Epsom Oaks Day Preview And Tips

Race 1

A trappy enough 2yo Conditions race kicks off the card at Epsom on Oaks day and this looks a minefield. Rain during the week has softened the ground, and with the possibility of more heavy showers tomorrow it looks almost certain that there will be an ease in the ground. Only three of the eight runners have encountered similar conditions before, the favourite Marie’s Diamond, Usain Boat and the one I like at a nice each way price, Cotubanama.

This 2yo daughter of Heeraat scored on heavy ground at Salisbury for Mick Channon on her second start (5f) after making a promising debut on good at Newmarket. Her last run came in the Listed Marygate Stakes at York (5f gd/fm) and she was only 2.5L behind the winner. I think the ground could hold the key to this filly and if they go quick early hopefully she can pick up the pieces late on and reward each way support at odds of 9/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: COTUBANAMA E/W @ 9/1 NB

Race 2

Nine horses will go to post for this 8.5f handicap and only a couple can be ruled out with confidence. The one I like at a half decent price is last year’s runner up Mythical Madness for David O’Meara and James Doyle. This son of Dubawi has been kept busy on the all weather, going close twice from four runs before disappointing last time at York (8f gd/fm).
 

Mythical Madness looks handicapped to go well.

The cheekpieces worn last time are discarded and the visor that he wore when second here last year on good ground returns. He raced off a mark of 95 that day and he is 3lb lower off 92 today. He has yet to win on soft but his staying on effort over 7f on easy ground at Goodwood last season suggests he should handle it and at odds of 11/1 he is the e/w pick.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: MYTHICAL MADNESS E/W @ 11/1

Race 3

Cracksman will love the ground, he is by far the highest rated horse in the field and he showed all the old ability remained when hosing up at Longchamp last time. He is the one to beat and I think he can add the Coronation Cup to his ever growing list of Group 1 victories. He is just 1/3 though and with only six runners in the race I won’t be having a bet.

Race 4

The fourth race on the card at Epsom on Oaks Day is a 10f handicap with a field of 11 horses going to post. Dual easy ground course and distance winner Ajman King is understandably a short price to complete the four timer, but he will need to continue his progression off a career high mark of 98. However, one that could go well at a much bigger price is Zzoro for Amanda Perrett and Hayley Turner.

This 5yo son of Manduro has run well on three of his four starts this season, including a fine effort on soft ground on his seasonal reappearance over 10f at Doncaster off 82. He was only beaten 0.5L on his penultimate start at Windsor off 81 (10f gd) but he failed to reproduce that form when beaten 6L over the same c&d last time. However, I think the return to soft ground could suit, and he has form figures of 2163 on genuine soft ground. He is a pound lower than for his last turf win and at odds of 33/1 he could surprise with a big run.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: ZZORO E/W @ 33/1

Race 5

The feature race at Epsom on Friday is the Oaks and to be honest, it looks a fairly underwhelming renewal with some of the best fillies missing the race for various reasons. Guineas fourth Wild Illusion looks a worthy favourite, especially as the daughter of Dubawi is proven on soft. Her dam stayed all day too, so there should be no issues for her upped in trip to 12f.
 

Padraig Beggy won the Derby here last year.

Ballydoyle fire five bullets at the Oaks and Magic Wand is the choice of stable jockey Ryan Moore. However, she has been well beaten both starts on soft so underfoot conditions have to be a worry for her. In fact, only two of the Aidan O’Brien fillies have scored on soft ground, Bye Bye Baby and my each way selection Flattering.

Flattering is another daughter of Galileo and her dam is by Pivotal, so it was no surprise to see her break her maiden in commanding style by 10L on her sole start on soft ground at Cork (10f sft/hvy). She still looked a shade green that day, and it was a similar story when she chased home Perfect Clarity on her last outing at Lingfield (11.5f gd/fm).

I think she can turn the form around with that filly on soft ground and although she looks the least likely Ballydoyle winner on jockey bookings, plenty thought the same last year when Padraig Beggy got the leg up on Derby winner Wings Of Eagles. I think 12f on soft ground could be right up Flattering’s street and at odds of 25/1 she is the each way selection for the 2018 Epsom Oaks.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: FLATTERING E/W @ 25/1

Race 6

Only six horses have been declared for the Listed Surrey Stakes and nothing leaps off the page as being particularly overpriced. No bet.

