The Dante meeting starts at York on Wednesday with a very competitive card. The big race itself is looking likely to be something of a damp squib after Roger Varian’s curious decision to sidestep the race with Kingston Hill.
I’d have thought it was an ideal stepping-stone to Epsom after his eighth place in the 2000 Guineas. You could excuse him for finding it all happening too quickly at Newmarket and it is too early to rule him out of Derby calculations. Unfortunately it seems we will have no further opportunities to assess his chances.
Tomorrow’s classic clues are provided by the Musidora Stakes with the once-raced Cambridge being the one in the Oaks frame. She did look a class act when accounting for Regardez last season at Nottingham but I am just a bit concerned by the form of the Charlie Hills stable after Chester. I fancied several of his runners there but he drew a blank, something that his father rarely did at the Roodeye. I’m going to side with Regardez each-way as she looks a game filly who should at least stick on for a place.
Rye House seems to be all the rage in the opener but I’m equally concerned by the fact that most of the Stoute horses have needed a run. He won well here last season but never made it back to the track. Tres Coronas was a good winner at Chester but is running under a penalty and it could be worth a little on Hi There who was in front of him at Epsom.
Royal Rascal caught my eye running on well on his last run for Tim Easterby and could be a better bet than stable companion Fast Shot. Blaine could be interesting if he is back to his Gimcrack form of a couple of seasons ago but he has a poor draw to overcome.
I kept faith in Moviesta last season and was eventually rewarded at Goodwood after a couple of near-misses in big handicaps. He shaped well at Newmarket behind Sole Power and is my selection in the Duke Of York. Jack Dexter is the one to beat on form but the ground may be drying out.
In the fifth race I like the look of That Is The Spirit who won with plenty in hand at Doncaster from Provident Spirit. The runner-up won well at Newmarket but I cannot see the form being turned around on just 3lbs different terms.
Hi There 1.45 York at 12-1 Ladbrokes
Royal Rascal 2.15 York at 11-1 William Hill
Regardez 2.45 York at 9-1 BetVictor
Moviesta 3.15 York at 6-1 Bet365
That Is The Spirit 3.50 York at 4-1 BetVictor
