Five horses to follow at York on Saturday

Tipster: Donn McClean.

Best odds: 12-1.

Sharkeyboy could be an interesting contender for the Melrose Handicap on Saturday.

Willie Mullins’ horse hasn’t won yet, but he was only just beaten in a one-mile maiden at Leopardstown at the back-end of last season, and he ran a big race in a good three-year-olds’ handicap at Galway run over an extended 12 furlongs on his second run this season.

Settled in mid-division early on that day by Billy Lee, he made good progress on the outside around the home turn, and he stayed on well up the hill, just giving best late on to the progressive Madbadanddangerous. The winner went into the race in a roll, after winning the Ulster Derby on his previous run, and the third horse, Vantage Code, won a qualified riders’ handicap back at Galway four days later by 12 lengths.

A 4lb hike for that run was reasonable.  It was just his fourth run, so he has lots of scope for progression.  Also, it was a career-best performance by some way, racing over the longest trip over which he had ever raced and, out of a mare who won over a mile and a half and from the family of Gold Cup third and Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon, there is every chance that he can improve again for the step up to a mile and six furlongs.

The first and third from the Galway race also hold entries in the Melrose, and both would be of obvious interest if they take up those entries, but it may be that Sharkeyboy has the greater scope for progression and he would be meeting both of those rivals on more advantageous terms.

Tipster: Graham Clark.

Best odds: 20-1.

Conditions on turf have yet to fall the way of Marvelman in order for him to show his best, but he could finally have his moment in the sun.

The son of Invincible Spirit’s best performance last year came on soft ground up at Doncaster in the Group Two Park Stakes, and with all the rain that has hit York this week that brings him into contention. 

Although he has been unable to replicate that performance, his run in defeat on quick ground last time out behind Lake Forest in the Group Two Lennox Stakes was adequate enough to think with the right conditions he could turn the tables. 

Andrew Balding has his string in fine form, and although Marvelman has work to do on the ratings, he could represent some value.

Tipster: RaceiQ nap of the day (Andy Stephens).

Best odds: 11-1.

Hopewell Rock showed all the qualities needed to win an Ebor when scoring at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago.

He relished moving up to over 1m 6f for the first time and broke the course record, winning in a time 4.66sec quicker than the RaceiQ Par. That earned him a Time Index score of 10 when the meeting average was 7.

Hopewell Rock put his stamp on things by being quickest through furlongs 12 and 13, with his jockey suggesting afterwards he would have won with more authority had he hit the front a little later. Trawlerman won that race en route to Ebor glory in 2022 and Sweet William almost pulled off the double 12 months later.

The runner-up, Small Fry, franked the form when winning easily at York on Wednesday, and Hopewell Rock is 1lb well in despite having a 4lb penalty to shoulder.

He generally races in mid-division and the data tells us runners exceed market expectations when ridden in such a way in similar races at the track (A/E is 1.32).

We could get an inflated price, too, because James Doyle, Wathnan’s No 1 jockey, has opted to partner Opportunity, having optd to ride Hopewell Rock over him at Royal Ascot.

Tipster: Andy Stephens.

Best odds: 9-4.

Adonius is a speedy two-year-old who chased home Pershaada in the Molecomb last time after winning his first three races.

He’s a long strider who is usually soon at the head of affairs and the data tells us that, historically, the leaders are heavily favoured here with their A/E being a glowing 2.16. The A/E for those who race in the rear is just 0.48.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 9-2.

Ger Lyons had primed this gelding perfectly for his recent outing at Goodwood and his physical wellbeing exuded through the television screen.

However, he suffered Goodwood’s cruel side and was denied a run for most of the straight, and went past the post passing several horses easily despite not having been let down fully.

On a much more conventional track and in a race that should be run to suit, I expect Diego El Queso to get a much clearer run through.

The five-year-old is probably better suited by cut in the ground than several of his rivals and the trip is ideal.