Race 7

The final race on Epsom Oaks Day is a class 3 7f handicap and with 14 horses declared it is the biggest field of the day. I am sweet on one at a tasty price in this competitive looking contest and I think Swift Approval looks well overpriced on ground he will relish. This 6yo son of Approve loves to get on with things out in front and he will be racing off a mark of 88, 3lb below his last winning mark and 4lb below his highest winning mark.
 

Oisin Murphy has yet to finish out of the frame on Swift Approval.

He has had just two career starts on genuinely soft ground, and he won both (including a 7f hcap at Newmarket off 91). He admittedly ran a stinker on his only previous visit to Epsom but that was over 8.5f and he will be much better suited by today’s trip of 7f. Oisin Murphy has form figures of 3212 on Swift Approval and hopefully he can conjure another good run out of him at odds of 20/1 on Friday.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: SWIFT APPROVAL @ 20/1 E/W NAP

Go In At The Deep End With Pier At Ballinrobe

Javelin ran a similar sort of race yesterday as she did on her handicap debut. She broke well enough but lost her position at the midway point before staying on steadily again in the closing stages. She didn’t get the clearest of runs but she was never really going the pace to challenge and perhaps she will need another couple of furlongs in due course.
 

Colla Pier gets her ground at Ballinrobe.

I am going to take a chance on one at tasty odds this evening at Ballinrobe and I think Colla Pier looks far too big a price in the 20f handicap at 6.30. This 9yo daughter of Hawk Wing has been running respectably on flat over inadequate trips or on unsuitable ground, her best recent run coming on her sole start at her optimum flat trip of 2 miles at Dundalk when 3rd over 16f back in April.

She was never going to be competitive on her next start in a Listed race at Gowran on bottomless ground as this mare is at her best when she can hear her hooves rattle. She ran a nice enough race last time at Navan over 13f on quick ground when beaten just over 5L, doing all her best work at the finish.

Those five flat runs since returning from her winter break should have put her spot on for her return to hurdling and the ground has come right for her at Ballinrobe. Okay, she was pulled up on her last start over timber at Bellewstown back in July, but the 16.5f trip was never likely to suit. She had previously won a beginner’s chase in good style at Down Royal (20f gd) and she has run plenty of decent races in Graded and Listed company during her career.

Her last win over timber came at Plumpton back in October 2016 when she beat Royal Irish Hussar comfortably off a mark of 126 (16f gd/fm). She has mainly mixed chasing with the flat since then, but the fact that her trainer David Dunne thought she was good enough to take to the USA for a crack at a 19f Grade 1 handicap hurdle last August suggests that she still possesses plenty of ability over the smaller obstacles.

Unfortunately, she was a late withdrawal that day at Saratoga, and this is the first time she has been entered over hurdles since. She won’t lack for fitness with those runs on the flat behind her and she races off a pound lower than her last winning hurdle mark. Robbie Dunne has travelled across the pond to take the ride and I think she looks well overpriced at odds of 25/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 6.30 BALLINROBE-COLLA PIER E/W @ 25/1

Muir’s Filly Could Take Flight At Leicester

After the high of Romanised’s superb win on Saturday we were brought back down to earth with a bump on Sunday. Another Story looked to be in a good position from an early stage, but when the race started in earnest she was found wanting. Perhaps she was in need of the outing after a three month break and she is not one to lose faith in just yet.

 

Holly Doyle takes over in the plate on Javelin.

In comparison to some of the racing that went ahead this weekend, Monday’s cards represent a massive step down in quality. I was adamant that I was going to take the day off and put nothing up for Monday, but having looked at the cards I can’t resist having a small each way bet on a William Muir filly at Leicester.

Javelin is having her second handicap start off a mark of 61 and I think the step up in trip to a mile is going to suit. She broke well enough here on her handicap debut a week ago but as the pace lifted 4f out she started to lose her place. However, when they hit the final furlong she started to stay on again and she ended up finishing 9th of 17, beaten just over 5L by the winner.

