Kevin Stott’s William Hill blog: Hoping Boonie goes very close

I’ve got some really good rides to look forward to over the next couple of days at York. I’d like to think most of them have good chances, but as we know, it depends if they can put it all together on the day when under the pump.

Here are my thoughts on them. 

York Thursday

I begin on Thursday with Digital in the five-furlong handicap (1.50pm). He ran a cracker last time at Newbury where the ground was probably a touch quick for him, so the rain we had on Wednesday will have done his chances no harm at all. There looks to be plenty of pace to aim at which will suit him as well and I’m hoping for a big run. The draw in four should be fine as I can drop him in if needs be, and I’d like to think he’ll be there or thereabouts at the business end.

I then ride Dark Moon Rising in the Dante (3.35pm). He’s the outsider of the field, but we’ve always thought he was a nice horse and the step up to 1m2f should bring out a bit of improvement. The race at Newcastle last time didn’t really suit as they went slow and this should be much more his bag. A big galloping track like York will be ideal for him and we’d be hopeful that he can outrun his odds.

Next up is Boonie in the Listed Westow Stakes (4.10pm) and I can’t wait to get back on him. I was really impressed with the way he quickened up to win at Nottingham last time and this has been the plan ever since. He looks a million dollars, his work has been great, and, in all honesty, I think he’s got a massive chance.

My final ride on Thursday is Catch The Paddy in the six-furlong maiden (4.45pm). He’s a nicely bred son of No Nay Never and I’d be hopeful he’ll go well on debut. He’s a big horse who might be a touch green when he leaves the stalls, but he should come home well and hit the line hard. He’s shown us enough at home to suggest there’s ability there and Kevin [Ryan] likes to run his better two-year-olds at York.

York Friday

We kick things off on Friday with Eidikos in the Listed fillies’ stakes (2.25pm). Her homework has been really good and I was happy with her when I went to have a sit on her last week. Ed [Bethell] is very pleased with her and the way she has progressed over the winter. She looks really well in her coat and the step up to a mile should suit.

I ride Broken Spear in the seven-furlong handicap (4.45pm). I’d like to think he’s well-handicapped given he’s back down to his last winning mark of 83. We always thought he was a sprinter, but he’s been running well over seven furlongs and although he might like the ground a touch softer, he should put in another solid showing.

Peggy Sioux in the five-furlong handicap (5.20pm) is my last ride. She has her first go in handicap company having run in a Listed race at Bath last time. She broke awkwardly from the stalls there, so she did really well to finish where she did. She’ll almost certainly come on from that run here and on that basis we’re hopeful she’ll go close. She’s a very quick filly and five furlongs around York should really suit. She’s an interesting contender, that’s for sure.