NAP of the Day: 3/1 Klondike to strike gold at York

An extremely busy Saturday awaits on the racing front, with eight meetings scheduled across the UK & Ireland.

My NAP of the Day comes from the seven-race flat offering at York - more specifically the Grand Cup at 15:00.

Just six go to post for this Listed contest over 1m6f, but what it lacks in terms of quantity it makes up in the quality department.

At time of publication, it's Relentless Voyager who tops the 15:00 York Odds, followed closely by Klondike and Real Dream.

The favourite easily won a competitive handicap at Epsom a fortnight ago and should have more to offer, but this time he's without the inspired Oisin Murphy and a turnaround of just 14 days in better company raises further doubts.

Real Dream is as much, if not more of a threat. As is typical of Sir Michael Stoute's string, he's aging like a fine wine. His most recent outing, when runner-up in a Newmarket handicap early last month, was a career-best performance that puts him right in the picture.

However, it's William Haggas' KLONDIKE that I'm drawn to.

At face value, the four-year-old has been a little disappointing to date. Despite fetching 600,000gns in October 2021, he's only won one of five starts - and that was an ordinary maiden on his first day at school.

The son of Galileo has bumped into some good horses, mind. Gregory (rated 111), Castle Way (110), Tower Of London (116) and Saint George (109) were the only ones to better him in a couple of Listed events following his debut, and you can put a line through his complete no-show in a Group 3 at Newbury that signalled the end of his three-year-old campaign.

A matter of days later he had wind surgery before being sent on his winter break which lasted 270 days.

His return was on the Knavesmire exactly a month ago, in a 13-runner handicap over a couple furlongs shorter than Saturday's trip, and under the circumstances - lacking fitness, carrying top-weight, drawn high and he was keen - I thought it was a fine effort.

There ought to be a lot of improvement to come with that run under his belt and this step up to 1m6f should suit.

Perhaps the biggest positive of all in regards to the selection's chances is the booking of Ryan Moore. While Klondike's regular partner Tom Marquand is brilliant in his own right, for me Mr. Moore operates on another level and can help this talented colt get another win under his belt.

Find our NAP of the Day here at Betfred Insights