QUICK STEP STAR
Fans of sprint handicaps are well served this afternoon with the 888sport Charity sprint at York and Musselburgh’s William Hill scottish sprint Cup.
The event on the Knavesmire features a number of upwardly mobile three-year-olds, not least the likes of Udontdodou, acclaim and DANCING STAR (York, nb, 3.35) with narrow preference for the latter, which sneaks into the race at the foot of the handicap.
There was plenty to admire in the selection’s impressive Goodwood success last time, when she sprinted clear of some decent rivals to score in a fast time.
although raised 9lb for that comprehensive win, the reassessment may not be enough to end her winning sequence — the daughter of aqlaam has struck up a terrific association with David Probert, whose figures aboard the filly read 4111.
The rain at York should not inconvenience her either as there was cut in the ground when she won a salisbury handicap on her reappearance and trainer andrew Balding excels at improving fillies of her type.
Udontdodou returns to six furlongs following two impressive wins at the minimum trip this term, while acclaim was far from disgraced in Ireland last time when the race did not quite go to plan.
Both are respected along with show stealer, who clocked a terrific figure at newmarket on her comeback and should be involved but, providing there is some pace on the far side of the track to tow her into the race, Dancing star may prove tough to beat.
The William Hill scottish sprint Cup will be run at a fair pace and racing room will be at a premium. Like many of the field, JUDICIAL (Musselburgh, nap, 3.45) will need some luck in running but he proved at Thirsk last time he is a potent force in strongly run sprints and is a sporting nap today.
Trainer Julie Camacho has her select string in good form and Burtonwood winning a sprint handicap at Beverley on Wednesday suggests her speedsters are firing, which augurs well for the four-year-old’s chances.
Judicial produced a fine burst of speed to overhaul the front-running Red Baron at Thirsk and, although raised 6lb for that victory, his progression does not look to have ceased just yet.
Kimberella is an obvious favourite following his unlucky run at Epsom last week and he is likely to be popular from box no 17 on the stands rail, but Judicial is preferred at his likely doublefigure odds.