Reading between the lines on Day 1 at York....

Tuesday, 12th May 2026

Reading between the lines on Day 1 at York….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the handicaps on ITV on Wednesday….

I’m on WILL SCARLET in the 2.20 at York – up at 8s & 15/2….

…. and I’m on FAST TRACK HARRY at 14s in the 2.55 at York….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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…. the Jorvik - York - 2.20....

WILL SCARLET is the pick for this at the general 15/2 & 8s….

He’s not been with the Crisford team for long but he had a good winter racing in the United Arab Emirates….

…. producing his very best work when stepped up to tomorrow’s 12f trip – at which he’s still pretty much unexposed….

He’s up 7lb for his last time out win and will need to improve again….

…. but he’s still very lightly raced for a 5yo….

…. he was campaigned sparingly and patiently by Andre Fabre when he was over in France….

…. and there’s every chance now that he’s ready to make his way at staying trips….

The Crisford team has certainly been much busier with the horse since getting hold of him in January….

…. I can’t imagine we’ve seen the very best of him yet….

…. and this could be the breakthrough season for the horse….

The Crisford outfit don’t send too many up to York – but operate at a strike rate of 32% with those they have sent to the track over the last five years….

…. and whilst this one’s had a break of 62 days since last seen in action, I’m not too concerned about that – because he’s produced plenty of good performances off breaks in the past….

William Buick takes the ride – he’s only on two tomorrow – and I take that as a positive….

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…. the Churchill Tyres - York - 2.55....

I’m having a punt and taking the 14s about FAST TRACK HARRY for this one….

I would have bet you 10p to my eyesight that Oisin Murphy would be riding Tropical Storm in this for Andrew Balding….

…. and that my selection would be ridden by Rob Hornby….

…. but it’s the other way round – and I reckon that’s significant….

I can’t see Murphy getting jocked off by Hornby – not when Murphy’s been in the saddle pretty much every time Tropical Storm has banked money for connections….

…. so, I’m going to assume it’s Hornby whose lost the ride on Fast Track Harry – at least for tomorrow….

…. and been replaced by a champion jockey whose only ridden three times for Clive Cox since the beginning of 2021….

Reading between the lines (which can – admittedly – go horribly wrong) I reckon it tells us the Cox horse is expected to run a big one….

Why else would Murphy bail out on Andrew Balding – the principal supplier of his rides – and a horse he’s ridden for 11 of its 14 career runs….

…. and one – to boot – that looks to be on a handy enough mark and has some decent course form to its name….

It wouldn’t be any kind of surprise if Fast Track Harry has been aimed at this….

…. not when you consider how well he ran last year at this track over tomorrow’s trip in the big June handicap for 3yos….

…. finishing second and beaten a length by Hucklesbrook (ATC readers were on the winner)….

Whilst he only finished 7/13 last time in a competitive looking race at Leicester, he wasn’t beaten far – and he got bumped about a bit….

He’s only had three goes on turf since that performance at York last term….

…. showing up well on the AW in the earlier part of the year….

…. and it’s perfectly feasible that he’s got a big one in him this term….

I like the signs….

Oh…. and if Tropical Storm goes out and wins under Hornby, I’m going to stick my head into the nearest meat grinder….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more tomorrow….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd