York racing top tip: Oviedo has the beating of the field if he produces his best

16:10 Seat Unique Handicap

A total of 17 runners go to post for the Seat Unique Handicap at York on Friday afternoon with more than a handful capable of staking a claim.

Bookie’s favourite Godwinson has been bet in from an average price of 8/1 to 5/1 despite misfiring on his last outing, having produced a top performance at Newbury weeks earlier.

Hector Crouch will hop on the William Haggas horse for the first time on Friday as he makes the manageable step up to 1 and a ¼ mile.

Oviedo has also received some support in the market and looks worth consideration after dusting off the cobwebs when sixth of six at Chester last time out.

Hot on their tails could be course and distance winner Reach who enjoys a run at York, finishing in the top four in each of his appearances here and posting a respectable third-place finish in the Dante Stakes.

He was up against a field of comparable quality on that day and has proven to be a consistent sort with nine top-four finishes in 11 runs on turf.

High Fibre seems to disappear into the wilderness for eight or more months after each run, so it’ll be interesting to see how the lightly-raced four-year-old fares after making a positive return at Newbury in May.

Despite having a very unfavourable draw, he finished within three lengths of the winner and saw Glam De Vega and Mustazeed, both of whom were higher rated and given a strong chance.

Although Ovideo was massively disappointing at Chester, that run was likely necessary after an eight-month break.

Edward Bethell’s bay gelding is capable of so much more and could produce better back in a handicap race.

His efforts at York and Newmarket in August and September last year were enough to see him receive a bump in rating and on paper at least, he’s shown he has the beating of this field.

Suggested bet: Oviedo each-way in the 16:10 at York