Thursday 15th May 2025
2:10 York: Lindum York Handicap: The second day of the Dante Festival at York gets underway with the 2.10 on Thursday, and this is a Class 2 handicap contested over five furlongs. I’m taking a chance on one at a big price here, and that’s Zoulu Chief for Heather Main, who’s seemingly signalled intent here with the booking of Oisin Murphy. The four-year-old posted his best effort for a while last time out, finishing third of nine at Ascot and a length and three-quarters behind the winner. He’s been generously dropped a further pound for that run and will contest this off a pound lower mark than his last winning one, with that success also coming at this track over six furlongs. Zoulu Chief – 12/1 (Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
2.42 York: Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap: Next up on Thursday is the 2.40, and this is another Class 2 handicap which this time is contested over a mile. I like La Trinidad in this particular affair for Roger Fell and Rowan Scott. He returned to the track at Thirsk earlier this month, where he posted a very encouraging effort when third of third in the Thirsk Cup, only three-quarters of a length behind the eventual winner. He’s been nudged up a couple of pounds for that effort, however, he still looks to be reasonably treated and should give another good account of himself in conditions that should suit. La Trinidad – 10/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
3.13 York: Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes: We’re up in grade at 3.13 with the Group 2 Middleton Fillies’ Stakes, which takes place over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of See The Fire in this for the team of Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. She won the Group 3 Strensall Stakes here last year on good to firm ground and travelled well for a long way before fading on her seasonal reappearance at Sandown last month in the Gordon Richards Stakes. She should be a lot more tuned up following that outing, and it would be disappointing should she not be a lot closer here. See The Fire – 6/4 (Win) (NAP)
3.45 York: Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes: The feature race of the day and the meeting takes place 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 one of the main trials for the Epsom Derby, and I think that this year’s renewal can go to The Lion In Winter for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He’s a very highly regarded colt by Sea The Stars and won both of his racecourse starts to date, the most recent coming here in August when getting the better of Wimbledon Hawkeye and subsequent Guineas winner Ruling Court in the Acomb Stakes. That form speaks for itself, and I think he could be another Ballydoyle superstar and should take a lot of beating here. The Lion In Winter – 11/10 (Win)
4.18 York: British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes: We move onto the 4.18 now, which is the Listed Westow Stakes that’s ridden over five furlongs. The market is dominated here by Aesterius and Tropical Storm, however, I’ve tried to take them on with Star Of Mehmas for Richard Hughes and Ryan Moore. She was progressive last term, winning back-to-back novice events before taking a Listed event at Ayr on what was his final start of the campaign. She returned to the track at Chelmsford earlier this month, and finished third of ten in another Listed event and ran well to be just a length behind the winner, given she raced wide. She should come on for that run and can continue her progression here. Star Of Mehmas – 9/2 (Each-Way)
4.55 York: Frank Whittle Partnership ebfstallions.com Novice Stakes: The penultimate race on Thursday is the 4.55, and this is a Class 2 novice event which is contested over six furlongs. I’m with Tadej here for the Archie Watson stable and is set to be ridden by Hollie Doyle. He ran a very solid race on his racecourse debut at Ascot last month, finishing fourth of thirteen and just three-quarters of a length behind Wise Approach, whom he’ll reoppose here. I think that he’s got every chance of reversing that form now he’s better off at the weights, given the short distance between them, and the step up to six furlongs should also suit given how he kept on last time. Tadej – 3/1 (Win)
5.25 York: Sky Bet Handicap: Signing us off for the day will be the 5.25, and this is Class 3 handicap action over a mile and four furlongs. I’m fairly strong on the chances of Merchant here for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. The yard loves to have winners on the Knavesmire, and I think that they’ve got a live chance with this three-year-old. He was sent off a short-priced favourite for his handicap debut at Newmarket earlier this month, and whilst he didn’t win, he still ran well, finishing third and a length behind the winner. He stayed on that day over ten furlongs, which suggests a step up to twelve he should suit, and I think he can have a big say off the same mark. Merchant – 15/8 (Win) (NB)