I liked how she finished off her race that day and I think the step up to a mile could be a big positive for Javelin. Her dam won at a mile and though her sire Lethal Force was a top class sprinter, his progeny have an overall strike rate of 29% at 7-9f (13 winners from 45 runners). Holly Doyle takes over from Nicola Currie in the saddle and that has to be viewed as another positive for Javelin.

William Muir has not had a winner for 26 days but he has only had 11 runners since and he has had a couple run respectably, including this filly last week. Muir has a decent record at Leicester too, sending out 27 winners and 99 top 4 finishers from 325 runners. That translates as a frame hitting strike rate of just under 39% and at odds of 33/1 hopefully Javelin can go close for each way backers this afternoon.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 2.20 LEICESTER-JAVELIN E/W @ 33/1 (4 Places Paddy Power)

Story Could Benefit From Step Up In Trip At The Curragh

Romanised was a well deserved winner at the Curragh on Saturday in the 2000 Guineas. He was still widely available at 40/1 a couple of hours before the race and to be honest I am still scratching my head as to how he was such a massive price. His run behind Masar left him with very little to find with the market leaders and he beat US Navy Flag easily in the Coventry. He stayed on powerfully in the final furlong to beat that rival again and he will stay even further. A tilt at the Irish Derby could be next on the cards for Ken Condon’s star.


There is another excellent card at the Curragh on Sunday and the fillies will take centre stage in the 1000 Guineas. I don’t fancy anything at a big price in the race but if I was forced to have a bet I would take a chance on Chiara Luna at odds of 8/1. She shaped well on her seasonal reappearance and she is a War Front filly so theoretically she should relish the good to firm ground.
 

Another Story looks well worth a crack at 10f.

The one I am taking a chance on at a big price is another filly that runs in the preceding 10f handicap at 3.35. Sheila Lavery is a trainer I have massive respect for and she has her string in fine fettle at the moment. Another Story goes for her in this contest off a mark of 89 and she looks potentially well treated on her fine effort here in the Cambridgeshire over a mile last season.

She was settled in rear early and a couple of furlongs out Ronan Whelan stoked her up and asked her to close on the leaders. He found himself behind a wall of horses though and around 1.5F out he had to switch her right across to the near side. When she eventually found daylight she stayed on strongly late in the day and she was only 5L behind the winner at the finish.

This daughter of Rip Van Winkle ran a very respectable race in a 7f Group 3 at Naas the only time she has encountered good to firm ground, finishing in fairly close proximity to subsequent Group 2 winner Elizabeth Browning. She won her first three starts on the all weather at Dundalk, but even though she remains a maiden on turf I think she has displayed enough ability to pick up a race.

The step up in trip is another plus on the evidence of her run in the Cambridgeshire, and her pedigree suggests it will suit too. Her sire was a Group 1 winner at 10f and her half brother Twin Star won a 10f maiden on good to firm at Navan. There is no shortage of stamina on the dam side of her pedigree and I think at odds of 25/1 she is worth chancing each way upped to 10f for the first time on her return to action after a 3 month break.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 3.35 CURRAGH-ANOTHER STORY E/W @ 25/1

Roman Could Conquer At The Curragh

The Classics are starting to come thick and fast and the Guineas Festival goes ahead at the Curragh this weekend. On Saturday it is the turn of the colts in the 2000 Guineas and I think Romanised is far too big a price for Ken Condon at odds of 40/1. This year’s renewal looks a very open one and with no Saxon Warrior in the field I think a case can be made for a few of them.

However, the bookies haven’t missed the higher profile horses and one that comes into the race under the radar is Romanised. This son of Holy Roman Emperor has failed to hit the target since his debut win at Navan (6f gd) but he has been very highly tried and he hasn’t been beaten that far on his last few runs.

Romanised met a lot of trouble in running last time and looks overpriced. 

He showed he could cope with good to firm ground when staying on strongly after a tardy start for 7th, beaten just over 2L, in the Coventry at Royal Ascot on his second run and he was only beaten 3L over the same trip in the Phoenix Stakes on good to firm on his next outing. However, the run that makes him of interest for the 2000 Guineas was his fine 2nd to Masar in the Solario Stakes at Sandown on his final start of last season.

