The York Dante Meeting kicks off on Wednesday and GG Editor Daniel Corbally guides you through his selections & analysis for all 7 races on the opening card, including his picks for the two Group races.
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Odds correct at time of posting – 4.28pm Monday 15th May (updated 4.55pm 16th May with 4.45 + 5.15 selection odds)
1.50 – SkyBet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap (Class 2)
REAL DREAM looks to have a massive chance of enhancing his improving profile. Ryan Moore takes the ride for the first time and with him at the top of his game he can get another win for the Stoute stable. Real Dream is two from two since tackling this trip and belied nearly a year off when winning at Kempton earlier this month. Apart from the selection there are plenty of other interesting profiles; Tasman Bay drops to a handicap today on first start for William Haggas and could have more to offer, Ajero has run some big races on the flat and should show the benefit of a pipe-opener last time out but he may have Royal Ascot as his target. White Wolf is another unknown for 1000 Guineas winning duo Oisin Murphy & Saaeed Bin Suroor, he returns from a Dubai campaign and may improve back on British turf. Sam Cooke also makes his seasonal debut and was in rip-roaring form when last seen but this trip may be just on the shorter side of him optimum.
2.25 – Churchill Tyres Handicap (Class 2)
Dakota Gold took this contest last year off a 6lbs lower mark and acts very well around here, he ran with credit on his seasonal return and Michael Dods’ string have been coming to form in recent weeks. But the vote this year goes to BIELSA, Kevin Ryan’s charge is winless since the 2021 Ayr Gold Cup but went close on seasonal debut. He was behind Dakota Gold in this contest last year but arrives off a 7lbs lower mark and enjoys a considerable swing with Dakota Gold as a result. Oisín Murphy takes the ride and should be able to guide the selection home. However, there’s no shortage of quality in this race with Summerghand, Gulliver & Mr Wagyu just some of the well-known sprinting division stalwarts pencilled in to take their chance.
3.00 – Duke Of York Clipper Stakes (Group 2)
Emaraaty Ana has some top class form but may need this return. Creative Force arrives on the back of a win and if turned out quickly would warrant respect. The Astrologist is an intriguing contender, he arrives for a first UK attempt on the back of a very encouraging effort in the Al-Quoz sprint at Meydan, the likelihood will be that Ascot is his aim, but with Moore booked a bold showing can’t be completely ruled out. However, the vote goes to HIGHFIELD PRINCESS, she’s been an amazing horse to follow throughout her career and having won this last year, should put in a bold show to retain her crown. Marshman is a very interesting runner and just missed out making the final selection, he has a massive chance on ratings and as the sole three-year-old in the field, he receives weight from the field.
3.35 – Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (Group 3)
INFINITE COSMOS’ price for the Oaks thumbled on the back of her impressive win in a Newmarket Maiden at the start of the month. Richard Kingscote takes over from Ryan Moore who is called into action for Aidan O’Brien & Coolmore on Lambada. The Stoute filly looks to have much more to come and can take this en route to Epsom. Gather Ye Rosebuds was a very impressive debut winner for Jack Channon and looks to have serious potential in terms of today’s race and the future.
4.10 – Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap (Class 2)
A very tricky three-year-old handicap with plenty of question marks over runners, including those returning on their seasonal debut, unexposed profiles and gelding operations to decipher. Onight has been in good form on the all-weather notching up a couple of wins on the spin and now puts his credentials to the test on the turf for Archie Watson. Catch The Paddy was another to notch a couple of wins on the spin, Kevin Ryan’s colt done his winning during his two-year-old season before being outclassed in the Gimcrack. Ramazan has a busy two-year-old season too and ran with credit in some big fields, including the Windsor Castle, a nursery at this track as well as a big sales race at the Curragh. COCO JACK takes the vote today though, it’s fair to say he hasn’t set the world alight in his three-year-old campaign but he has been gradually slipping down the weights as a result. He’s run behind some in-form animals this year like Gincident, Brave Emperor & Racingbreaks Ryder and can find this easier. He was a shorthead second off a 1lb higher mark last season and ran very well in the 2YO series finale at this track and trip last year. Benoit De La Sayette has a good record for the yard and still claims 3lbs which can help.
4.45 – British EBF 40th Anniversary Novice Stakes (Class 3)
Very little to go on here in terms of form with only one of the runners bringing some form to the table. Kevin Ryan took this contest last year and has two representatives this year, Mon Na Slieve is out of a useful mare but didn’t debut until her four-year-old season, while Barnaby is a half-brother to a filly who didn’t show much on the track. The Caribbean represents top connections and has some useful winners in the family, he should improve for this initial debut outing and for a step up in trip. MASHADI put in bold effort on display when just tipped out by a head behind On Point. With that experience under his belt can provide AMO Racing with yet another juvenile winner.
5.15 – The Stuey Weston & Friends Getting Out Stakes (Class 4)
Back to a larger field handicap setting for the finale and just like the previous races of this nature it’s a trappy heat. Captain Kane has been a real money-spinner for connections but has paid the price for his consistency and looks to be high enough in the weights, despite that he can’t be ignored for the De La Sayette & Scott duo that we’ve plumped for earlier in the card. Molinari & Heathen both ran in the same race last time out but didn’t put their best foot forward and could show up better today. Kihavah took this contest last year and landed a bit of a punt in doing so, however he’s 2lbs higher on official rating and doesn’t have Ryan Sexton’s 7lbs claim this time round. Vallamorey made a splash on handicap debut when winning at a big price, tipped up by GG genius Andrew Mount! That form looks more than fair with the runner-up going in since and she almost certainly has more to offer. But the vote goes to PARIS LIGHTS, George Boughey has excelled with new recruits and this ex-Jessica Harrington inmate looks to have more to come after two good all-weather attempts. He steps up in trip today and still has time to live up to his exciting pedigree (half-brother to Magna Grecia & full-brother St Mark’s Basilica).
YORK DANTE DAY 1 THROUGH-THE-CARD TIPS
1.50 – REAL DREAM (11/2 generally)
2.25 – BIELSA (12/1 generally)
3.00 – HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (5/2 generally)
3.35 – INFINITE COSMOS (13/8 generally)
4.10 – COCO JACK (12/1 William Hill, 11/1 generally)
4.45 – MASHADI (5/2 Bet365, 9/4 generally)
5.15 – PARIS LIGHTS (5/1 generally)
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