York 5:20 Dav Reid Finale Handicap Tips – Diego El Queso Can Gain Compensation

Tip: Diego El Queso — best available price 4/1

---

Best Bookie Free Bets To Use on this Race

---

🏆 Best Bet: Diego El Queso — best available price 4/1

⚔️ Main Danger: Raammee

💰 Value Pick: Castle Stuart — around 18/1

The Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap is a fiercely competitive 1m2f handicap, but Diego El Queso looks capable of gaining compensation after an unlucky run at Glorious Goodwood.

The four-year-old has been progressive this season, winning over this trip at Leopardstown in April before finishing a good second back at the same track three months later.

He then caught the eye when sixth of 17 at Goodwood, where he was denied a clear run and still had plenty to do entering the final furlong.

He finished strongly once in the clear and that effort suggested he remains on a workable mark.

Today's return to York should suit, and the softer ground is unlikely to be an issue given his Leopardstown win came on yielding-to-soft.

At around 4/1, he looks the one to beat.

Main Danger: Raammee

Raammee heads the market and arrives here after winning the 22-runner John Smith's Cup over this C&D six weeks ago.

That was only the fifth start of his career and he clearly retains potential for further improvement.

The obvious concern is an 8lb rise, meaning he needs to produce a Group-class performance to follow up.

However, his C&D win was impressive and another big run would be no surprise.

Erzindjan Has Strong Form

Erzindjan is another serious contender.

He was fourth in the John Smith's Cup over C&D and also produced a creditable sixth in the 28-runner Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot.

That Ascot run was particularly encouraging because he left the impression that a stiff mile was on the sharp side.

He has winning form on softer ground from earlier in his career and the return to 1m2f should help.

Ryan Moore taking over is another obvious positive.

Al Aali Has Goodwood Form

Al Aali arrives in excellent form after winning at Newmarket before following up in the 17-runner Goodwood handicap over this distance.

He beat four of today's rivals that day and is proven on good to soft ground.

A 5lb rise makes life harder, but he remains highly respected with William Buick retaining the ride.

Castle Stuart Can Bounce Back

Castle Stuart appeals as an interesting each-way option.

He has a good record at York, including a third in this race last year, while he has also posted two placed efforts in a hood this summer.

The hood was left off when he disappointed over 1m4f at Ascot last time, but it returns here.

That could help him return to his better form and the drop back to 1m2f is another positive.

With Richard & Peter Fahey's yard in good form, he looks capable of outrunning his odds.

Shafdar Is Another To Consider

Shafdar has been running consistently enough to enter calculations.

He won at Epsom in April and then produced his best effort since when close fourth of 15 at Goodwood in a first-time tongue-tie.

That run came over 1m1f and suggested today's extra furlong could be within his range.

He does need to settle, but his recent form gives him a chance.

Dark Moon Rising Has Course Form

Dark Moon Rising returned to form when scoring comfortably over C&D six weeks ago.

That was his 20th outing at York and he retains some handicapping scope despite a 6lb rise.

The concern is that he has never won back-to-back races, but his proven course form makes him interesting at a bigger price.

Value Angle: Castle Stuart

Castle Stuart is the value option.

His third in this race last year demonstrates how well suited he can be by York, while his two placed efforts here this summer came in a hood.

The return of that headgear is significant after his latest disappointing effort, and he is entitled to bounce back.

At around 18/1, he looks capable of getting involved if reproducing his best York form.

Verdict

Diego El Queso is the selection.

His Goodwood sixth was much better than the bare result suggests, with a troubled passage leaving him with plenty to do before he finished strongly.

He had already shown progressive form over this distance this season and today's conditions should hold no fears.

Raammee is the obvious danger after his impressive C&D victory, although the 8lb rise makes this considerably tougher.

Erzindjan and Al Aali also have strong claims, while Castle Stuart is the one who appeals most at a bigger price.

Today's Selections

🏆 Best Bet: Diego El Queso — best available price 4/1

⚔️ Main Danger: Raammee

💰 Value Pick: Castle Stuart — around 18/1

Horse Racing Tips Today by AC

---

Best Bookie Free Bets To Use on this Race

---