The pick of the prices on Day 4 at York....

Friday, 21st August 2026

The pick of the prices on Day 4 at York….

>>>>> TODAY’S selections here….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the ITV handicaps at York….

I’m on SQUARE NECKER in the 3.35– up at 14s & 12s….

…. I’m on MYTHICAL BAY at 11s & 10s in the 2.25….

…. and I’m on COUL ANGEL at 10s in the 4.10….

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….

-----

…. the Ebor - York – 3.35....

There’s plenty of upside to the lightly-raced SQUARE NECKER – and he’s the pick at 14s & 12s….

He’s the most inexperienced runner in tomorrow’s field having raced only five times….

…. but his two runs since the start of May – victories in handicaps at Hamilton and Ayr over 1m5f – were plenty impressive….

…. and in the Hamilton race he had Mountain Road – who went close to winning Wednesday’s Stayers Handicap – almost six lengths in arrears….

That’s a decent yardstick and – up to 97 following the win at Ayr – I understand why trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy has kept his charge back since….

…he’s targeted this race and protected a mark that the 4yo looks nailed-on to leave behind….

He’s a strong traveller with tactical speed, he’s got a turn of foot for the straight and he stays….

…. plus, he’s fresher than most, better handicapped than plenty of the opposition, and he gets weight from most of the field….

The ground won’t be a problem and I’m not worried about a starting stall of 23 – because plenty of horses have overcome a high stall number in this race….

I reckon he’s a player at a nice price….

-----

…. the Melrose – York – 2.25....

Infraad and Limestone have obvious chances – but have been well-found in the betting….

…. William Buick has chosen to ride Into The Light – and he’d have had plenty of options tomorrow given how many horses have got spare riders jocked up….

…. but the one that stands out as a bit of value to me is MYTHICAL BAY – with Oisin Murphy up top – at the general 11s & 10s….

Andrew Balding’s won three of the last six renewals of this race and looks to have another solid contender in this lad….

Mythical Bay produced a career best stepping up to tomorrow’s trip at Newmarket last time – getting the better of a photo finish with Magnitude….

He might have hit the front too soon and idled slightly – giving his rival something to come back at….

…. but he showed a good attitude in the fight to the line….

He gets this trip strong, he’s progressed nicely since being gelded, and there’s more to come….

-----

…. the Constantine - York – 4.10....

When last seen – over tomorrow’s track and trip in July – Mick Applbey’s COUL ANGEL finished 2/21….

…. splitting Stratusnine – subsequently second in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood – and Air Force One – who won the 5f sprint here on Wednesday….

He ran out of stall 20 that last afternoon – doing a lot of work on his lonesome in a race where the far side stalls were advantaged….

With three days of racing having chewed up the ground on that far side rail I reckon on middle to high stalls having the advantage tomorrow….

…. and in stall 20 once again, Coul Angel has dropped on – with most of what early pace there is situated in the top half of the draw….

He gets weight from everything and whilst there are – as you’d expect in a race of this nature – plenty to make a case for….

He’s one you can back at a double-figure quote this morning – he’s up at 10s and that’s fair enough….

-----

Now, just to recap….

-----

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

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

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd