York Placepot: Friday May 17

It is Yorkshire Cup day at York on Friday.

Timeform's Matt Gardner tackles the Placepot on the final day of York's Dante meeting...

13:45 - Having made an early exit in a poor Placepot attempt on Wednesday I'm determined that the same will not happen today, so a trio of juveniles will be included in our perm. The first to make the cut is Beldale Memory, who impressed when making a winning debut ta Bath last month and rates as a useful prospect, whilst Hoku, who had excuses on debut when third to the reopposing Quatuor at Windsor, is also included. The final selection is the Richard Fahey-trained Heskin, who is bred to be useful and promises to achieve more with her debut experience under her belt having displayed plenty of greenness at Pontefract in April. 

14:15 - Sir John Hawkwood almost certainly has more to offer, particularly at a mile and a half, but his somewhat up-and-down profile makes little appeal with regards to the Placepot so we shall instead side with Easy Terms and King's Warrior. The first mentioned is a largely consistent mare who produced a career-best to win this race last year; she has shaped well in a couple of outings this term and seems sure to give a good account. King's Warrior is lightly-raced for one of his age but clearly has plenty of ability, improving when a decisive winner of the John Smith's Cup in July. His best form has come with cut in the ground so, with conditions on the Knavesmire in his favour, he is difficult to discount. 

14:45 - With standard-setter, and likely banker, Cavalryman an absentee the one that makes most appeal in the Yorkshire Cup is French-raider Top Trip, trained by Francois Doumen. The four-year-old boasts plenty of smart form having landed a Group 2 last year and performed respectably in several quality races, particularly when fifth to Imperial Monarch in the Grand Prix de Paris; he will stay this far and is of definite interest. 

15:15 - Pavlosk created a good impression when making a winning debut at Newbury last month but preference is for one with slightly more experience, namely Senafe. The three-year-old has improved with each outing, has form on rain-softened ground and made an encouraging return at Kempton last time, finishing second to subsequent French 1000 Guineas fourth Zurigha. Senafe is likely to improve again and can be selected as a banker with three places to aim at. 

16:25 - Moviesta has to prove himself on this easier ground but he appeals as being an upwardly mobile sprinter and is one that we certainly want on side in the penultimate leg. His Doncaster success last month was particularly impressive, with the three-year-old travelling noticeable smoothly throughout, and he could improve further still. Also going into the perm is the Ed McMahon-trained Secret Look, whose best form has come on ground softer than good and was unlucky not to finish closer on his return at Nottingham last time. 

16:25 - Rye House is a fairly obvious selection in the final leg, with the four-year-old expected to improve plenty this season, although given the nature of this race he doesn't quite rate as banker material. It's worth taking a chance on the Mick Easterby-trained Barren Brook as a spot of back-up, with the six-year-old well handicapped having performed below expectations more often than not last term. He ought to strip fitter for his seasonal bow at Redcar and could just sneak a place. 

Selections: 
13:45 - 2, 7, 8
14:15 - 2, 5
14:45 - 8
15:15 - 10
15:50 - 4, 8
16:25 - 2, 16
= 24 lines

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