Masar has franked that piece of form this term, hacking up in the Craven by 9L and following that up with an excellent effort in 3rd beaten less than 2L by Saxon Warrior in the English 2000 Guineas. If that piece of form is taken literally Romanised doesn’t have a whole lot to find with the likes of Elarqam or Gustav Klimt, the two horses that head the market.

The reason for Romanised’s massive price is probably his 6th placed finish in the 7f Listed Tetrarch Stakes on ground that would have been easy enough for him on his seasonal comeback. He was beaten 3L at the finish but if you consider he was slow away and found an awful lot of trouble in running, I think he could have finished a whole lot closer to the likes of Imaging and Would Be King with a clearer passage through the race.

I think this fella has been crying out for the step up to a mile too as his pedigree is all about stamina. His half brother Rock Of Romance is a Group 3 winner at 1m 6f and his half sister Stravinsky won a listed race at the Curragh over 14f, as well as a 16f listed race at Ascot. The quicker they go early in the 2000 Guineas the better it will be for Romanised and I can see him staying on late to hopefully reward each way support at odds of 40/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: IRISH 2000 GUINEAS-ROMANISED E/W @ 40/1

Sandown Brigadier Gerard Meeting Preview And Tips

Race 1

It has taken a while for David Menuisier to hit form this season, but in recent weeks his horses have been running extremely well. He has a couple of interesting runners this evening and Psychotic goes for him in the opening 10f handicap off top weight. With his seasonal comeback under his belt I think this 5yo son of Nayef could go close. He ran well on debut at Salisbury on good ground (7f), staying on well and shaping as if in need of further.

He was stepped up to 10f next time at Goodwood but he got no luck in running and was beaten into 5th of 6, beaten 4.5L. He got off the mark at the third attempt dropped back to a mile on the all weather at Kempton and the handicapper awarded him a mark of 80. He is now running off 75 after a poor comeback run on unsuitable ground over 7f at Doncaster and back on a sounder surface and upped in trip he can give each way backers a run for their money at odds of 16/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: PSYCHOTIC E/W @ 16/1
 

Vintage Brut made a taking debut at Thirsk.

Race 2

The first live race on ITV4 will be the National Stakes for 2yos and I strongly fancy one for this 5f contest. Tim Easterby’s horses are starting to come into form and I was hugely impressed by the manner of Vintage Brut’s debut win at Thirsk. As a general rule, Easterby’s 2yos come on loads for their racecourse debuts, but this fella looked every inch a professional when destroying his rivals on his first ever start at Thirsk (5f sft) at odds of 25/1.

The son of Dick Turpin was always positioned prominently and it looked for a second or two he might be outpaced 3f out. However, he responded immediately to David Allan’s urgings and he soon drew level with the two early leaders. David Allan gave him a gentle touch with the whip 2f out and Vintage Brut quickened smartly, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides and surging clear to win by 7L. His action suggests that quick ground won’t be an issue and at 5/1 he is my NAP of the day. He is a horse to watch for the summer.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: VINTAGE BRUT @ 5/1 NAP

Race 3

It really is a quality card at Sandown on Thursday and the third race of the evening is the Listed Heron Stakes. This mile heat will be contested by nine 3yo colts and Without Parole is going to be difficult to beat for John Gosden and Frankie. This striking son of Frankel made a big impression on his return to action at Yarmouth (8f gd/fm), destroying next time out winner Ostilio by 6L with a further break of 8L back to the 3rd. 
 

Without Parole looks a horse with huge potential.

It was a visually impressive performance and he won in similar fashion by the exact same margin on his sole 2yo run at Newcastle. He looks by far the most likely winner. At a huge price Petrus could go well for Brian Meehan and Oisin Murphy. His sole visit to Sandown resulted in a decisive 7f maiden win (gd/fm) and he was only 4L behind Roaring Lion on unsuitable ground at Newmarket. 10f stretched his stamina last time and back in trip returned to Sandown he could outrun his odds of 40/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTIONS: WITHOUT PAROLE WIN 10/11; PETRUS E/W 40/1.

Race 4

The Group 3 Henry II stakes is the fourth race on the card and a field of eight stayers will go to post for this 16f contest. John Gosden and Frankie again look to hold a strong hand with 11/4 fav Weekender, but this rates as a big step up in class for the 4yo son of Frankel. He has risen through the handicap ranks but he was beaten his sole start at pattern level in a Listed Race, this is his first start beyond 14f and at the prices I think he might be worth taking on.
 

