Wednesday 14th May 2025
2.10 York: Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap: The Dante Meeting gets underway at York on Wednesday with the 2.10 and this is the Class 2 Jorvik Handicap contested over a mile and four furlongs. This is always highly competitive, however, I’m taking a chance on Marhaba The Champ, who represents Kevin Ryan and is set to be ridden by Rowan Scott. He’s not shown a great deal of form for a while, however, he’s got a record around the Knavesmire as he’s a course and distance winner, and should naturally progress from a return run at Pontefract last month. He’s now five pounds below his last winning mark, and I’ll chance a revival at this track. Marhaba The Champ – 10/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
2.42 York: Churchill Tyres Handicap: Next up is the 2.42, and this is another Class 2 handicap, this time contested over a much shorter distance of six furlongs. I like the chances of Two Tribes here for Richard Spencer, who’s got the eyecatching jockey booking of Ryan Moore. He ran a fine race on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket earlier this month, finishing a head third of thirteen in a similarly competitive Class 2 handicap. He’s been nudged up a couple of pounds for that effort, which I think is fair, and he should come on for that run. I think he can have a big say here. Two Tribes – 5/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
3.13 York: 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes: We move up in grade at 3.13 with the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes, that’s contested over six furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Inisherin here, who’s another for Kevin Ryan and the mount of Ryan Moore. He won the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last time before tasting Group 1 success in the Commonwealth Cup in last year’s Royal Meeting at Ascot. He’s top-rated here and has gone well fresh in the past; if he’s anywhere near his best form, he could prove tough to beat. Inisherin – 9/4 (Win) (NAP)
3.45 York: Tattersalls Musidora Stakes: The fourth race of the afternoon comes up at 3.45 and this is Group 3 action in the Musidora Stakes for the fillies over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’m with Smoken in this particular affair for the team of Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. I was impressed by her at the back end of last season, she won both of her starts to date, with her most recent success coming within Listed company at Newmarket in November, where she got the better of Secret Of Love. That rival has since come on to finish second in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester last week, solidifying that line of form. Both of the Beckett fillies’ victories have come on soft ground, but she should have an issue with a quicker surface being by Too Darn Hot. I think she’s exciting and can post a bold bid here. Smoken – 7/2 (Win) (NB)
4.18 York: Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap: My fifth and final selection of the opening day of the Dante Meeting comes within the 4.18, and we’re back within handicap company with a Class 3 handicap over seven furlongs. I’ve come down on Best Rate here for Richard Hannon and Sean Levey. I put him up for his most recent outing, which came at Newmarket earlier this month, where he finished fourth of eight over a mile. He weakened in the closing stages that day, which suggests this drop back down to seven could be what he’s after, as he won over this distance within novice company. He should still have more to offer, and he can run a big race here at a nice price. Best Rate – 12/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
