Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I am looking at day one of York’s Dante meeting.
York Dante Meeting – Day 1 Preview
The flat season rolls on to the Knavesmire with the start of York’s three-day Dante Festival. Wednesday’s card features the Group 2 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes (3:13) and the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (3:45), a key Oaks trial.
Karl Burke saddles the front two in the Duke of York betting in Night Raider and Elite Status, but they face a stern challenge from last year’s Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin, with Ryan Moore booked by Kevin Ryan.
The Gosdens go for a sixth Musidora win since 2015 with Go Go Boots, while Aidan O’Brien sends over Whirl, looking to continue his domination of the Classic trials this spring. Since 2021, three Musidora winners have either landed the Oaks or gone within a whisker.
ITV Racing will show the first five races from York, along with one from Yarmouth.
Going: Good to firm, with watering ensuring perfect racing ground. Dry weather is forecast for all three days.
2:10 – Sky Bet Jorvik Handicap (1m4f, Class 2)
Maharba The Champ is 2-3 at York and both wins have come on good to firm ground. He likely needed his Pontefract reappearance and now sits 5lb below his last winning mark. If the ground remains quick, he’s got every chance.
Top weight See Hector, a triple Group 3 winner in Germany, ran with credit at Meydan and shaped as though this trip suits. Not one to dismiss entirely.
2:42 – Churchill Tyres Handicap (6f, Class 2)
Kevin Ryan has won the last two renewals and fires two bullets:
Bergerac is a dual course winner and is down to good mark when bouncing back to form. We Never Stop is chasing a hat-trick after two AW wins but needs to prove he can transfer that improvement to turf.
Change Sings went close on his return at Newbury and is only up 1lb. Remains competitively weighted but he's drawn wide in 16, though.
Commanche Falls, a former C&D winner, needed the run at Leicester but is well treated and a reproduction of his 1 ¼ length 3rd of 19 to Elmonjed over C&D last August, from 5lb higher, would see him go close. Stablemate Glenfinnan was unlucky at Doncaster on his seasonal reappearance and is another with solid claims from this yard, which won the race in 2022.
Two Tribes ran well behind More Thunder at Newmarket when head 3rd on return and Ryan Moore takes over. A strong pace would suit.
Holkham Bay shaped nicely on return at Goodwood when denied a run. A C&D winner last year, 1-1 under Oisin Murphy and should improve for that reappearance.
3:13 – 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes (6f, Group 2)
Inisherin looked the real deal in last year’s Commonwealth Cup but disappointed on two subsequent starts and now returns after a wind op. If fit, he’s the one to beat. He’s been well backed in the last couple of days which indicates he’s ready.
Elite Status has plenty of class and won first time out the last two seasons. He bombed in the Sprint Cup like Inisherin but is better than that and looks a Group 1 winner in waiting. No reason why York shouldn’t suit, and he could be the value.
3:45 – Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (1m2½f, Group 3)
A small but intriguing field of six fillies line up.
Smoken looked a good prospect on heavy ground last autumn but needs to prove herself on quicker ground. Her dam handled fast ground, so there’s hope.
Serenity Prayer was an eye-catcher when winning on debut at Newbury over this trip last month and is bred to improve. Contender for a yard that won last year’s race
Miss Tonnerre brings solid juvenile form, including a close fourth to 1,000 Guineas winner Desert Flower in a Group 2 at Doncaster. The step up in trip should suit and she’s not one to discount.
Go Go Boots is 2-2 on the AW, already proven at the trip and represents a yard with a superb record in this. If she improves on turf debut she should go well.
Whirl landed a Group 3 last autumn and should improve for her disappointing seasonal reappearance. O’Brien won this in 2021 with Snowfall and is flying in the trials again this year.
4:18 – Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap (7f, Class 3)
Green Pursuit ran well at Catterick and Ripon since returning from a break. The cheekpieces go on, and he's worth another go at 7f for a yard that won this in 2021.
Rare Change looked improved for a gelding op when winning at Windsor 9 days ago. He finished strongly and looks ready for 7f. Big chance under a 6lb penalty.
Gallant could have more to offer at this trip. Forgive his last time Newmarket run when 4th in a hot handicap (6f) where he didn’t seem to handle the track.
I am going to York today and tomorrow so am not sure if I will have the time for in-depth previews on Thursday and Friday.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John