The Punt Daily: Tom Collins with two to follow at York

BANKER

Hortzadar(3.35 York)

The Hambleton Handicap doesn't look as competitive this year as recent editions of the race and that can enable the unexposed and in-form Hortzadar to strike for David O'Meara and Danny Tudhope, who rides this track well. Despite being drawn in 18, Hortzadar, an unexposed son of Sepoy who is unbeaten in two starts for his current yard, should be able to get a nice midfield sit and could have enough in hand of the handicapper to feature at the business end. He really impressed with decisive victories at Pontefract and Redcar and although he is now 15lb higher than the first of those successes, he still looks well treated.

EACH-WAY PLAY

(1.50 York)

Although he finds it hard to win (2-32), Dark Shot, a 5f specialist who finished second in this race last year off a 2lb higher mark, looks a pretty good each-way bet in the opening contest off a low weight of just 8st 3lb. Dark Shot normally runs his best races at the start of the season (form figures of 2424322 in April/May) and although he has gone up 4lb for his recent runner-up effort at Epsom when he probably should have won, he still remains handicapped to run a huge race for trainer Scott Dixon on some of his backform.

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