Dante Festival Draws To A Close
It’s the final day, of what has been an incredible Dante Festival at York. There are 7 races, over the Knavesmire, today.
The 2.20 gets matters underway and this is a 5f handicap for 3-year-olds. It looks a great opportunity for Jason Hart, on Richard Guest’s Udontdodou. The Fastnet Rock gelding justified short odds to win by 7 lengths, at Thirsk last month. Guest reckons he’s the best horse he’s ever had at his yard and recommendations don’t come a lot higher than that!
Boater looks set fair to sail away with the spoils, in the 2.55. Mark Johnston’s inmate left the field trailing across Middlesex, when debuting at Kempton in March. Andrea Atzeni is on-board today and Boater can see-off the more-experienced Stormy Clouds, who will be representing Richard Hannon. David O’Meara’s Coolfitch has also won her only race, but that was on heavy ground and the filly faces a very different test this afternoon.
Nifty Nem Can Fire Home Frankie
2nd in the G1 Frizette Stakes, 3rd in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and a winner at both Kempton and Doncaster, Nemoralia can carry Frankie Dettori to yet another black-type success in the Listed Irish Champions Weekend Fillies’ Stakes (3.30). Thetis and Czabo look the most likely threats, although both should be well-held if Nemoralia runs her race. Roger Varian’s Aljuljalah needs to bounce back, but could represent decent each-way value.
Cookie To Crumble?
There’s quite an absence of genuine front-runners, in today’s renewal of the G2 Yorkshire Cup. This should work out well for Flying Officer, who can make all with Dettori on-board. In the unlikely event of Frankie not getting it right, Second Step is the one who’ll possibly pounce. Luca Cumani’s 5-year-old should relish the trip and a line can be drawn through his performance at Woodbine. Clever Cookie remains competitive, despite advancing years, but will do very well to place in this company.
David O’Meara has a brace of runners, in the 4.40, with Daniel Tudhope partnering Fattsota. The horse is likely to race prominently and has a winnable mark, but O’Meara’s other runner is slightly preferred. Chancery has won at York on three occasions and Jack Garritty is very underrated as a jockey. Alan King’s Top Tug is also likely to be in the shake-up. The Halling gelding hasn’t always enjoyed the best of luck, but really needs to start turning creditable performances into wins.
Break To Get Easterby Dancing?
The 5.10 is a very competitive 7f handicap, with no horse looking completely out of the reckoning. Strong cases can be made for Secret Hint, Azagal, Mambo Paradise, Lavetta and Dusky Dawn, but Tim Easterby’s Breakable is the tentative pick. The Firebreak mare will love the quick ground and the booking of Rachel Richardson can bear fruit for Easterby, despite her recent indifferent results.
The 5.40 will bring this memorable Dante Festival to a close and Charlie Appleby will be hoping to snatch the final winner, with Disobedience. The gelding was certainly well-named and likes nothing more than chewing gum at the back of the class and generally being disruptive. Blinkers are on today and Adam Kirby’s experience should encourage better behavior. Walsingham Grange, who’ll carry Rob Hornby, could be worth an each-way flutter at the price.
Ryan’s Newbury Raid
A rich handicap takes place at Newbury (3.10), with Ryan Moore on-board Englishman. His decision to duck York today, should put punters on alert! Expectations are high for Saeed bin Suroor’s Arabian Hope, who debuts in the opener at Newmarket (2.10).
There’s a very good evening card, at Aintree, with General Ginger taking on Saint Charles and Jack Mitton, in the 7.05. Peter Bowen’s Al Co is now an 11-year-old, but can still go close in the 7.35. Cocktails at Dawn is expected to put in a strong challenge.
The 7.25 at Hamilton’s big purse has attracted the likes of Shrewd, Mistiroc and Fabricate. Joe Fanning will ride Alan Swinbank’s Dark Ruler.
More Great Action, In Ireland, France, South Africa & The Far-East
Buck Dancing is taken to waltz past Final Gift and Down Under, in the 8.20 at Kilbeggan. There’s also racing at Dundalk, where Restive, Whiskey Sour and Va Pensiero should combine to produce a real thriller in the 6.55.
Post Var could have just enough in the locker to win the G3 Prix Texanita, at Maisons-Laffitte (France). It’s a busy day in South Africa, with meetings at Fairview and Greyville. Good luck with your bets!
Today’s Picks
YORK
2.20 Udontdodou
2.55 Boater
3.30 Nemoralia
4.05 Flying Officer
4.40 Chancery
5.10 Breakable
5.40 Disobedience
AINTREE
5.25 Unbuckled
5.55 Morning Reggie
6.30 Tahira
7.05 General Ginger
7.35 Al Co
8.10 City Supreme
8.40 Tripas
NEWBURY
1.30 Wahash
2.00 Oceanus
2.35 Carolinae
3.10 Englishman
3.45 Sweet Dragon Fly
4.15 Pointel
4.50 Manjaam
5.20 Merry Dancer
NEWMARKET
2.10 Arabian Hope
2.45 Party Thyme
3.20 Frozen Lake
3.55 Bastille Day
4.25 Daphne
5.00 Secret Art
5.30 Upavon
HAMILTON
5.45 Rapid Rise
6.15 Fastnet Tempest
6.50 Lightning Spree
7.25 Fabricate
7.55 My Amigo
8.30 New Lease Of Life
9.00 Bronze Beau
KILBEGGAN
5.35 Delegate
6.05 Rocket Punch
6.40 Wither Hills
7.15 Be The Hero
7.45 Froggy
8.20 Final Gift
8.50 Lion In His Heart
DUNDALK
5.50 Elusive In Paris
6.20 Live Twice
6.55 Power Struggle
7.30 Trans City
8.00 Ask Dad
8.35 Mittersill
9.05 Set To Fire
MAISONS-LAFFITTE
R1 Red Angel
R2 Premier Episode
R3 Ross Castle
R4 Calbuco
R5 Irlande
R6 Sunday Winner
R7 Isacc
R8 Nice To See You
FAIRVIEW
R1 Hurricane Shelley
R2 Fiesty Fiesta
R3 Soviet Cosmonaut
R4 Red Velvet Lounge
R5 Velvet Verona
R6 The Stones
R7 Ochonchar
R8 Unconditional
GREYVILLE
R1 Royal Rose
R2 Step Up
R3 Grey Light
R4 Caprivi
R5 Ole Gunnar
R6 Big King
R7 Burnburry
