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Four quality days of racing are set to get underway at York on the Knavesmire on genuine summer ground. Twenty-four hours out from the first race, the ground is described as good-to-firm, good in places. York leads the way with its communication to punters around what is one of the fundamentals in form study and it looks as if all calculations can be safely based on fast ground until some passing showers arrive later in the week.

JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES (15:35)

Once again, it is disappointing to be writing about the absence from a big race of Desert Crown. The clash of the generations when Derby winners stay in training beyond three adds much to races, and it is a shame that in both the cases of Desert Crown and Adayar it has not paid off commercially. Desert Crown in particular created a memorable impression at Epsom but has not had a clear run at things to reinforce it since.

This leaves another big race at the mercy of PADDINGTON 4/7 who has impressive Ascot winner Mostahdaf as the latest older horse trying to lower his colours.

Mostahdaf surprised me that day – he has always had a cruising speed, but the difference was his ability to carry that right through to the line once in top-class company. A turn of foot is his main asset and so the ground will play to his strengths, but Paddington has shown admirable battling qualities and that could prove the key factor.

Few could have anticipated that Paddington would become the season’s standout horse and he can make it five Group 1s in a stellar campaign and we are still only in August.

REST OF THE CARD

Small fields in the feature races are disappointing and, while the Great Voltigeur (15:00) may throw up a leading Leger contender in Gregory and the Acomb (14:25) a smart juvenile, the main betting interest lies away from the headline races on day 1.

First up is INTRINSIC BOND 17/2 in the opener (13:50), who has bounced right back to his best after moving stables to Michael Wigham. The pace of any race is the key factor in determining which group of horses are favoured, but it does seem that on the straight sprint course at York a forward run style is beneficial. Michaela’s Boy entered calculations off the back of an excellent run at the track in May but the better form of the stable tilted the scales in favour of Intrinsic Bond who ran right up to his best in the Shergar Cup.

There have been few better combinations in Northern staying races this season than Connor Beasley and ROBERT JOHNSON 6/1. Phil Kirby’s stayer is looking for a sixth success of the season in the Stayers’ Handicap (16:10) and Connor is a perfect four from four when in the saddle. He also rides the Knavesmire brilliantly (see below) and can see off Aztec Empire, who has solid form in decent handicaps including behind Ebor favourite Sweet William at Newbury.

STABLE TRACKER RUNNER

DESIGNER 9/2 was added to the tracker with this very race (16:45) in mind having won it last season off a 5lb lower mark. She would have been second at Goodwood with a clear passage and looks to be being brought back to the boil at the perfect time. She could have been better drawn, as she looks a little away from the pace which is generally in the low stalls, but hopefully can make a bold bid to retain her crown.

JOCKEYS FOR COURSES

Here’s our regular list of jockeys riding at tracks where they have a good career record and lots of happy memories:

• Bath – Finlay Marsh has always excelled at his local track, especially when teaming up with Adrian Wintle. He has 20 winners from 105 rides (compared to an expected tally of just shy of 14 based on starting prices) and a healthy actual/expected ratio of 1.43.
• Carlisle – Ben Curtis is the guvnor at Carlisle with over 50 winners and an A/E of 1.42.
• Kempton – Benoit De La Sayette (14 winners from 59 rides and an A/E of 1.81).
• York – Connor Beasley (24/161 with an excellent A/E of 1.70 from a robust sample).
• Sligo – Sean Flanagan (12/68 and 1.64 A/E). This angle has worked particularly well in Ireland in recent weeks with Nathan Crosse the latest to partner a decent-priced winner last weekend.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

Make sure to check out NELLIE MOON 7/1 who looks the best bet of the entire day (Bath, 15:55).

Modern facilities these days mean that if a handicapper drops a horse just because of a long absence from the track and that horse shows they have retained ability then they can be very favourably treated. This is certainly the case with Nellie Moon who has twice placed at Bath off 74 and now runs there off a mark of 65 having been unlucky in running last time at Salisbury. That was her second run back off a long absence and, granted better luck here, looks a major player even allowing for a tricky draw.

WEDNESDAY SELECTIONS:

INTRINSIC BOND 17/2 (13:50, York)

PADDINGTON 4/7 (15:35, York)

NELLIE MOON 7/1 (15:55, Bath)

ROBERT JOHNSON 6/1 (16:10, York)

DESIGNER 9/2 (16:45, York)