My word, it’s been a tough week for punting on the Knavesmire. I’m looking at the John and Thady Gosden-trained BOWMARK to provide a needed tonic, in the opener. He won two of three novice runs, prior to a downfield effort in the French Derby.

The Kingman colt was far too keen that day but ran better than his finishing position suggested. The drop in class and distance may see him able to control things out in front, and if he does so, may prove to be hard to catch.

The Melrose Handicap is often a springboard for stayers who go on to race in Australia, with this year’s field looking yet another decent bunch. MANY MEN has impressed me this season – winning  three times – culminating with a smooth success when I tipped him at Ascot last month.

A 3lb rise may not prove insurmountable, especially if you go back to his course run in May. He was a fine third behind subsequent Royal Ascot winner and Group Three scorer, Merchant. The runner-up also placed in a Group Two event, so the form is strong.

York often throws up multiple course winners, who seem to bowl along up front and enjoy the long home straight. One such horse is QUINAULT, who would need a career best to figure but absolutely thrives at this track – he defends an unbeaten record here after three wins from three runs.

His latest success here was a huge performance, when winning the G3 Criterion Stakes over this 7f journey. It’s worth chancing at double-figure odds that he can grab the lead and throw down the early gauntlet to his rivals, leaving just enough in reserve to last home in front.

The Ebor Handicap is for many the highlight of the week. As ever, the 1m6f race is a fiendishly-difficult conundrum for punters. We have established stayers in the line-up, course winners, and those who have the potential to rank higher than their current ratings.

I’m taking a chance on one particular improver – MAJESTIC WARRIOR – who is thoroughly unexposed. The James Tate-trained five-year-old was two from three before a setback. He defied a monster absence of 698 days to score with plenty in hand, on handicap debut, at Thirsk in April. He has clearly been kept for this race, and despite a 9lb rise, may have further progression.

As a half-brother to a high-class three mile hurdler, I have little worry about the rise in trip. My main concern is his lack of experience, especially in a high-profile contest. I feel the double-figure price is worth chancing!

I’m not surprised that there has been plenty of money for POCKLINGTON. He is a lightly-raced type, who has shown massive promise in a pair of York handicaps. He ran midfield in a strong handicap here last August, catching the eye with a late rattle, and was a luckless fifth over track and trip last month.

I can’t believe he has been kept on the same mark, and if he can gain a clear passage, I’ll be looking for him to go extremely close.

ZELAINA let me down at Royal Ascot when she weakened after showing blistering pace early. She let punters down again, when favourite for a conditions event at Goodwood.

Clearly a talented filly, she isn’t one for maximum faith in, but if delivering her A-game, ought to be hard to peg back – especially at a track where front-runners can dominate sprints.

One who was slightly under the radar, but not has been finding its feet in the market, is ERZINDJAN, who arrives after a highly encouraging stable debut fourth. That fine effort came after a lengthy layoff, in the competitive John Smith’s Cup, over this course and distance.

He would have realistic claims if taking any step forward from that effort, and it’s interesting that he has been kept for this contest. A Group Two placer in his pomp, it would be folly to dismiss his place chance, for an unfashionable stable.