Red Verdon holds solid each way claims.

The one I like here on his second start at this trip is Red Verdon for Ed Dunlop and James Doyle. This 5yo son of Lemon Drop Kid has always looked an out and out stayer to me and he showed he got the trip well when beaten less than a length at Lingfield 2 runs back. His lack of gears cost him last time over 12f at Newmarket under an enterprising ride from James Doyle, but I liked how he galloped all the way to the line and he held on comfortably for 2nd. He ran very well on his only previous visit to Sandown so this race may have been the plan and at 11/1 he rates as a solid e/w bet.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: RED VERDON E/W @ 11/1 NB

Race 5

The feature race of the night at Sandown is the 10f Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes but disappointingly, only five horses will go to post. Poet’s Word is a warm order at 4/5 taking a big drop in class and he is the clear form pick for Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore. He is the highest rated horse in the field yet due to the conditions of the race he gets weight from two of his four rivals. It will be a big disappointment to connections if he doesn’t get back to winning ways here.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: POET’S WORD @ 4/5

Race 6

I mentioned earlier on that David Menuisier had a couple of interesting runners on the card and I think Contrapposto could go well for him in this closing mile handicap. This fella suffered a setback on his final start of last season in the Dante and his yard has had to work hard to get him back to the track. He ran a cracker in the Craven last season (8f gd/fm), staying on well to finish 4th, just 4L behind Eminent (now rated 116) and a couple of lengths behind Rivet (now rated 115) and Benbatl (now rated 123) off level weights.
 

If Contrapposto is back to his best he could run big at rewarding odds.

Contrapposto runs off a mark of 95 at Sandown having been dropped a generous 4lb after his comeback run, which was likely needed, at Newbury last time. He was drawn on the wrong side and Kieran Shoemark wasn’t too hard on him when his chance had gone, so he should come on bundles for the outing. If he retains the ability he showed in the Craven last year he is he looks well treated off his current mark and at odds of 22/1 he is worth chancing for small stakes each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: CONTRAPPOSTO E/W @ 22/1 (4 places Padddy Power)

Epsom Derby 2018 Ante-Post Selection

Last night’s blog selection Wichita Line was in the process of running her best race of the season but she was brought down just as she was starting to stay on. There was absolutely nothing that Gary Carroll could do to avoid the mishap and it was a real pity as Mick Mulvany had already fired in a double and I think a treble could have been on the cards for him if this filly had stayed upright. She was backed into 12/1 too and she is definitely one that got away.
 

Saxon Warrior is clear favourite for the Espom Derby 2018.

The Epsom Derby is less than two weeks away and my 2000 Guineas pick (read here) Saxon Warrior is a warm order to follow up in the big one. The son of Deep Impact won in impressive fashion at Newmarket and he should be even better over 12f. However, he is now odds on and at after looking through some race replays last night I have decided to put up another son of Deep Impact as an each way alternative.



Pascal Bary is a French trainer who is no stranger to success on his home turf or on the international stage. He has yet to win an English Derby, but he won the Irish version back in 1998 with Dream Well and he has also won a 1000 Guineas with Nagatora in 1998. His biggest win probably came when Gloria de Campeao won the prestigious Dubai World Cup back in 2010.

It has been a while since Bary has had a top class horse to go to war with, but in Study Of Man I think he might have something special. Deep Impact is a sire I have huge respect for and I always thought it was a pity he never ran in the UK or Ireland during his illustrious career as a racehorse. He was a superstar in Japan, winning seven Group 1s, and he is proving to be just as good a sire.
 

Study Of Man displayed a nice turn of foot last time.

Study Of Man is by Deep Impact and out of a Storm Cat mare who didn’t exactly pull up any trees on her sole start. However, she is related to a host of black type performers, including top class miler Kingmambo and Prix de Diane (10f) winner East Of The Moon. Study Of Man’s Grand-dam is none other than Miesque, a ten time Group 1 winner at up to a mile, so as pedigrees go I have seen worse!

