UNCLE MICK CAN WIN IT WITH FRANKIE
TIM EASTERBY has made a habit of landing York’s Catherine Kinloch Paver Memorial Macmillan Handicap and the Yorkshire trainer could hold a strong hand again courtesy of this week’s Pontefract scorer Golden Apollo.
Two of the last four renewals have fallen the way of Easterby, but the apprentice may have to defer to the master on the Knavesmire today as his uncle Mick appears to boast an outstanding candidate in the shape of CARLTON FRANKIE (York, 3.30). Connections of the Equiano filly earmarked the valuable three-year-old prize from an early point of the season.
They were unsurprisingly keen for her to win at Redcar and Nottingham in order to rise sufficiently in the ratings to qualify.
The handicapper played his part by handing the selection an 8lb increase for her smooth success at Colwick Park and, although she has a couple of questions to answer because she is stepping up in trip and tackling a different class of rival, her experience of the track will stand her in good stead.
Of her rivals, Ekhtiyaar landed a sizeable gamble when obliging at Newmarket and looks likely to dominate the market given the power of connections and his profile.
The Roger Varian stable are in good form with two winners at Sandown yesterday and there is a chance that he remains a sprinter to be reckoned with. But connections plunged Carlton Frankie into a Listed event on her debut so clearly felt they had a very talented filly from an early stage. The nap vote goes the way of
GREAT FIGHTER (Musselburgh, nap, 3.45) who could well find further progression now that he tackles two miles on the level.
Jim Goldie’s gelding has made giant strides under both codes since being equipped with the visor and was impressive at today’s venue three weeks ago when powering home to win in a fast time.