WORLD NEEDS LUCK IN CUP
WHEN you’re drawn on the wide outside of 19 runners for one of the big handicaps of the season, you’re going to be relying on a large slice of luck.
I might be getting my excuses in early but MASTER THE WORLD (3.40) has been given a very tricky draw in the John Smith’s Cup Handicap at York.
That’s a shame as I really like the look of the horse. He’s a class act, winning the Winter Derby at Lingfield in February and taking fourth in the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket last time. He’s top weight for a reason.
I do like David’s other runner, Dash Of Spice. He was an impressive winner of the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and will take all the beating.
Earlier on the card, our good friend, GET KNOTTED (3.10), is back out again at his favourite track when he lines up for the John Smith’s Racing Handicap.
He’s stepping back up to a mile, a trip he was third over at the Ebor Festival three years ago, and it was a toss-up between this race and a six-furlong handicap at Ascot.
He ran into a good one at York last time so it was no disgrace getting closest to Above The Rest, who has gone on to win at Group Three level. As always, he’ll be in the shake-up and I would never put anyone off backing him at York.
My other ride is LINCOLN PARK (4.50), who I highlighted as a two-year-old to watch prior to his fourth at York last month. He was 33-1 that day but I was confident he would outrun those odds and he was only beaten two and a half lengths. Trainer Tony Coyle has always rated him and he’ll improve again. He runs in the John Smith’s Novice Median Auction Stakes and is all speed.
The big race of the day is the Darley July Cup at Newmarket and, while I think Blue Point, the impressive Royal Ascot winner, is the one to beat, I think Sands Of Mali has an each-way shout at around 8-1.
He was an excellent second in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and I reckon there’s more improvement to come.