Sharkboy is tipped to strike in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York, with the three-year-old expected to relish the step up to 1m6f for the first time.
The Willie Mullins-trained colt has had only four starts and looks well treated on his handicap debut form, having been narrowly beaten by progressive Madbadanddangerous in a competitive contest at the Galway Festival last month.
The prospect of a strongly-run race over this longer trip, with cheekpieces on for the first time, is seen as ideal. A 1pt each-way bet at 12-1 is suggested, with Sky Bet paying out on six places.
Mr Hollywood Ebor hope
Mullins also holds a strong chance of winning the Ebor Handicap for the third time in four years with Mr Hollywood, who runs in the 3.35 at York.
Mr Hollywood was a smart middle-distance performer in Germany a couple of years ago, finishing runner-up in the German Derby before running in the Arc de Triomphe. There was plenty to like about his third in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot – his only Flat run for Mullins – and he won nicely over hurdles at Galway last month.
A 1pt each-way bet at 12-1 is advised, with Sky Bet offering seven places.
Other selections at York and Chester
King Of Earth is the pick in the opener at 1.50, despite being priced up purely on his official handicap rating. The William Haggas-trained three-year-old won a hot Curragh handicap last time out in the manner of a rapidly-improving horse and is now thrown into the Group 3 Strensall Stakes. He is bred to be well up to this level as a Kingman half-brother of Group 1 winner King Of Change. A 1pt each-way bet at 33-1 is suggested, with plenty of bookies going four places.
Toca Madera travelled smoothly but saw too much daylight when third in the sprint handicap on the opening day of York’s Ebor Festival on Wednesday. He showed he can handle a quick turnaround when fifth in the Stewards’ Cup just four days after running well in an earlier handicap at Glorious Goodwood. This sharp 6f looks ideal, with a 1pt each-way bet at 12-1 advised and a couple of firms offering six places.
Course specialist Vixey is the best bet on Chester’s card at 2.05, having won twice and been runner-up twice from four visits to the track. A 1pt each-way bet at 20-1 is suggested, with most bookies going four places.
