Saturday York Tips: Ross Millar has a tasty trio to follow on the Knavesmire

Struggling to make a strong case for a horse at York? Our expert horse racing writer Ross Millar has marked the card for you.

3.05 York, 1m5f Listed Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes

I tipped Euchen Glen for the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown last month and he finished a rather disappointing sixth of eight runners. However, there is more to advising him again than just blind optimism, I promise.

Quickthorn, who beat Euchen Glen by five-and-three-quarter lengths at Sandown, was given an excellent tactical ride by Tom Marquand. He was able to dictate from the front and set a slow pace, which was always going to be difficult for Euchen Glen to overcome given his customary hold-up running style. 

Even though we only have six runners in this 1m6f contest, there is a strong likelihood that there will be a truly run race as both Mandoob and Without A Fight are seen to best effect when they are ridden prominently. I’m sure William Buick, who rides Kemari, will be keen to keep the pace honest, too. 

Euchen Glen has shown a liking for York - he has previously won both the John Smith’s Cup and the Cumberland Lodge Stakes - and this trip holds no fears. It certainly wasn’t stamina that stopped him at Sandown last time.

Selection: Euchen Glen @ 11.5

3.40 York, 6f Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap

This looks a fiercely-hot handicap, but the current top three in the market - Ingra Tor, Harry Three and Showtime Mahomes - all have to overcome stiffer handicaps marks after notching a recent victory. Fourth in, Gisburn, is one of those unfortunate types who finds his mark constantly on the rise due to a number of consistent performances.

As a result, I like the chances of a filly who is yet to show her hand to the handicapper this year. Atomic Lady had a productive juvenile campaign with two wins, which began with a strike at Ripon before she doubled up over this course and distance.

She proved that she has a love affair with York with a narrow defeat into second in a sales race over this course and distance last August. She was beaten just a neck by the now 108-rated Ever Given, with 109-rated Wings Of War a head behind in third. 

Even when you account for the 5lb that she received from those two rivals, her current mark of 91 looks pretty fair. At a decent double-figure price, she looks to have a solid chance against more exposed rivals.

Selection: Atomic Lady @ 15.5

4.50 York, 1m½f Ice Co Supporting Macmillan Handicap

Plenty of runners in this extended mile handicap arrive here with questions to answer after failing to find their best form in recent starts.

Electrical Storm is an interesting participant as his high-powered connections have been prepared to wait 18 months for a relatively lowly-rated horse to return to the track. That suggests they feel better is to come, but you have to suspect that he will improve for this first run back.

Light Up Our Stars has no such questions to answer. He’s in fine form - he has finished in the frame on all bar one of his eight starts this year - and now reverts to turf from the all-weather off a 3lb lower mark. Despite showing his best form on synthetic surfaces, he has a turf win to his name.

He steps up in trip, which presents a new question, but the manner of his wins over a mile suggests that he is capable of getting further. Light Up Our Stars might be able to take advantage of a clever bit of placing by trainer Tony Carroll.

Selection: Light Up Our Stars @ 7.4

Recommended bets

Euchen Glen (3.05 York) @ 11.5
Atomic Lady (3.40 York) @ 15.5
Light Up Our Stars (4.50 York) @ 7.4