York Tues 21 Aug - and £500 Challenge

The handicaps are horrors so let's stick to the group races.

York 2:00
Septimus 13/8
Sergeant Cecil 7/2
Distinction 9/2
Balkan Knight 16/1
Percussionist 16/1
Anna Pavlova 16/1

O'Brien really good at stepping these horses up in trip so whatever happens I'll be saving on the favourite. Not sure what Sergeant Cecil has done to be such a big price though – 13/2ish. The penalty is a problem, but the two Ascot races are forgiveable. Both factors are in my prices as far as I'm concerned. The weakness this morning warns of something amiss – Evens in the place market – which given his course record looks huge.

York 2:35
Yellowstone 3/1
Lucarno 3/1
Mahler 9/2
Boscobel 11/1
Macarthur 12/1
Acapulco 16/1

O'Brien could play all manner of games here so not one to be dogmatic about. Not sure what Mahler has done to be so short though. Lucarno stands out on price like a sore thumb at 5/1, again worryingly weak to someone like me on a long losing run and confidence in tatters! Again odds against in the place market looks generous!

York 3:10
Dylan Thomas 5/2
Notnowcato 5/2
Authorised 5/2
Asiatic Boy 8/1
Duke of Marmalade 20/1

I was impressed by Asiatic Boy's last run and will keep an eye on the ground here – notable that Corals are longest though. For the life of me I don't know what Notnowcato's got to do to be taken seriously. He's already beaten these and has the course form. I have to play at 7/2 ish. And I know it's only 7 runners but again odds against in the place market is very eye catching.

£500 Challenge
This could be the day we throw all the profits away!

Sergeant Cecil £3 win at 13/2+, and £9 place at evens+

Lucarno £3 win at 5/1 and £9 place at evens+

Notnowcato £3 win at 7/2 and £9 place at evens+

£1.50 win treble.

Running Total

£532.25