes the performance of Justineo all the more meritorious because over the same section of the track he clocked 9.95s yet still managed to finish third. He is clearly a sprinter to keep on the right side of.

Not many horses complete the Wokingham / Stewards' Cup double but there is a chance that York Glory could do just that. He has shaped as if he had a big race or two in him before his win at Royal Ascot and in that race his cruising speed and the authority with which he won marked him out as being a horse with another big handicap in him. I think he is worth backing each-way from a low draw that is probably an advantage.

Angus's Saturday selection: 

3.50 Goodwood - York Glory each-way at 11-1 with Bet Victor