York Dante Meeting Day 3: Racing tips

All of us suffer from age at some point, and for punters to unravel today's Yorkshire Cup (2.40pm), they'll need to decide whether the legendary Sergeant Cecil has had his time.

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Trainer Rod Millman has said that his nine-year-old was not fully wound up for his reappearance at Newbury 27 days ago in the John Porter, and that needs to be the case if he has a chance of winning this afternoon. 'The Sergeant' finished 21 lengths off the ever-improving winner, Royal and Regal, on soft ground, and that rival re-opposes this afternoon.

Sergeant Cecil has never really flourished in the John Porter – he had finished fourth twice prior to this season's renewal - and the inadequate trip, going, and track were all against him last month.

York seems to bring out the best in the old stager, he has four wins and a second in his six visits to the Knavesmire, and if Millman is right in his assessment of his admirable battler, the 13.0 on Betfair looks a huge price for a horse that won this Group 2 contest just 12 months ago.

The chunk of the betting book goes to the four-year-old Honolulu however, and he looks very dangerous given the improvement that should be lurking within his comparatively youthful frame. Aidan O'Brien's charge finished an impressive second to the amazing Purple Moon in the Ebor at York last year, and confirmed his ability on good to firm going, and at this sort of trip, when third to Lucarno in the St Leger at Doncaster in September.

Honolulu has raced just seven times in his short career – he hadn't even seen a racecourse at this point last season – and given his connections, it is no surprise to see him trade at under 2/1.

Royal and Regal is the another young buck trying to knock off the reigning champ, and there will be floods of punters eager to back Michael Jarvis's colt after his demolition of Sergeant Cecil at Newbury. Although he has a convincing profile, it should be noted that the son of Sadler's Wells has been exclusively campaigned on going with the word 'soft' in it, and today's good to firm going is unlikely to suit. While we can never be too sure on these matters, at 1.49 for a place it may be worth a cheeky lay of the second favourite on account of his apparent dislike of the ground.

Jamie Osborne's Geordieland is one who will encourage punters to do so as he has an excellent record of finishing in the places, but not winning. From 29 starts, Geordieland has finished second 11 times, which was where he finished in this race last year. He clearly has ability having been the only one who could hold a candle to Yeats in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last year and should be in the shake-up once more.

Alfie Fits also ran Yeats close in the Vintage Crop Stakes a few weeks ago, and this extra furlong should see him be competitive.

Verdict: 1pt Sergeant Cecil to place @ 3.55 (Betfair) 

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