Three interesting runners for us today, tomorrow and on Friday

Star Time made it third time lucky when winning a weak maiden at Yarmouth on Monday, but, while little fish are sweet by the seaside, bigger pots are on offer at York’s Ebor meeting  this week, with Tritonic running in a Heritage handicap on the Knavesmire today and Ascot hero Insanity doing likewise there on Friday.

Tritonic has not won on the Flat since Goodwood ln the autumn of 2022, but he did land a novice chase at Wincanton on his first run over fences and also finished third in last year’s Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting.

And the engine is still strong judged on his cracking effort in the Goodwood Stakes three weeks ago. Indeed, entering the final furlong Tritonic looked as if he was going to grab a slice of the prize money, but he tired in the 100 yards, eventually finishing an honourable sixth. The handicapper promptly dropped him another pound, so he runs today off a mark of 92, whereas his last win on the level came off 98. It’s another competitive handicap, but I have seen plenty of worse 16-1 chances and would not be surprised if he nabbed a place in the frame.

Alaskan Gold has joined us from Karl Burke, having run fifth in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury and fourth in the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock when last seen back in May.

He has topweight on his first run for Barbury in a five-runner handicap at Chelmsford tomorrow, also his first run on an artificial surface. Recent Ascot third Fair Point and Jersey Stakes sixth Never So Brave will be formidable opponents, but Alaskan Gold is an interesting recruit, and Alan will be hoping to learn something from the Apple Tree Stud-owned colt’s first run back after a three-month absence.

Insanity is 4lb higher at York than he was when he landed a hugely popular win for Max McNeill, Niall Farrell and, of course, Alan himself at Ascot’s Shergar Cup meeting a fortnight ago. That was a great day for everyone as Insanity was produced at the perfect time by Rachel King, who rode for the boss for several years before making what has been a successful transition to Australia.

Rossa Ryan renews his association with Insanity, having won on both the previous times he has partnered the four-year-old, at Ffos Las and Windsor, Here’s hoping he might make it three from three on the Knavesmire.