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13:50 York
Clear favourite Raasel was able to rack up a five-timer last season and claimed a fair enough 5th at Musselburgh. He returned to winning ways at Goodwood last time out but the handicapper has lifted him a massive 7lbs for that success. He's got a clear and very obvious chance but with more weight to carry and in what looks a much more competitive race than he's tackled in his past two outtings I'm happy to go against him.
Former course and distance winners Copper Knight and Bedford Flyer look set to do well at a course they have a good record at however, just like with the favourite however they're both way above their highest winning handicap marks at 3lbs and 10lbs respectively. I'd be foolish to rule out Copper Knight who seems to come alive on the Knavesmire and considering he's won a listed race here before, winning a race of this nature is well within his grasps but his weight is enough to make me edge elsewhere.
Fellow course and distance winner Alligator Alley seems to be a horse on the up but he needs to show more than his third on the all-weather at Newcastle. He can be forgiven that performance somewhat as he was making his debut for new trainer David O'Meara after moving residence from the yard of Joseph O'Brien. Another former York listed victor who should improve markedly on his last race and may also show more back at York. Shouldn't be far away but the O'Meara stable isn't firing so you have to wonder whether or not he's a horse for later in the year.
Despite never tasting victory here in nine previous races at York I'm going to take a chance on the Michael Dods trained Jawwaal. The stable are in fantastic recent form and picked up a big handicap here yesterday. The seven year old finished a very decent 4th of 22 when last seen at this course and a repeat of that effort shoudl see him go close once again. He's got a decent draw in stall six and has plenty of positives going into today. He's won first time out previously so that shouldn't be off putting and I'm happy to take a chance on him in the hope he finally makes it to this winners enclosure at the 10th time of asking.
JAWWAAL (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock
14:05 Salisbury
The sole trip away from York this Thursday sees the ITV cameras take in a race from Salisbury where we see a six runner, three year old race over 10 furlongs.
Although saying this out loud is enough to jinx my selection no doubt but it looks a three horse race and I'm finding it easy enough to dismiss Brayden Star, Monet's Sunrise and Base Note.
Of the remaining three I certainly feel Mark Johnston's Madame Ambassador is going to go much closer than her 4th placed performance on her seasonal reapperance and I'm pretty confident she's going to finish inside the top two it's just a debate as to whether or not she has enough to beat the race favourite. The current market leader Viadelamore claimed victory at Redcar last time and that looked a more competitive affair than this contest. I expect him to improve upon that run and be even fitter this time around so despite fearing Johnston's charge I'm going to side with James Fergusons entrant.
I'm not discrediting Teumessias Fox entirely but his sole performance on turf was less than impressive and I'd need to see more from him on grass this time around to be overly convinced, that being said however I'm sure he'll have enough in the locker to not be too far away.
VIADELAMORE (WIN)
written by Rory Paddock
14:25 York
Thunder Kiss made a winning return on her season debut at Cork, absolutely scooting home to win a listed race by four lengths. She’s won at this level before and is open to improve again. Colin Keane has come over to York for the one ride today, which may well give a hint to how connections think she will perform. It will be interesting to see how she fares on her first start overseas.
Ville De Grace was progressive last year, finishing third to subsequent Group One winner, Saffron Beach, on her debut and then winning her next two. She nearly made a winning return in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket but she was just narrowly denied by Dreamloper, in an incredibly close finish. That is rather nice form and she will have come on for the run. She’s definitely in with a shout of giving Sir Michael Stoute his eighth win in this race.
Noon Star is also representing Sir Michael Stoute and just narrowly gets the vote over her stablemate. She won on her seasonal bow at Nottingham and should improve leaps and bounds for that. She ran second to subsequent Oaks winner, Snowfall, over course and distance last year, with Group One winner Teona back in third. She ran creditably the time after, finishing sixth behind two subsequent Group One victors. Moreover, Ryan Moore is in fantastic form lately. She has a lot in her favour today.
