There are so many races on ITV this Saturday that it's easy for punters to get lost in the action, but don't miss York's fantastic card which features the historic John Smith's Cup (15:45).
Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway is back with his best bets on the Knavesmire and reckons that there could be an upset in the City Walls Stakes (15:12).
Saturday's York Horse Racing Betting Tips
14:39 York - Cosi Bello @ 7/2
15:12 York - Heavenly Heather @ 7/1
15:45 York - Raammee @ 11/2
14:39 York - Cosi Bello @ 7/2
The mile handicap at York provides a good opportunity for the progressive Cosi Bello to get back to winning ways. He was last seen at Royal Ascot and finished down the field, but that wasn’t a bad run given he beat 18 of his 27 rivals and came in less than six lengths behind the winner that day.
A reproduction of that form would give Cosi Bello a chance and he had previously been progressive. His best effort came at Haydock in April when he kept on strongly to beat the promising Sarab Star by a head and it’s worth noting that he is only 2lb higher than that here, so remains well handicapped.
Paddy Bradley has ridden Cosi Bello on both of his last two starts and there should be further improvement to come from the Charlie Fellowes-trained runner on only his seventh start.
Quick ground suits Cosi Bello well and stepping back up to a mile might also be what is needed to unlock his potential. He has looked strong at the finish over 7f on his last two starts and stays well.
15:12 York - Heavenly Heather @ 7/1
The City Walls Stakes is a competitive Listed race but the one to back is Heavenly Heather, who has taken her form to another level on her last two starts and appears to be right at her best now.
Heavenly Heather was unlucky not to win a course-and-distance handicap in May. She showed lots of speed that day and led home the big group on the far side of the course, but simply couldn’t catch the winner, Jakajaro. He had stormed up the middle of the course and that proved the best place to be.
Heavenly Heather went on to contest the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and she recorded a huge career best. She was beaten only a length and a half by the winner Mission Central and beat 20 of her 25 rivals in that Group 1. A reproduction of that form in this weaker race will do it.
The fact that Heavenly Heather has run so well at this track before is a massive plus and she is thriving. It’s well worth taking a chance on her springing a surprise at what should be a fair price.
15:45 York - Raammee @ 11/2
The John Smith’s Cup is the big handicap of the weekend and one of the best races of its type in the entire season. The one to back is Raammee, who has been brought along slowly by Roger Varian and might now be ready to peak following an excellent second at Sandown on his last start.
Raammee was beaten only half a length on that occasion by the smart performer Beagle Bay and he settled better than he had on his reappearance that day to produce a career best. The front two pulled well clear of the rest, but the selection gave the impression that he found things happening too quick.
That suggests stepping up two and a half furlongs in trip might be ideal for this son of Persian King and he has escaped any rise in the weights for his Sandown second. He could therefore look extremely well treated if he can make the improvement that is expected for the longer distance.
The Varian team often targets this race and won it two years ago with Enfjaar. This has therefore probably been the plan for a long time for Raammee and he can give the stable another big win.
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Tipster's Recent Winners
Graeme Rodway was in superb form for bet365 readers at Royal Ascot when advising bets on 25/1 winner Almeraq and 9/2 scorer Double Rush.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
