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Rest of York card summary

Once again, it's a solid support card at York and William Kedjanyi, @keejayOV, has focused on the more attractive betting races.

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Betfred 'Supports Jack Berry House' Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (4YO plus) (2.10)

Lexington Abbey was a bitter disappointment when caught on the outside of the field at Pontefract last time, but deserves to be forgiven for that effort and can go well here. Second twice here last year over 5 and 6 furlongs, he steadily kept improving and was often coming too late in decent sprint contests last year, including when flying to beat nearly all of the field on his return in a strong Doncaster contest at the Lincoln meeting, flattening out only in the last furlong. Drawn around plenty of pace, including Tangerine Trees, he can make a bold bid today. Everything would appear to have gone just right for Monsieur Joe, running off the same mark as when landing this last year, and he is just the second name of the longlist which also included Demora, a disappointment on her return in a listed Bath contest but a high class performer last season, Out Do, dropping to this trip for the first time, and the veteran Judge and Jury, who has a fine mark if showing his best – his form figures in this read 54130.

Advice: 1 pt each-way Lexington Abbey (10/1 Sportingbet, 9/1 general)

Betfred Middleton Stakes (Fillies' Group 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus) (2.40)

This is a fine renewal of this Group 2 contest and Bragging, having taken a strong renewal of the Dhalia at Newmarket, can continue her progression. Sir Michael Soute’s filly, a winner of a smart handicap in style here before finishing runner up in the Sceptre Stakes on her final start last season, was helped by the disappointments of Fintry and Rizzena at Newmarket but still strode out very strongly to catch and pass Kleo in a manner that suggested the step up in trip today would be very much up her street, and with that run under her belt, she should hopefully take a great deal of beating for a stable whose runners are coming forward greatly from their debuts this season.

Very progressive through all of last season, Belle D’or didn’t get the best of runs when third at Newmarket and may actually be the main danger despite the presence of two high class performers in Ribbons and Secret Gesture. John Gosden’s charge showed tenacity when landing the Coral Distaff at Sandown last season and the same attitude nearly prevailed once again when a close second in the Rosemary Stakes before her fine return from a winter break. She should have been closer to Bragging but still needs to find improvement to overturn the tables today.

Ribbons improved hand over fist last season, making amends for an unlucky defeat when well backed for an Ascot handicap over a mile with a convincing win in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville and then improving once again to be a fine second in the Prix de l’Opera on Arc day despite failing to get a run until late. She rates the main danger here, having won first time out for the last three years, and a 3lbs penalty won’t prevent her from making a bold bid for all that it’s a slight advantage for the rest of the field. She looks to be the way to go for each/way players.

Secret Gesture was second in this before having a productive season, although she was well behind Ribbons in the Romaney before being found a little flat footed when fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf when Dayatthespa nipped off the front there. She should also be upto going well and goes well fresh too.

Madame Chiang is a very useful horse, but one who almost certainly needs soft ground and probably further than this, especially with a 3lbs penalty, so other targets look more suitable, and while Odeliz was third in this race last season, she and Talmada, Lily Rules, and Lady Tiana all look overmatched.

Advice: 3 pts win Bragging (15/8 general)

British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes (Listed) (Class 1) (3YO only) (4.20)

Tendu is the odds on favourite on the basis of her proximity to Limato at Ascot and should go well, but dropping to 5 furlongs is the big question for her given how well she stayed on that, although with a better start she should take rank. Don’t discount the chances of Strath Burn, who found the ground far too firm for him at Ascot but handles a good surface and has a serious chance on his two year old form. He looks a fair value play while Profitable also catches the eye after getting no run on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot.

Advice: Strath Burn (7/1 Sportingbet)

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