The Knavesmire hosts the Dante Festival this week, with day one getting underway on Wednesday. GG tipster Joe Napier gives his three best bets for the opening day’s card.
2.10 York – Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap
William Haggas is an expert at eeking out improvement in horses so don’t be surprised to see a big run from The Reverend. The issue for him might be the ground though, having never run on quicker than good-to-soft and having shown a propensity for softer going.
Preference is for his nearest market rival in STRESSFREE, who has been going close over 1m2f this season. He has twice been beaten 1½ lengths or fewer in two starts this campaign, and can be considered unfortunate not to have won at Doncaster. He was third of six at Epsom last time, but could not make up the ground from the back of the field over that 1m2f trip.
Upped to 1m4f, he looks fully capable of winning off this mark. He has previously looked better overall on a softer surface, but both of his close calls this term have been on good. This will be the furthest distance he has faced on the flat, but it should be ideal on breeding and David O’Meara has excelled in handicaps at this venue in the past.
2.42 York – Churchill Tyres Handicap
Having won last time out, it is a surprise such a heady price is available about SECRET GUEST, as there is reason to believe further victories could be in the offing. This is an open sprint handicap, as plenty have something to prove.
The selection has been down the field in two runs at this track, but there have been excuses for both, as he reared at the start when racing here as a three-year-old in June 2023, and he was badly hampered mid-race back in October. Soft ground may not have helped, but after keeping fit on the all-weather, he returned to turf, on which he was progressive last season, to win at Thirsk ten days ago.
He can race prominently, which is favoured on the Knavesmire, so hopefully Andrew Breslin can pop him out and get him among the pacesetters. This is a career high mark he faces here, but that should not deter many given he won off only 4lb lower last time.
3.45 York – Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (Group 3)
Aidan O’Brien does not have the best record in this contest, so Whirl can be passed over even with some of her form adding up to her challenging here. Instead, MISS TONNERRE is forgiven a slow ending to her juvenile campaign, with one run in particular to recommend her on.
Her debut form has not worked out superbly from Newmarket last term, but she was pitched into Group 2 company second time out by Ed Walker and served with distinction, finishing fourth in the May Hill Stakes behind unbeaten 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower. He best work came late in the race, suggesting the extra 2½ furlongs here will suit.
Even beyond the winner, that form is strong, and heavy ground may well have been to blame for her being well-beaten at Deauville next time out. Having won on her debut, she should go well fresh here too.
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