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 | 1pt e.w Van Ellis in 15.10 York at 20/1 (General 1/4 1,2,3,4) | Worth a chance at a big price now dropped back in trip to an ideal distance. |
The Bond Tyres Trophy Handicap (York 15.10) is always a ferociously competitive three-year-old sprint and the market is headed by Roger Charlton's filly Priceless Jewel, a well-bred daughter of Selkirk who has won two of her three starts so far.
She was a ready winner at Kempton on her latest start and she's gone up 5lbs for that but the form looks strong as Galician and Safari Sunseeker who dead-heated behind her have prospered since.
Of course the rain that is falling on the Knavesmire looks set to change things and Priceless Jewel is so far unproven on any ground any softer than Good to Firm.
So the ground may be an unknown with her but being a daughter of Selkirk she may well go on conditions with a bit more give.
There's a few key formlines in this race. Bartolemeu is one who comes into it and has form with several of his rivals and he was second behind Mince who is trained by Priceless Jewel's handler Roger Charlton.
Perhaps Charlton will have a guide to the strength of Bartolemeu and others through Mince as Top Cop was third and Tioman Legend was fifth in what was a bunched finish at Newmarket.
Another key formline involves Glen Moss and Three Am Tour who were second and third respectively behind Hamza at Haydock.
Glen Moss could well be suited by the drop back in distance to six furlongs and again that looks like quite strong form.
However, I'm going to take a chance on a horse trained by Mark Johnston, VAN ELLIS, who really caught the eye first time out this season when fifth in a big field at Newmarket.
He showed a lot of speed that day and then won at Dundalk over seven furlongs, but seven furlongs on turf might be far enough for him and over that trip and a bit more at Chester last time he didn't quite get home.
He's really interesting dropping back to six furlongs if he can show the same sort of speed that he showed at HQ.
A promising horse, I think connections probably got it wrong with him with regards to his distance and with Italian rider Mirco Demuro in the plate, Van Ellis is a speculative selection at a good price.
