Frankie’s The Talk Of York
Frankie Dettori proved, yet again, yesterday that he is your ‘go to’ man when big races are coming up. He picked up a treble, at York, which included the G2 Duke of York Stakes. Congratulations, if you backed the Italian to scoop a lucrative treble.
It’s Day 3 of the Dante Festival, which kicks-off at 2.10. Dettori rides Shamshon, although others are definitely preferred. Aaron Jones has a great chance of making the headlines, with the 5-year-old Royal Birth. This Exceed And Excel gelding won smartly over this trip, at Lingfield and has a big chance if the weather doesn’t turn. Toofi can also be a major player, particularly with Andrea Atzeni on-board.
The G2 Middleton Stakes (fillies) is at 2.40 and Dettori looks all set to strike once more. He’ll pilot John Gosden’s Journey, a front-running sort who finished 2nd in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot in October. If there are no late withdrawals then Crystal Zvezda looks superb value for an each-way bet, with Ryan Moore on-board Sir Michael Stoute’s inmate.
Wings Set To Fly, In The Dante
Then comes the race we’ve all been waiting for, the 2016 renewal of the G2 Dante Stakes (3.15). If ever a G2 race deserved G1 status, then this is it. Midterm takes on Deauville, Wings Of Desire and Foundation, a horse that Dettori seems to have given up on and his decision to partner Wings Of Desire certainly raises alarm bells with regard to the Zoffany colt. Midterm has the pedigree, but hasn’t beaten a great deal yet. Neither has Wings Of Desire, but how can you not back Dettori’s mount in a big black-type race right now? If the Italian fell into the Ouse, he would probably surface with a salmon in his mouth!
Hitman Haynes Has Eyes On The Hambleton
Saeed bin Suroor could have a big grin on his face, after the Listed Hambleton Stakes (3.45). Always Smile would probably still be unbeaten, if the Cape Cross filly hadn’t hung left at Ascot. James Doyle is in the saddle, once again and the yard can be expected to have sorted any problems out. Mothers Finest looks decent each-way value, with Joey Haynes on-board.
Dettori partners Exist, in the Westow Stakes (4.15), a horse that may well start as favourite. As this is just a Listed encounter, Eastern Angel is marginally preferred though. The grey filly was, perhaps, slightly over-raced as a juvenile and the Winter break should have helped the Queen Mary Stakes runner-up get back to her best. Mark Johnston’s Rah Rah needs to bounce back, after a hugely disappointing outing at Lingfield.
A couple more races complete the card, at York. Admiralty Arch can win for Richard Hannon, in the 4.45, while Nicky Henderson’s Cardinal Walter can run a big race in the 5.20.
Other UK Action
There are 4 other UK meetings. The 2.25 at Salisbury is the Fillies Handicap, with Intermittent taking on Zeehan and Purple Magic. Curious Carlos should be too good for Vosne Romanee, in the 3.25 at Perth. There’s evening racing at Fontwell and also at Newmarket, with Ed Dunlop’s Global Revival looking the most interesting of the unraced juveniles in the 5.10.
Listed Encounter, At Lyon
Ireland’s sole meeting is at Tipperary, with Don’t Kick Nor Bite expected to shed his maiden tag in the opener (4.40). The Listed Prix Bedel is the pick of the races at Lyon-Parilly (France), where Now We Can looks just about held by Launched.
South African racing takes place at Vaal, with 8 races scheduled. Sporting Monarch impressed when winning on debut and all eyes will be on Brett Warren’s charge in the curtain-raiser.
YORK
2.10 Royal Birth
2.40 Journey
3.15 Wings Of Desire
3.45 Always Smile
4.15 Eastern Angel
4.45 Admiralty Arch
5.20 Cardinal Walter
SALISBURY
1.55 Bohemian Flame
2.25 Intermittent
3.00 Sovereign Parade
3.35 Aqualis
4.05 Broughtons Fancy
4.35 Not Touch
5.05 Verne Castle
5.40 Marcano
PERTH
2.15 Sweet Holly
2.50 Maxi Chop
3.25 Curious Carlos
4.00 Stoneham
4.30 What A Dream
5.00 Mister First
5.35 Elegant
FONTWELL
4.55 Wor Rom
5.25 Sonoftheking
6.00 Polisky
6.35 Adept Approach
7.05 Grandioso
7.40 Kimora
8.15 Carnglave Cat
NEWMARKET
5.10 Global Revival
5.45 Touch The Sky
6.15 Point Of View
6.45 Goodwood Mirage
7.20 Delve
7.55 Percy’s Romance
8.25 Golden Stunner
TIPPERARY
4.40 Dont Kick Nor Bite
5.15 Theo
5.50 Spider Web
6.25 Roll It Out
6.55 Pink Coat
7.30 Hurricane Ben
8.05 Boston Lady
8.35 Big Bad Brian
LYON-PARILLY
R1 Split Step
R2 Uma Mia
R3 Nanny Cay
R4 Launched
R5 Soho Universe
R6 Memory Lane
R7 Miss Rafael
R8 Sweet Zappa
VAAL
R1 He’s A Var
R2 Last Chirp
R3 Together Forever
R4 Bright Bronte
R5 Tom Fool
R6 Red Heart
R7 Led Zeppelin
R8 Savethelastdance
