PREVIEW: YORKSHIRE JOCKEYS CLUB (SUNDAY 1ST MARCH)

The first of two popular Scarborough Races fixtures will be held this Sunday 1st March at Charm Park near Wykeham. The youthful Yorkshire Jockeys Club committee who took over the organisation have made a great success of it and another good day’s racing is in the offing.

The card opens with the Level Two Conditions race and Tag Man looks the one to beat here following his win at Helmsley Races last Sunday where he easily saw off two of today’s rivals, Red Opium and Morozov Cocktail in second and third. A repeat of that run will make him very hard to beat, even with the five pound penalty. Sunset On Fire has a great record at Charm Park having won at both meetings here in the 2024 season which brings him into consideration too. Arthurs Seat made a winning return to action at Friars Haugh a fortnight ago and whilst his best form doesn’t match that of Tag Man, at least it showed he’s in good heart. Courting Flow and Emir Sacre both have solid records and are sure to give their supporters a run for their money whilst Letthedustsettle and Cape Vidal are an interesting pair who could have their first point to point outings having been racing under rules. Both have winning form in that grade and with relatively few miles on the clock they look useful recruits who could definitely make their mark in a race like this.

Race two is the Tattersalls Cheltenham GB Pointing Bonus Young Horse Maiden for four and five year olds. Previous runnings of this race at Charm Park have given it a reputation for producing a good one, having thrown up future stars such a Miami Magic and all eyes will be on the lookout for more potential top talent. If a price tag is anything to go by then Whatsupoxo needs a close look. One of several unraced youngsters amongst the entries, Tom Scudamore’s Maxios four year old cost a cool 60000 euros at Tattersalls Ireland sales so connections will be hoping for a big run. Other debutants for the short list include the Idaho five year old I’ve Got A Friend who descends from top national hunt racemare Rose Ravine and whose relations include the reigning Grand National winner Nick Rockett and also the Jack Teal pair of GN Jefferson and Talktotherocks. Jack has developed a formidable record with his newcomers and with the former being a 20000 euro purchase with several winning siblings and the latter hailing from the classic winning Juddmonte family of Brian Boru and Derby and Arc winner Workkforce both have real potential.

For those who like to go with previous racecourse experience then Helm Bar is the clear choice from that department on the back of a promising fourth at Alnwick in December. He looked a surefire future winner that day and he should go well here.

Race three is the Ladies Open and a good contest is in prospect with several useful performers set to line up. Charles and Emma Clark’s Tag Man will be a very popular choice if he takes up this alternative option and if he can repeat the Helmsley performance he will take all the beating. Red Opium came home second there and could reoppose but whilst she rarely runs a bad race she has it all to do to reverse the form. The Clark yard also have last years Grimthorpe Gold Cup winner Blue Sans entered and whilst she’ll need to improve on her seasonal debut at Friars Haugh, she would make an able deputy. Ballydonagh Boy and Loughan are both prolific winners of points and the former is sure to run his usual ultra game yet again. Loughan fell when disputing the lead last time out at Ampton and can be a danger to all if in one of his better moods.

The chief danger to Tag Man may prove to be Whats The Solution who won four times last season, one of which was here at Charm Park. His reappearance run at Horseheath was no disgrace against some high class rivals and if the spring like weather dries the ground out to his preferred conditions he should put up a good show, especially with the Jack Teal yard now hitting top form.

Race four is the Mens Open and Whats The Solution also features amongst the entries here. Connections may choose this as the preferred option as this looks a weaker contest than the Ladies

Open. Loud And Proud went well last time out when chasing home a decent sort in Wallace Olinger at Revesby Park and that makes him one of the likelier dangers. Sam Magee is another worth a look and, whilst he was beaten a fair way when fifth at Friars Haugh last time out, that was a big field and a decent contest. Of the others, Felix Foster has the pick from Nephin Bog and Gustavo Getaway both of who make there first appearance since being bought from Ireland, Both have winning form over there but haven’t being showing their best recently. They may benefit from a change of scenery so cannot be ruled out if they are rejuvenated.

Race five is the Restricted and the race which may hold the key is that of the same grade at Friars Haugh on February 8th, Easy Rider was made evens favourite on the back of two previous wins this season but leading novice jockey Marina Bealby misjudged the tactics and came home fourth having left her mount too much to do. Driveondonn was five lengths ahead there in second and there may be little between the pair if they both line up again. Marina has ridden a winner at Charm Park previously so knows the course and is unlikely to make the same mistake again.

Of the others, Job Well Done comes here on the back of winning the sixteen runner maiden at Helmsley Races last Sunday. If making a quick reappearance she has to be on the shortlist. Jardin Carre was spoken of very highly by connections after his maiden win at the Bedale last season and if he is fit for his seasonal debut is one to watch, whilst Baby Chou may be worth considering at likely longer odds. Her fifth behind Tag Man at Helmsley wasn’t a bad effort at all and came after a long break since her previous run at Garthorpe. If that has put her spot on she could go very well here.

The day concludes with the Maiden with no weight for age allowances and the winner looks likely to come from a shortlist of three. With Jack Teal’s yard hitting top form, Jack Wooley looks sure to lose his maiden tag very soon and he comes here after three solid recent runs in this grade. In the last two of those he was only beaten four lengths, both times at Alnwick. Jack also has the option of Willielle who finished last season with a couple of third places and he could be yet another home bred winner produced by owner Steve Knowles..

The third to focus on is the Fiona Needham trained Kitman who came from Ireland having shown much promise. His first run in Britain came at Garthorpe before Christmas where he looked the likely winner before fading into fifth, If he steps forward here he is definitely one to note.

Apieceofthemoon, Doyen For A Gin and Dr Doodlebug have also shown bits and pieces of form and are amongst the likelier prospects at longer odds.

Gates open at 11.30am with the first race due off at 12.30pm. Entry is £15 per person with under 16s free. There will be a bar, refreshments, bookmakers and trade stands together with live music to follow after racing. There is ample parking and good viewing for spectators. The postcode for travellers is YO13 9QU.