Day One York Dante Festival best bets Wednesday 15th May
I am in the middle of a terrible run of results, 2nd’s, 3rd’s 4th’s everywhere - Anthony Van Dyck being my sole winner thus far in May. Shocking!
It is, in fact, the worst run I have had in the nine years of Triple G. I have never been one to put up the white flag though and we have three days of cracking racing to look forward to at York on the Knavesmire this week.
It is the opening day of York's Dante Festival on Wednesday with the Jorvik Handicap the Group 2 Duke Of York and Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora amongst the races. It’s a dry and a sunny start to the meeting on the Knavesmire and much the same is expected for the rest of the week with the ground described as good. I am on nice and early for day one.
One bit of news, William Buick will miss the meeting according to a Tweet from Godolphin as he is undergoing tests at Addenbrooke's Hospital after feeling unwell over the weekend. Hopefully, he will be back in the saddle soon.
The 6f Group Two Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes is due off at 3.00 and is the first race of interest to me. Invincible Army won a Listed heat at Doncaster on reappearance and would be a major player if reproducing that form so is on the shortlist. Of the others, Yafta and Brando were 2nd and 3rd respectively in the G.3 Abernant Stakes on their seasonal reappearances. Yafta interests me as he was pretty consistent at this trip last season and could have more to come this year as a 4yo. I think most of the pace will be his side of the draw which should help him and in a competitive heat I am on at 9-2.
They face 1m2f
for the Group Three Tattersalls
Musidora Stakes at 3.35. Khalid Abdullah-owned
Entitle is a half-sister to superstar Enable and will be popular no doubt but
my Oaks ante-post punt (33-1 e/w see Classics page) Frankellina goes having be a non-runner at the weekend. I obviously
expect big things of the chestnut filly and all being well she can show how
good she is here before the big one 31st May. I have a bit for the 11-2 early.
I put up Space Blues when he won on debut over 8½f at Nottingham as a two-year-old and at the time he looked one to follow - I put him in my Dirty Dozen for 2019. Truth be told he has been somewhat disappointing on his two runs at three this season finishing fourth over 1m2f at Newbury and second back over 8½f at Nottingham, both when short-priced. He was only just headed at Nottingham last time, front two well clear, and is worth a chance on his handicap debut off a mark of 93 in the 7f Conundrum Rowing For Christian Hobbs Gym Handicap at 4.05. The chestnut colt has got a Derby entry but clearly, aint going there, in fact, this drop in distance is seen as a positive, and I think he will ultimately prove better than his current mark. Grab the best price you can when they chalk-up.
Be lucky