Eurobox Boy is worth a bet

BY ALL means sit back, relax and enjoy today's televised racing from York on Channel 4. But don't go silly on the betting front now the moaners have got their wish.

Those who complained about small fields in August have the pick of 119 runners on the Knavesmire. And with several of those horses having been on the go since the spring, it all adds up to a typical start to the traditional bookies benefit month of September.

That said, punters fancying a TV multiple could do worse than to include Eurobox Boy in the McIvor Scotch Whiskey Handicap. Alan Jarvis's three-year-old has improved on being beaten in sellers earlier in the season to some much better form of late.

He returned his best effort yet at Leicester last time, when beating Forest Fantasy two lengths, going away. The runner-up, third and fourth horses there had all won their previous starts.

Eurobox Boy is 4lb higher now but Jarvis has engaged good apprentice Danny Wright, whose 3lb claim virtually negates the rise.

Kassbaan can defy top weight in the £25,000-added Lawrence Balley Handicap. Saeed bin Suroor's six-year-old spent the last two winters in Dubai and raced only once in Britain last year, when just under two lengths third of five to Al Rawda at Goodwood last May.

He was in cracking form in Dubai earlier this year, winning three races, culminating in a three-quarter length defeat of Try Prospect in a Listed race.

That reads as good form because Try Prospect had earlier hacked up by six lengths in a similar race from the useful Alami.

Sure to have enjoyed a thorough preparation, Kassbaan has the class to see off some opponents who may be beginning to feel the effects of long campaigns.

Ambassadori could be worth including to spring a typical surprise from the Clive Brittain camp in a desperately difficult Batleys Cash and Carry Handicap.