Hi all,
York Dante Festival – Day 1
1:50 – A tricky 1m 4f Class 2 handicap, gets the meeting underway. It may pay to concentrate on improving horses at the front end of the market.
Fujaira Prince, is likely to go off favourite for Roger Varian. This lightly raced 5-year-old, just the four career starts, ran out a comfortable winner on his handicap debut at Doncaster 18-days ago. Should be more progress to come. Steps up 1 ½ f in distance here and should go well.
First Eleven, trained by John Gosden, looked a shade unlucky not to win a valuable handicap at Royal Ascot last summer over today’s distance, off 13lb lower. Progressive last summer he was a decisive of a Class 2 handicap at Ascot back in September, off 7lb lower, before being beaten in a soft ground Group back at that track a month later. Both career wins have come on good to firm. Trainer’s record at York between May & July is a healthy 14 winners from 38 runners 37% +16.71 21 placed 55% since 2015.
Crystal King, broke his maiden tag at the 5th attempt last season when landing a Leicester handicap on good to soft. Improved further when asserting close home to win a Wolverhampton handicap. Handicapper has raised him 8lb for that success but he’s on the upgrade. His trainer Sir Michael Stoute is another trainer to do well at the track between May & July with 9 winners from 27 runners 335 +20.58 13 placed 48%, including 5 winners from 10 runners 50% +25.25 6 placed 60% in handicap races between 1m 2 ½ f & 1m 6f. Plenty to like about his chance although quick ground would be slight unknown.
First Eleven – 11/2 @ Paddy Power
Crystal King – 7/1 @ William Hill & Bet365
2:25 – Another big field handicap (22 runners) this time over 6f.
Vibrant Chords, trained by Henry Candy, returned to action with a great run to finish a nose, second at Kempton 25-days ago. Ryan Moore who rode the 6-year-old that day keeps the ride. Up just 1lb from Kempton and looks set for a big run again. Has won second time up in the last two seasons.
Trainer Tim Easterby saddles three in the race Staxton, Flying Pursuit & Golden Apollo. The first named is the one I like most. The 4-year-old ran well to finish third on his seasonal reappearance and will fitter for that run. Has run well over C&D and looks the sort to win a decent pot this season. Trainer has an impressive record in Class 2 sprint handicap at the course, with those going off 12/1 & under, providing all his 8 winners from 29 runners 28% +41 15 placed 52%
Aljady is another who go onto better things this season. The 4-year-old won his first three starts last season, all on good to firm, and ended last season with a length second at Ascot last October, off 2lb lower. Has the ground in his favour but is drawn out on a wing in stall 22.
Vibrant Chords – 10/1 @Bet365 & BetVictor
Staxton – 7/1 – Gen
3:35 – The Group 3 Musidora Stakes over 1m 2 ½ f.
John Gosden looks to have a very decent bunch of 3-year-old fillies this year. He saddles two her Entitle and likely favourite Sparkle Roll. The daughter of Kingman has done well from two to three and looked good when winning a Sandown novice 19-days ago. Up in class here but there should be more improvement to come from her. Looked a shade uneasy on the ground at Sandown so probably wouldn’t want the going to be too quick here. Apart from that slight negative she’s got a great chance of landing this race. I have mentioned the trainer’s record here earlier but it’s also worth noting his record in non-handicap races in May over 1m 2 ½ f & 1m 4f – 7 winners from 14 runners 50% +13.04 9 placed 64%
Sparkle Roll -11/4 @ William Hill
4:05 – Space Blues – The son of Dubawi makes his handicap debut today. The 3-year-old won on his racecourse debut at Nottingham last season. Has been beaten at odds on both his starts this season, too keen at Newbury two starts back and then was just touched off trying to concede 7lb to an improving Roger Varian gelding back at Nottingham 28-days ago. Drops back to 7f here but he travels powerfully in his races so the distance move looks more a positive than a negative. The bigger field and a more even gallop should also help the colt settle better.
Space Blues – 5/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes
5:05 – A class 4 handicap over 1m 4f and just the 20 runners. Equine bingo anyone? Past Master for the Candy/Moore partnership will be popular with punters. Likewise, the David O’Meara trained Addis Ababa who seems to be improving with racing and should appreciate the step up to 1m 4f here. Jedd O’Keeffe saddles two in Starcaster & Desert Ruler. The former is the mount of Jamie Spencer. The 4-year-old made an encouraging first start for the trainer when 2nd of 9 at Thirsk 32-days ago. He looks on a competitive mark, but will the ground be too quick? Benadalid was nicely progressive at around 1m 4f last summer, winning handicaps at Ripon & Chester on a sound surface. Returned to action when two places and six lengths behind Starcaster at Thirsk. Will be fitter today and will like the ground. Framley Garth’s course record warrants respect, 1 win from 6 runs 3 placed. A previous C&D winner. The 7-year-old was doing his best work at the finish when 4th of 19 I a 1m 2 ½ f handicap here back in September, off 3lb higher. He hasn’t been disgraced on his two start for new trainer Liam Bailey. Vulnerable to any improvers of his present mark but if he gets a decent pace to chase could get into the places at big odds.
Framley Garth – 16/1 -@ William Hill – each way (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Benadalid – 14/1 @ BetVictor & Paddy Power – each way (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Always check with an odds comparison service like Oddschecker to get the best prices available.
All selections win only unless indicated as each way.
Cheers
John