Hi all,
I couldn’t build on a great Wednesday yesterday. In this game you are as only as good or bad as your last day and you must move on.
It’s the final day of York’s Dante Festival. The feature race of a seven-race card is the Group 2 Matchbook Yorkshire Cup Stakes (3:10). It looks the trickiest of the three days from a punting perspective.
York Dante Festival – Day 3
1:40 – Langleys Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) – 5f
Instinction belied big odds (28/1) to win on her Redcar debut last month. Plenty keen enough through the race she had to overcome a tardy start and not the clearest of passages to prevail. The 4th home May Blossom, who reopposes today, has since gone onto win. Instinction faces a number last time out winners capable of improvement but she can get into the money. Trainer Bryan Smart had a 2-year-old winner here on day one and he looks to have some nice sharp early juveniles.
1pt each way – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
2:10 – Oaks Farm Stables Fillies’ Stakes (Registered As The Michael Seely Memorial) (Listed Race) – 1m
The race see’s recent impressive Newbury winner Snow Lantern head the market. Connections decided not send the filly to the 1,000 Guineas and instead come here and that patience cam be rewarded. Seemingly at her best on good or quicker ground her backers will hope the forecast morning rain doesn’t ease the ground too much.
Love Is You was sent off the 11/4 fav for the Nell Gwyn on last months seasonal return. Only third that day but any further easing of the ground and today’s flatter track are positives as is a return to the mile. The runner-up in the Nell Gwyn Saffron Beach gave the form a boost when finishing second in the 1,000 Guineas.
2:40 – Matchbook “Best Value” Exchange Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2 ½ f
Trainer David Menuisier had a handicap winner here on Wednesday and could have another here with Blue Cap. The 5-year-old returned from an 8 months absence to finish a promising 2 ½ length 5th of 10 at Epsom last time. Would have finished closer but didn’t get the clearest of runs inside the final furlong. The handicapper has kept him on the same mark one that he can win off.
Surrey Pride developed in to a useful handicapper last season winning at Newbury & Chester. The chances are we haven’t seen the best of the 4-year-old and he can win races this race. He’s handicapped to be competitive on his seasonal return and if fully tuned up could win today.
Fishable was another useful handicap performer over 1m 2f last season, including when 2nd of 14 over C&D last October. The 4-year-old returned with an encouraging effort when 4th of 10 at Ripon 29-days ago. Should be fitter today and trainer opts for the first time cheekpieces today. He seems ground versatile and won’t be far away.
Makram looked in need of the run on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket, like most of the yard’s runners. Strong in the betting last time (5/2 fav) suggests connections think he’s on a good mark. Shapes like he’s worth a try at 1m 2f and should be in the mix,
The lightly raced Satono Japan wasn’t subjected to hard race on his seasonal return 15-days ago. He’s only had the four career starts and is open to more progress on his turf debut.
Verdict: I wouldn’t put any one off favourite Blue Cap but at the prices I’m just going with Surrey Pride & Fishable.
1pt win – Surrey Hope – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Fishable – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:10 – Matchbook Yorkshire Cup Stakes (Group 2) – 1m 6f
Sir Ron Priestley has returned from 571-day absence to win a Nottingham Listed race and the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket last time. He’s very effective on good or quicker ground and looks the one to beat. Aidan O’Brien runs last season’s Irish Derby hero Santiago who will be sharper for his Navan reappearance and looks the danger.
3:40 – Jigsaw Sports Branding Handicap (Class 4) – 7f
Boardman was the only horse to handle the heavy ground when bolting up at Haydock 6-days ago. Turned out quickly under his 5lb penalty he can close provided he’s not dependent on very testing ground
Shawaamekh was a big eyecatcher when a strong finishing 4th of 14 at Chester 9-days. The previous C&D winner an race off the same mark today and is on a winnable mark.
Molls Memory is at her best on soft ground and although she hasn’t yet hit top form on either start this season, she’s on a competitive mark when she does.
Tom Collins was disappointing when well fancied for his stable debut in the Thirsk Hunt Cup. Both career wins have come on soft ground so he may have found the ground a shade quick last time.
Highfield Princess was a progressive handicapper over 7f on both turf and all-weather last autumn and Ryan Moore is an interesting booking for her seasonal return.
Red Poppy has been running well enough on the all-weather over winter but she does need the first-time visor to bring out further progress to win here.
Verdict: If the ground was to ease, we could see a better runs the likes of Tom Collins and Molls Memory. Boardman is well in, if transferring his heavy ground form to a sounder surface. Shawaamekh looks nicely treated and came into the race in good form.
1pt win – Boardman – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Shawaamekh – 7/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Cheers
John