In the Novus Stakes (8.00) at York on
Friday, Chiswick Bey has been beaten, but not disgraced, on
both starts since winning in 0-90 company over 7 furlongs at
Musselburgh last month and remains feasibly weighted for a return to
the winners’ enclosure. Indeed, the Elusive City gelding in just
1lb higher in the weights than at the East Lothian track and, while
he has yet to win over a mile, has shaped as if a step up in distance
might do him some good on recent starts.
His two most recent wins came under
apprentice Samantha Bell, who rides stable companion Simply Shining,
but he might just benefit from the stronger handling of stable jockey
Tony Hamilton, who’s riding quite close to his minimum weight of
8st 7lbs. The Knavesmire isn’t always the easiest place to execute
hold up tactics, but Chiswick Bey was placed on both previous visits
(albeit a few years ago) and the fact that he’s (presumably) Tony
Hamilton’s choice of Richard Fahey’s three runners speaks
strongly in his favour.
Selection: York 8.00 Chiswick
Bey to win
