Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Pace of the race to suit Hoyam

Will Hoyam thunder up the York straight this afternoon?

Timeform Radio's Jamie Lynch selects one from York and one from Newmarket as his best bets from this afternoon's action...

Pace is arguably the most significant factor in determining the outcome of races. There was plenty of pace on when Hoyam was second in the Queen Mary (over five furlongs) at Royal Ascot - the best form on offer in this field - and there was little pace on (over six furlongs) when Hoyam disappointed on the face of it at Ascot last time.

There will be plenty of pace on today. Cosmic Chatter and Fire Eyes, the pair ahead of Hoyam in the market, both made the running for their wins, while Lucky Beggar and Lady Ibrox also have a history of going from the front. It should all make for a scenario that plays much more to Hoyam's strength than the Princess Margaret did when she found herself in front after a furlong, and if she came here straight from the Queen Mary then she'd be outright favourite. I'd be all the more confident if Michael Bell wasn't on a losing run of 28, but even so, given how the race is likely to pan out, Hoyam is still well worth backing at 4.3100/30 in the 16:15.

Generally speaking, I tend to ignore Brighton form, or at least treat it in isolation, but it's hard to ignore a seven-length winner who clocked as good a time as Hajam did. Like most from rookie trainer James Tate's stable, Hajam has really come to himself recently, and the figures involved in his improved performance at Brighton suggests he can deal with a mark of 92 for his nursery debut at Newmarket in the 14:20 this afternoon.

It's not all about Brighton, either, as Hajam had shaped well on his debut in a maiden which involved both the Richmond winner (and Gimcrack runner-up) Heavy Metal and Supreme Stakes second Birdman, and Hajam, who cost 70,000 guineas as a yearling, boasts a useful pedigree, his listed-placed dam likely to have passed on enough stamina for him to be just as good at seven furlongs as the six furlongs of the Brighton race.

Recommended Bets

Back Hoyam @ 4.3100/30 16:15 York
Back Hajam @ 6.611/2 14:20 Newmarket