He won his sole 2yo run easily and he was instantly stepped up in class on his seasonal return in the Group 3 Prix la Force at Longchamp. He found Chilean too good over 9f on heavy ground, staying on strongly in the closing stages after the winner had got first run. I think it was a cracking effort from a horse having just his second career start on ground that he would have been far from comfortable on.

He left that form well behind stepped up into Group 2 company and also up in trip to 10.5f in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud, his first ever start on good ground. With just four runners in the field the race wasn’t run at a breakneck pace but even so, once Stephane Pasquier switched his mount to the outside as they entered the home straight he took off, and with just one smack of the persuader 200m out Study Of Man quickly put the race to bed, displaying a serious turn of foot in the process.
 

Deep Impact is a sire to keep onside.

That was the same race that Por Moi won before going on to glory at Epsom and Study Of Man seemed to relish the decent underfoot conditions at Saint-Cloud. Although there are doubts regarding the suitability of the Derby trip on the dam side of his pedigree, his sire Deep Impact has already shown that he is a big stamina influence. Kizuna, another son of Deep Impact also out of a Storm Cat mare, won the Japanese Derby and the Prix Niel (beat Ruler Of The World) over 12f.

12f around Epsom is viewed by many as the ultimate test of a thoroughbred and with just three career starts a lack of experience could catch Study Of Man out against more seasoned rivals. This race will be run at a much truer pace than his last outing and he will need to get every inch of the 12f trip. However, I was very impressed with the manner of his last win, he has a blue blooded pedigree and he wasn’t stopping over 10.5f at Saint Cloud. At odds of 33/1 I think he represents serious each way value in a Derby that I believe lacks strength in depth.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: EPSOM DERBY 2018 -STUDY OF MAN E/W @ 33/1

Wichita Line Could Answer The Call At Sligo

Unfortunately, we finished York with just one short priced winner but, thankfully, on Friday we had places in three of the last four races. Dark Intention and Banditry both ran crackers to place at advised each way prices of 12/1 and 14/1. Champirisi was sent off at 20/1, but she was widely available at 40s throughout the day so I hope some of you managed to get the bigger odds. She finished 4th advised at 25/1, and I am hoping a filly at a similar price can run big for us tomorrow at Sligo.
 

Wichita Line could be well handicapped back on soft off 58.

Mick Mulvany is a trainer I have a lot of respect for and I think he has a potentially well handicapped filly in Wichita Line at Sligo tomorrow. This very well related 3yo daughter of Roderic O’Conner is a full sister to the very talented miler Sir Roderic (won off 90) and she is a half sister to 4 time winner Dew Line, another Mulvany inmate that was beaten just 0.75L in a 12f Listed race at Naas.

Wichita Line looked like she possessed none of the ability that her siblings had on debut at Naas over 6f (sft), but it was a different story on her second start when upped to a mile at the same track. This time she was trapped wide early and looked well held as the race began to develop, but inside the final furlong the penny seemed to drop and from an unpromising position she just missed out on 2nd by an ever diminishing head to House Call (beaten 2L off 74 at Killarney since).

The winner of that race, Still Standing, was just 3L ahead of the selection and he is now rated 81, while the 6th home Queen Rabab (4L behind Wichita Line) has since won off 62. Mick Mulvany's filly runs off a career low mark of 58 today at Sligo. Wichita Line has disappointed on her three outings so far this season, but she has had excuses on all three occasions.

She was entitled to need the outing on her return to action at Naas and the ground was very testing too. That was again the case when she was upped to 10f on her handicap debut off 64 over 10f at Navan on bottomless ground, and I was there that day so I can vouch for the fact that the conditions were atrocious.

She was beaten 10L off 60 last time at Dundalk, but I think the all weather surface just didn’t suit her and the drop back to a mile was not in her favour either. This will be her first run on genuinely soft ground since her standout effort at Naas, and the step up to 10F should play to her strengths. She has a great draw in stall 2, Mick Mulvany has his string in super nick and Gary Carroll rides. At odds of 25/1 I think Wichita Line has to be worth a small punt each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 8.20 SLIGO-WICHITA LINE E/W @ 25/1

York Dante Festival Day 3 Preview And Tips

Race 1

The opening race on the final day of the Dante meeting at York is a 5f Listed contest for fillies and the one I like here at a big price is Aerosphere. Bryan Smart has made a very good start to the season with his 2yos and this filly won nicely on her debut at Beverley. She travelled into the race strongly and when Graham Lee gave her a couple of smacks a furlong out she quickened up well between horses to score a shade cosily by half a length.

