York‘s Dante meeting is the latest in a superb set of May racing festivals. After Chester last week, the Knavesmire takes centre stage, with so much informative racing to look forward to.
Matthew Sutcliffe will be on hand with his tips on every day of the meeting. Here are his four selections for day one on Wednesday.
York Racing Tips (Wednesday 13 May)
The Group 3 Musidora Stakes is the headline event on day one at York. Matty has a tip in that contest, as well as in three others.
2:20 York – Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Stressfree 11/2 1pt EW 3 places
A muddling race to kick off the first handicap at York this season, as generally an unexposed and/or progressive four-year-old would be the first point of call. Two head the market here, and Klassleader has a 4lbs swing for his 3/4l defeat at Haydock with Sing Us A Song, though he has the benefit of a recent run.
I don’t think Sing Us A Song’s reappearance was all that strong, as he weakened fairly quickly and couldn’t hold on for second from Gary and Josh Moore’s horse, who’d previously been a beaten 10/11F at Southwell in a Class 5. I have my doubts over Klassleader, as once he was in the open at Haydock he had every chance to go past Sing Us A Song, and his sole win remains a penalty kick in a Ffos Las novice against one now rated 71.
With doubts against the top two who’d typically the profile of a winner in this race, it may pay to chance one of the four who contested the race last season, and Stressfree gets the nod. My natural inclination with him would be to avoid him, as he’s on the same mark as his fourth in the Ebor last season. However, his comeback run suggested there wasn’t any form of tomfoolery involved regarding lowering his mark, as he stayed on eye-catchingly to be beaten a length off top-weight in a 0-100 handicap at Ripon with Mark Winn merely a passenger, having been short of room when mounting his challenge.
Stressfree was remarkably consistent in handicaps for the most part last season, including his head second here, finishing two and a half lengths ahead of the re-opposing Plage De Havre who he’s 4lbs better off with this time around. He backed that up with a head success at Haydock next time out and that form worked out very well, with the third now rated 15lbs higher with subsequent form figures of 121 in listed company, the fourth winning a class two handicap when last seen, and the fifth was subsequently a winner in Listed company.
An RPR of 107 on reappearance suggests Stressfree has returned in a similar vein of form, and in a race that doesn’t look particularly deep, he can go one better than last season if backing up that pleasing Ripon second.
2:55 York – Churchill Tyres Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) – Russet Gold 25/1 1pt EW 5 places
Kevin Ryan has won this twice in the last three seasons and Russet Gold is the pick of his trio after his pleasing reappearance in the King Richard III Cup Handicap at Leicester, his first run after a wind surgery.
He was beaten two lengths into fifth there, weakening late on having been short of room on the farside rail. It’s certainly concerning that he hasn’t won since 2023, but he’s been consistent in contesting some strong handicaps since and his mark rose to 105 having placed in Group 3 company in 2024.
He’s now 15lbs lower than what he was last season, and there’s been a number of promising efforts of late to suggest he can capitalise on his lowering mark. He has a 5lbs and a 9lbs swing in the weights with the re-opposing Pocklington and Desert Falcon when two and a half lengths behind that pair at Doncaster, and if he can build on his reappearance then I’d expect him be thereabouts in the finish if breaking on terms from stall one.
3:30 York – Go Local Stores Minster Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Aramram 9/1 1pt EW 4 places
A cracking renewal of this group two contest that features four Group 1 winners to the fore of the market, but three of those may need this run first time up and the other, Time For Sandals, was beaten fairly by Aramram at Newmarket who looks set for another big run here.
It appeared favourable to race far-side for the most part at Newmarket that day, and Aramram was perhaps unsuited by having to come near-side under Sean Levey, who was late in the day pressing the button for a fast finishing second, recording the quickest final two furlongs.
He proved there that his Cammidge success was no fluke, and if he can continue this upward trajectory then he’s sure to be bang there off this forecast strong gallop.
4:05 York – Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) – Legacy Link 6/5 2pt WIN
A ninth win for the Gosdens in the Musidora would have them on a par with Sir Henry Cecil in this race and Legacy Link is in a strong position to do so.
By Dubawi out a full sister to Frankel, she’s bred to be high class and caught the eye when staying on well to finish third to Evolutionist. She reversed the form with the second when making all to win at Haydock next time out, and she again caught the eye when staying on well to finish third to Precise in the Fillies’ Mile.
That form has worked out well and the second and third reversed that form with each other when filling the same spots in the 1000 Guineas, and the third, Evolutionist, had won in group three company on her reappearance.
She holds Moments of Joy on that evidence, and this step up to 12 furlongs can bring out strong improvement for this promising filly who holds three Group 1 entries and is as short at 8/1 for the Epsom Oaks.
Matty Sutcliffe’s York Dante Meeting Day 1 Tips for Wednesday 13 May
2:20 York – Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Stressfree 11/2 1pt EW 3 places
2:55 York – Churchill Tyres Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) – Russet Gold 25/1 1pt EW 5 places
3:30 York – Go Local Stores Minster Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Aramram 9/1 1pt EW 4 places
4:05 York – Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) – Legacy Link 6/5 2pt WIN
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Wednesday 13 May
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for Day 1 of York’s Dante Meeting, which takes place on Wednesday 13 May.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 9.40am on Tuesday 12 May.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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