Graeme Rodway's play of the day at York
Elmonjed
3.35 York
The Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap (3.35) at York always attracts potential Group performers and Elmonjed fits that bill judged on last year’s juvenile form.
The lightly raced son of Blue Point broke the two-year-old track record at Lingfield on his debut last August and that was some effort when you consider he dwelt at the start and showed greenness throughout. Yet, he still powered home to beat five subsequent winners.
The best part of his race was the last part and that was evident again at Haydock the following month when he gave away a 7lb penalty to all the runners and got up late to beat another strong field, consisting of four subsequent winners. The winning time was also fast for a juvenile.
Both of those wins came over this 6f trip and Elmonjed would be a short-priced favourite for this race had he not disappointed in a 7f handicap on his seasonal reappearance here last month. He went off at just 6-4 against 14 rivals but lacked pace and stayed on only for sixth.
That is a slight concern, especially as he didn’t look all speed and now drops back a furlong in trip. However, William Haggas is the best trainer in Britain and wouldn’t be doing that unless he thought Elmonjed had the speed to lay up, and nothing will be finishing stronger.
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