The 6.30 York Class 4 Handicap over 6f can go to the improving King of Eden who has won 4 of his last 5 and been raised 27lb in the process. His last win came at Haydock were he came through the field with little fuss after a poor start and his improvement doesnt appear to have come to an end. Alston hopes that there is more to come and being a big horse he is capable of carrying weight, he thinks he's best at 6f and will cope with most going. The race itself doesnt seem to have much depth to it and Green Park, Tyfos and Brierty look to be the three who will give him the most to do. Tyfos was only 2 lengths behind him at Haydock and he is now 6lb better off at the weights but he never looked like containing him there.
King Of Eden is a fast improving horse and in the hands of Eric Alston a renowned sprint specialist there is no knowing when his improvement will stop and 3/1 would be a great price if you can get it.
Later on at 8.30 York stage a Class 4 Handicap over 5f and Alston's Diman Waters is top weight. He was 2nd at Chester last time and being a big horse that track would not have played to his strengths. Alston feels there is a lot more improvement to come from him and that 5f is his best trip, he handles Good to Soft but is better on a firmer surface. There are only 8 other opponents agin him and Boragh Jamal for Brian Meehan who won last time out has his 5lb rise in the weights offset by the talented James Sullivan and he will push the selection close. Melody in the Mist is the paper fav but I'm not sure she will be good enough and I am going to stick with Diman Waters to make it a double for the Alston yard.
On a different note Paul Hanagan in his Thursday column in a Liverpool newspaper said that he thinks Cotton Spirit is his best chance of a winner on the night. He says he has improved further since his last run when he came 2nd at Carlisle.
There's plenty of good racing on tomorrow but dont get too bogged down with it all and try and be selective, also remember that the weather is very unpredicatable at the moment.
Be sure to look in for the weekend's sprint action.
