And they’re off... a series of racing certainties to let, with the form guide provided by Brian Page.

They’re really bright folk at Quantum estate agents – they know how to do a property writer’s work for him.

We were scratching our head for a theme for this week’s lettings column… and then some details arrived for a series of Quantum properties.

“As it’s race week,” they suggested, “perhaps you could label this house as a ‘real thoroughbred in the property stakes’ and a ‘certain winner’.”

You see, that’s what we like. A great theme for the week and we don’t even have to think up our own puns. Brilliant!

So, what is this certain winner?

Well, there’s certainly no doubt that it is a lovely home. Woodview, in Appleton Roebuck is an outstanding four-bed detached home, whose owners have reduced their rental price by £200 to £1,200pcm (making it an even better bet – and that is one of our own puns!).

Highlights here include a stunning dining kitchen with granite worktops and underfloor heating, a large conservatory and beautifully presented cloakroom, bathroom and en-suite. This quality home has four good-sized bedrooms and also benefits from a rear enclosed garden and double garage. Appleton Roebuck is one of the area’s most sought-after villages with lots of local amenties, a splendid local school and it sits nicely within Tadcaster Grammar School’s catchment area.

And, as they’ve come up with the goods, we thought we would highlight another set of Quantum properties – neatly dubbed a good ‘each-way bet’.

They are apartments 1 and 2 in Infoss House, Rocking Horse Yard (all right, that doesn’t even need any spin) at Fangfoss. Apartment 1 is a first-floor flat with a large verandah above the enchanting Rocking Horse shop, with nice features including a very large open style lounge, wood-burning stove, a kitchen area with breakfast bar and Corian work surfaces, integrated fridge and freezer and utility room with washer and dryer. There are two double bedrooms, both with en suite bathroom/shower. The rental is £725pcm.

Apartment 2, again set in the heart of this pretty village and within the magical Rocking Horse makers courtyard, is a one-bedroom duplex apartment with parking.

The ground floor offers a good-sized entrance with a double bedroom and utility room with washer/dryer and freezer. The first floor is an open plan living/dining area with nice furnishings including dining table and chairs, Chesterfield sofa and armchair – and with a quality kitchen area with eye-level oven, hob and fridge. Available at the end of May, the rental is £625pcm.

Staying with the racing theme, if you are going for a classic then you could do worse than take a punt on a super apartment in a period home in Wenlock Terrace, Fishergate. An “immaculate” property within walking distance of the city centre and let on a fully furnished basis, this third-floor apartment has an entrance hall, a very big open-plan lounge and dining kitchen with appliances and a double bedroom and modern shower room. It has on-street parking and is offered by Ashtons at a rental of £625pcm.

Letters Ltd, meanwhile, have entered a pretty pair of their own in this week’s starting line-up, one in town and one out… The first is a “lovely” two-bedroomed furnished house in Nunmill Street, Scarcroft Road, a short stride from the city centre. It has its own entrance vestibule and hallway, a lounge with ornamental stone fireplace and sofa and a dining room with table and chairs. The kitchen comes equipped with electric cooker, fridge-freezer and washing machine. There’s a double bedroom and a single bedroom, both with bed and built-in wardrobes, and an upstairs bathroom. A rear yard and on-street permit parking complete the package, for which the rental is £675pcm.

The out-of-town Letters Ltd home is in Thompson Drive, Strensall, a well-served village with lots of local amenities. It is a lovely, detached bungalow in a modern development and boasts an entrance hall, a lounge/diner, kitchen with gas hob and electric oven, washing machine and with a fridge provided on request. The master bedroom has a fitted wardrobes and an en-suite shower room and there is a further double bedroom and bathroom. With good-sized rear garden and wide driveway and double garage, it is on offer at £695pcm.

Next up on our card is a large semi-detached house at The Leyes, in Osbaldwick, offered by Martin and Co. Close to the primary school and local this property “must be viewed”, say the agents. On offer is a dining room with gas- effect fire, ground-floor cloaks, a lounge with gas-effect fire, breakfast room and kitchen (with fridge/freezer, washing machine, electric hob and oven) and then more in the shape of a sun room. Upstairs are three double bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside there is a garden with patio and shed and driveway parking. The rental is £850pcm.

And finally, in our last but not least spot, is a smart, unfurnished house in Kyme Street in the popular Bishophill area – within easy walking distance of York city centre and the railway station. It offers accommodation briefly comprising two bedrooms, bathroom and downstairs shower room, kitchen/diner and a lounge. On street parking is also available. It’s on the books of Hudson Moody at £625pcm.