The form of her win has worked out well with the runner up Shumookhi and the 4th home, Signora Cabello (re-opposes here), both going on to win on their next starts. Aerosphere is a daughter of first season sire Gregorian and her dam is a half sister to Group 2 + 3 winning 2yo Illuminate. I think odds of 22/1 look too big and at that price Aerosphere has to be worth chancing each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: AEROSPHERE E/W @ 22/1 NB.
 

Dark Rose Angel pushed Laurens all the way last season.

Race 2

We have another Listed heat for our second race and this mile contest is for 3yo fillies who have yet to score at Group 1 level. Only six fillies have been declared and Threading is the current market leader at odds of 15/8. She was highly tried last season, winning a Group 2 here on good to soft before running creditably in a Group 1 behind Clemmie at Newmarket on similar ground. She is unproven on quick ground though and she ran poorly on her seasonal return.

At a bigger price I am going to suggest a small win bet on Dark Rose Angel. Simon Crisford’s daughter of Dark Angel beat Lubinka comfortably on her second start in a good ground Doncaster maiden and she went down by a head to Guineas runner up Laurens on her next outing. She wasn’t at her best on her last two starts at 9f in Longchamp and 7f at Newmarket but the return to a mile gives cause for optimism and if she can repeat the form of her Group 2 defeat to Laurens she will go very close.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: DARK ROSE ANGEL  @ 6/1.

Race 3

The Group 2 Yorkshire Cup is run over a trip of 14f and this looks a pretty open renewal. Wicklow Brave was last sighted chasing home Supasundae in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Punchestown but he is a very useful flat performer on his day too and his form at today’s trip of 14f entitles him to maximum respect here for Willie Mullins and Andrea Atzeni.
 

Wicklow Brave has some serious form at 14f.

He chased home Litigant over this course and distance off a mark of 102 in the Ebor in 2015 and he ran a cracker behind Quest For More over 2 miles back in 2016 in a Group 2 (gd/fm). He has beaten Order Of St George over 1m 6f and his overall career figures at the trip read 12312442, with the second of those wins coming in Group 1 company. He is proven at the track, he won’t have any issues on the good to firm ground and at odds of 12/1 he has to be worth chancing each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: WICKLOW BRAVE E/W @ 12/1.

Race 4

A tricky looking 10.5f handicap is the final televised race of the day on ITV and a case can be made for most of the 12 runner field. Master Carpenter won this easily last year off a higher mark but he is winless on good to firm ground and that has to be a huge worry. Thundering Blue is another that would prefer a bit of juice in the ground. One horse that is sure to appreciate underfoot conditions at York is Banditry for Ian Williams and PJ McDonald.

This 6yo son of Iffraaj has won 4 of his 19 career starts on turf and he has a win and a close 2nd from three starts on good to firm ground. His last five flat wins have come at today’s trip and he made a very pleasing return to action when staying on well for 4th over 9f at Newmarket off 95. He races off the same mark here. He is sure to be suited by the step back up to 10f, his trainer has 2 wins and 2 places from his last 6 runners and at odds of 12/1 he should give each way backers a run for their money.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: BANDITRY E/W @ 12/1.

Race 5

This is yet another race for the girls, a 7f handicap, and 13 horses will go to post. The one I like for each way purposes at an attractive price here is Dark Intention for Laurence Mullaney and Andrea Atzeni. This 5yo daughter of High Chaparral has run really well on her last three visits to this track, finishing 3rd over 9f (gd/fm) before winning over course and distance on good to soft and then finishing 5th behind Shady McCoy beaten 5L off 80 (7f gd).

She has had a run to blow away the cobwebs at Doncaster when beaten 5L over 7f on soft and that outing should have put her cherry ripe for this contest. She is running off a mark of 78 which is 4lb above the mark she won off here last September, but she showed she is capable of being competitive off that rating here behind Shady McCoy in October. Her North Yorkshire based handler would love to have a winner at York and at odds of 14/1 she is the each way pick.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: DARK INTENTION E/W @ 14/1.

