Thursday 16th May 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
2.15: Lindum York Handicap: We start things off on the second day of the Dante Meeting with the 2.15 which is handicap action over five furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Alligator Alley here who’s a big price for the team of David O’Meara and Jason Watson. He’s a course and distance winner who has dropped down to what looks like a very appealing mark, he also posted a much more encouraging effort last time out at Lingfield in March when sixth of twelve but just a length and three-quarters behind the winner. If getting some luck in the run here I think he’s got every chance off this mark. Alligator Alley – 17/2 (Each-Way)
2.45: Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap: Next up it’s the 2.45 which is more handicap action, this time ridden over a mile. I’m siding with another one for the O’Meara yard here and that’s Mirsky who’s set to be ridden by David Nolan. This five-year-old is a French recruit and posted a very encouraging effort on his stable debut when fifth of fourteen in the Hunt Cup at Thirsk earlier this month. He actually contested some graded races last year in France and if progressing from that Thirsk run he’s got every chance of having a considerable say in another handicap here. Mirsky – 10/1 (Each-Way)
3.15: Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes: Our first pattern race of the afternoon comes up at 3.15 and this is Group 2 action for the fillies over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I like Free Wind here for John & Thady Gosden who’s the mount of Kieran Shoemark. She seems to go well fresh and often performs well on the Knavesmire, winning this race last year when getting the better of Rogue Millennium. She was also narrowly denied a head by Warm Heart in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks here last season and a repeat of that level of form would see her very tough to beat in this. Free Wind – 7/4 (Win) (NB)
3.45: Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes: The feature of the day comes up at 3.45 and this is the Group 2 Dante Stakes over a mile and two and a half furlongs. The race is seen as a major trial to the Derby and in this year’s renewal of the race I’m taking a chance on an unexposed one in Economics for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. He made the perfect start to his campaign on his seasonal reappearance when winning at Newbury last month, and he gave the impression on that occasion that he’ll relish this step up in trip. He looks like an exciting prospect for a yard that loves to have winners around here. Economics – 15/2 (Each-Way)
4.15: British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes: My fifth and final selection of the afternoon comes in the 4.15 which is the Listed Westow Stakes over five furlongs. I find it hard to get away from Big Evs in this who currently heads the betting for Michael Appleby and Tom Marquand. He was last seen when claiming Breeders Cup success and is clear on ratings in this particular assignment. It would be a slight concern that his only poor run to date came here in the Nunthorpe last season, but I think he’s that far ahead of this he should still be winning this relatively comfortably. Big Evs – 8/11 (Win) (NAP)
