Baker to Cop and Early Ante Post Bet for York…

A superb week of racing with nearly 50 Somerville Lodge horses entered begins with just a sole entry at Windsor when Carbine Harvester attempts to get his show back on the road in the 6.17 at Windsor the Fitzdares Sprint Handicap qualifier over 6f

Owned by a group of financial journalists, based in the City of London, the 4yo has disappointed of late and runs off a turf mark of just 78 compared to his AW rating of 85.

His regular pilot Harry Burns takes the ride on his first outing since a wind operation and is drawn in stall 1 on the wing. This looks to be a race for his owners, who have also invested in a 2yo housed at Somerville Lodge to come and watch and then decide on future plans.

The race also features the next start of Desert Cop the George Baker trained 6yo gelding ridden by Neil Callan, who was a huge eye catcher at Bath last time out and is worth an interest at the early prices. A winner of a Class 2 handicap off a mark of 94 he drops down to a mark of 90 which enables him to get into this Class 3 race and looks to have a winning opportunity before contesting some of the big sprint handicaps at the festival meetings this summer. The 14/1 first show looks great value.

An early Ante Post price is also worth taking in the 2.20 at York on Wednesday the opening handicap at the Dante meeting. This race has been targeted by William Haggas winning the race 3 times from only 7 runners in the last 10 years. HIs runners invariably are sent off favourite and last season The Reverend occupied that spot despite there being a big question mark over his ability to handle the fast ground, those doubts proving correct as he disappointed as the 2/1 favourite. The 3 winners Reverend Jacobs, Gaassee and Ilaraab were all heavily supported winning at odds of 4/1-6/4 and 7/2.

Klassleader nominated by William Haggas as his ‘dark horse to follow’ at the end of the 2025 season is the only entry from Somerville Lodge and the early Ante Post price of 13/2-6/1 EW 1,2,3, places with Ladbrokes and Corals didn’t last long but there is still 9/2 – 4 places elsewhere and looks worth an early interest.

Haggas has a very strong team of staying 4yo’s that could develop into ‘Ebor’ contenders after contesting leading handicaps over 12f plus over the next few weeks .

Tenability has already progressed into Group company with an official rating of 109.

Of the others Yabher bolted up at Goodwood but was given a hefty 12lb rise for his 6l win. That looks excessive as the winning margin was influenced by the slippery surface.

Opportunity ran with great promise at Ascot on Saturday. Klassleader will be followed by the likes of Finalise, Valiancy, Castle Cove and Orionis in the next couple of weeks. In the same breeder ownership as Tenability I suspect Klassleader may be the best of them.

Ante Post Bet 1pt EW Klassleader 9/2 4 places 2.20 York on Wednesday.