Simon Holt with his best bets for York on Saturday

Recommended bets:

2pts win Caradoc in 2.30 York at 6/1

2pts win Make My Day in 3.40 York at 13/2

CARADOC shaped well on his recent reappearance at Epsom and, with that run under his belt, can prove the best choice in a typically competitive John Smith’s Cup at York on Saturday.

Ed Walker’s five-year-old was switched off in last place on Derby Day before making steady headway up the home straight to finish sixth behind Sky Defender despite not looking totally happy on the camber.

However, one suspects that the Epsom contest may have been a prep race for this bigger target with Caradoc now returning to the scene of his fine third in another hot handicap over a mile and a half last season.

Generally progressive, James Doyle’s mount then produced a career best over a mile-and-a-quarter at Newbury where, in a steadily run race, he did well to peg back the re-opposing Great Example who had gone clear after grabbing first run.

A fast-run race over this trip on a course at which he has previous form should be ideal for Caradoc and it's likely he will be finishing off better than most.

Impressive Sandown (1m) winner Solid Stone and the returning Sinjaari, who chased home the smart Headman at Newbury early last season, both deserve plenty of respect among many with chances.

Later on, it may be worth taking a chance on MAKE MY DAY being straight enough for new handler Ralph Beckett after more than a year's absence in the William Hill Extra Places Every Day Handicap.

Trained by John Gosden last term, Rob Hornby’s mount got his head in front at the third time of asking at Goodwood (1m6f) last June from the ill-fated December Second, Cape Cavalli and Caravan Of Hope.

That form has been strongly boosted by the placed horses since so that Make My Day looks potentially well-handicapped off an official rating of 84, and the son of Galileo had previously shaped well over this shorter trip.

Preview posted 1330 BST on 17/7/2020

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