Tuesday 10th May
It was all going to plan on Tuesday when Teatime Tipple was backed into 7/2 fav (from the 11/2 advised) but unfortunately, he reared over in the stalls and had to be withdrawn. The only other advised bet, another two-year-old maiden, Girlswannahavefun (unplaced 100/30) was also well-backed but faded tamely under pressure, I don’t think she acted on the undulations and may be worth another chance on a more
conventional track. The winner Brave Emperor was impressive as he definitely didn’t appreciate the track configuration and he can rate higher than the bare form.
Wednesday 11th May
York Day 1
1:50 - 1m4f Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap
First day of the York Dante meeting kicks off with a middle-distance handicap. Current favourite Gaassee won two novice heats in the autumn before notching a hat-trick on handicap debut at Kempton in December. On the face of it a win in a class 4 doesn’t look much but the colt won easily by five lengths, conceding 11lbs to the runner-up Tivoli, who won his next three races and rose 12lbs. is a son of Sea The Stars and his
Hardwicke Stakes entry suggests that he is considered better than a mark of [94], but he would have to be to tempt me at 2/1. Forza Orta was a possible each-way alternative, but his price has collapsed today [Tuesday].
2:25 - 6f Churchill Tyres Handicap
My first instinct in many all-age sprint handicaps is to leave them, because I think you can usually run the race several times and get a different result each time. The seven-year-old Mr Wagyu has been an absolute legend for connections, he cost £26k and has won thirteen times already. He does appear to be in the grip of the handicapper at present as he’s been consistent without winning since landing the Stewards Cup consolation race.
However, I though he ran a blinder first time out at Newmarket finishing eight against what appeared to be a draw/track bias. Mr Wagyu has only been dropped 1lb for that, but I can see him at least hitting the frame again. His record on the Knavesmire is two wins and a second from only six runs, and 11/4 for a top four finish looks decent (with a small stake on the win just in case!):
York 2:25 – MR WAGYU – 1 point in 4 TBP market (only two firms priced-up)
6f - 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes
Not a betting race for me, with the higher rated sprinters making seasonal debuts and I suspect using the race as a stepping-stone for Royal Ascot. I’m always prepared to forgive winter Meydan form, as not all runners take to it. So Emaraaty Ana could outrun his price as he finished last year with a fourth in the BC Sprint, if he’s recovered from his Dubai experiences.
3:35 - 1m2½f Tattersalls Musidora Stakes
John Gosden has won four of the last ten renewals of the Musidora Stakes (none of which won the Oaks – so not Enable) and has another potential star in Emily Upjohn, who won a Sandown maiden impressively and that form was boosted when her stablemate Emotion followed her eighth-place finish by winning her maiden next time out by sixteen lengths. Recorded an RPR of [106] which is impressive when Snowfall had a similar
rating [109] when winning last year’s Musidora. Although I can see her going off shorter than 8/11, I can’t advise at odds-on.
4:10 - 7f Paddy Power 'Here For The Craic' Handicap
Samburu was always going to be favourite with Gosden/Dettori/Juddmonte and those connections clearly think that the Kingman colt is better than a [88] rated handicapper as he holds a St James’ Palace entry. But the mark looks fair on what he has achieved to date. He looks likely to be over-bet, but I can’t find anything to take him on with.
Nothing of interest in the two races that end the opening day card.
The only other flat meeting is at Bath in the evening, I’ve been at the track when the going is “firm” and it’s noticeable that even horses with plenty of form on good-to-firm ground can struggle on the surface. So, I think the card is best left alone.