Who’ll win at York Races? Tips for the First Saturday 2019

After the frantic activity of the Dante meeting, Knavesmire gets back to a more relaxed atmosphere today with the First Saturday meeting of the year.

Our resident tipster, Dick Turpin has only just returned from a week-long tour of the city’s hostelries following his seven-winner haul over the three day-meeting. So what is the old rogue suggesting for punters today?

I’ve had a week to look at today’s racing in the greatest depth, plus some helpful suggestions from two of my informants from top Yorkshire yards, writes Turpin.

So, I’m even more confident than usual that I can keep ahead of the bookies today. Not only that, but manageable fields in most races should give punters a fair chance, except the difficult-to-pick-a-winner, 19-runner sprint handicap at 3.45… and the going looks set to remain good to firm, so there should be true-run contests with no freakish surprises.

The Bronte Cup (3.05) is the highlight, with nine declared for the stamina test over nearly 1m6f. John Gosden’s stable is buzzing at the moment. No one has started the season in better form – and Enbihaar looks set to continue his fine start, having impressed, making all at Goodwood, earlier in the month.

The extra two furlongs should suit this granddaughter of Trempolino, at the main expense of Andrew Balding’s Maid Up. Progressive Alexana represents good each-way value for longshot backers.

For punters with nerves of steel, the Sprint Handicap (3.45), as ever, promises to be the most exciting race of the day. But with 19 runners, it is likely to be a lottery. However, Turpin remains undaunted. My 10-1 selection last year, El Astronaute, was pipped by Mr Laughton by a head.

Now he’s back again, this time with promising 5lb claimer Dylan Hogan up. At least a dozen of the rest could stake a claim, notably, last week’s winner, Copper Knight, and Leodis Dream. Australia-trained Gold Coast winner Acqume represents prolific Down Under maestro Toby Edmonds, and could just be the surprise package of the field. Small stakes only.

You have been warned.

The final race (5.25) brings last year’s winner of this 7f contest, Magic City, back to defend his crown. Mick Easterby’s ten-year-old is bottom of the handicap, off a weight half a stone lighter than his 20-1 win.

There’s an added weight bonus, with a 5lb claimer aboard – and a strong stable pointer in that he was switched from a Pontefract run yesterday (Friday) to tackle this challenge instead. He’s the selection, but perhaps best backed each-way (grab the 8-1 while you can). Chepstow winner Sir Roderic is a clear danger.

And those two local suggestions?

First, we hear good things from the O’Meara yard in Helmsley about progressive Makawee in the mile and a half handicap at 2.35.

Finally, consider War Storm (4.15), whose debut third at Wolverhampton suggested a bright career is in prospect. Though not a local stable, the information comes from my trusted local source.

Turpin’s tips