NOON STAR (WIN)
written by Kieran McHugh
15:00 York
What's The Story can be difficult to catch though he has a fair record at this course and he did win this race a couple of season's ago. Generally disappointing last season, he arrives back to his favourite hunting ground on the back of a decent fourth at Kempton last time and he is six pounds below the mark he last won off. Hailing from a yard amongst the winners and apparently well drawn in stall twelve, he is handed a speculative vote though he will need the gaps to appear.
Brunch is hard to get away from here and he ran a cracking race when third on his comeback at Newmarket, admirably tough and consistent, one would struggle to throw stones at him and his trainer saddled a winner here yesterday. Looking for possible negatives are rather thin on the ground but the handicapper did see fit to nudge him back up a pound as a result of his comeback and significant rain would pose something of a question mark.
Bless Him doesn't always look the most willing though Jamie Spencer managed to coax out a fair late rattle when the pair nailed Vafortino at Newcastle in March, that horse has seriously franked the form since and so despite the reservations, one would have to afford him a great deal of respect.
Trais Flours has been well backed a few times, only to disappoint in the race, as was the case at Ripon last time again. Five times a winner on grass and most recently off a five pounds higher mark than today, there is clearly a suspicion that he will come good at some point but he hasn't shown enough recently.
Cruyff Turn has a fair record and has won five times from seventeen career starts, he looks a shade high in the weights at present though he has won here. Isla Kai is another who knows how to get his head in front and he rattled off a hat-trick of victories last season. Returning from a break today, he will have to be right on it to beat these but he is at least fairly unexposed. Redarn caused a massive upset when winning at Thirsk last time and has somehow managed to only go up three pounds, those believing that success was no fluke ought to be going again here though he makes little appeal otherwise.
Gifted Ruler, Horzadar and La Trinidad are selected others with claims but a chance will be taken on Brunch for win purposes, with What's The Story also suggested as an each way alternative.
BRUNCH (WIN)
WHAT'S THE STORY (E/W)
written by Chris Connolly
15:35 York
Magisterial represents John and Thady Gosden, who have taken this race for three of the last seven years. Frankie Dettori will take the ride, having partnered him to victory at Leicester, three weeks ago. He’s well bred and holds entries in some Group One contests. He was impressive at Leicester but the form hasn’t exactly stood up since. Although he has upside, he might struggle today.
Desert Crown was highly impressive on his debut at Nottingham, last year, when he ran away from the field to win by five lengths. He’s the second favourite for the Derby and looks to give Sir Michael Stoute a seventh win in this race. His owner, Saeed Suhail, won the Derby with Kris Kin in 2003, so is no stranger to success. He has a lot of potential but a lack of experience may cost him today. Notably, every winner of the Dante in the last twenty years had raced more than once.
El Bodegon is a proven Group One performer, having won over this distance in France, when winning the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, beating the current Epsom Derby favourite, Stone Age, into second. Before that, he won a Group Three, in France, beating subsequent winner Vadeni. He seems to have gone to new levels since stepping up in trip and is rather well related, no less to a Derby winner. The only concern I’d have is the ground but he has the proven form and class, yet seems to be overlooked slightly.
EL BODEGON (WIN)
written by Kieran McHugh
16:10 York
A listed event over the minimum for three year olds.
King Of Bavaria is certainly the least exposed of the eight runners. Unbeaten in two starts at two, made a pleasing three year old seasonal debut when only beaten four lengths by a race fit stable mate. He’s almost certainly going to improve for that run, and has a huge chance, which will be reflected in the market.
Boonie showed he’s made the transition from decent two year old by winning on this season’s debut at Nottingham. That wasn’t the strongest event, but he did it well. He will need to step up on that to win this race.
Guilded ran with credit last season despite being kept really busy. She ran with credit recently in France, but does have a bit to find.
Khunan is the value in this race. He does have to prove he’s trained on, however he arguably has the best two year old form on offer here. Particularly his second in the Group 2 Richmond stakes at Goodwood. He looks a real speedball, and this fast, flat five furlongs could be his optimum conditions.
KHUNAN (WIN)
written by Matt Polley