Race 6

16 horses will go to post for this 3yo 5f handicap and plenty have something to prove on the forecast good to firm ground. Hayley Turner hit the headlines with her big race win at the weekend and she looks to have another live chance here aboard Joe Tuite’s son of Born To Sea, Kimifive. This fella remains a maiden after 8 starts but his run at Bath last time suggests that his turn may not be far away.
 

Hayley Turner is riding with confidence.

He was only beaten a short head by Tricky Spirit over 5.5f on good to firm ground off a mark of 76 and he has been hiked to 78 for that run. He has been very consistent when the ground has been good or better and the drop back to 5f should suit. His jockey is riding with confidence, his trainer Joe Tuite has his string in fine fettle and at odds of 10/1 he should be in the first four at the very least.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: KIMIFIVE E/W @ 10/1 NAP

Race 7

The final race on the last day of the Dante meeting at York is a 16 runner class 4 handicap over a trip of 12f. I think Champirisi could possibly be overpriced in this contest for Grant Tuer and Nicola Currie who claims what may be a crucial 5lb. This 3yo daughter of Champs Elysees was a rare 2yo runner for her yard last season and she managed to pick up a maiden win on the all weather at Newcastle.

She made her handicap debut on her seasonal return at Redcar off a mark of 70 (10f gd/fm) and she ran better than her finishing position of 9th suggests. She was denied a clear run at a crucial stage and she had to make her challenge up the inner. She was only beaten around 4L for the win and with Currie’s claim she is effectively running off 7lb lower here. She is bred to stay the trip (dam is out of a half sister to a Leger winner) and at odds of 25/1 she is worth chancing each way for small stakes.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: CHAMPIRISI E/W @ 25/1

York Dante Festival Day 2 Preview And Tips

Although losing days are inevitable when you are betting on horse racing, it still is very hard to take when they happen. Only Harry Angel at a very short price went in for us today with Sir Dancealot missing out on a place by a narrow margin in 3rd. The rest of my selections were nowhere near hitting the frame and it was just one of those days. Hopefully Day 2 goes better, and it shouldn’t be hard after today’s disaster.


Race 1

A 5f handicap sprint gets us underway on Day 2 of the Dante Festival and it looks an absolute minefield with a total of 19 speedsters going to post. The one I like at a price in this competitive contest is Carlton Frankie for local handler Mick Easterby with Nathan Evans in the plate. This daughter of Equiano is having her first run of the season, but hopefully she can hit the ground running just like she did last season.

Carlton Frankie goes well fresh.

This filly started her career off in a Listed race which shows how highly she is thought of by connections and while she found the going tough she made no mistake on her second start here (after a 147 day break), taking a maiden by a nose. She won her first two starts last season over 5f at Redcar off 74 (gd) and then at Nottingham off 82 (gd/fm). She went off the boil in the second half of the season, but she has had a wind op and it might be the case she is best when fresh. Off just 2lb higher than her last winning mark she is the each way pick at 16/1.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: CARLTON FRANKIE E/W @ 16/1 NB.

Race 2

The fillies and mares take centre stage in the Middleton Stakes in race 2 and only 7 horses have been declared for this 10.5f Group 2. The one I like here is Turret Rocks for the in form Jim Bolger yard and Kevin Manning. This mare has been highly tried by Jim Bolger and while the 5yo daughter of Fastnet Rock has generally struggled at Group 1 level she finds herself in slightly calmer waters here.

She had a nice outing on ground plenty soft enough for her in a Group 2 at Naas, beaten 4L by Cliffs Of Moher, and that run should have blown away the cobwebs. 10f on quick ground are probably her optimum conditions and she is Jim Bolger’s only runner of the week here. She has a bit to find at the figures but at odds of 8/1 I think she is worth chancing each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: TURRET ROCKS E/W @ 8/1.

Race 3

The feature race of this meeting is the Dante Stakes and a total of nine horses have been declared for this 10f Group 2. Some seriously talented horses have won this race down through the years, including the likes of Golden Horn, Motivator and The Grey Gatsby. Conditions are currently quick at York and plenty of this field have it to prove on good to firm ground, including unbeaten dual course winner Wells Farrh Go. He lowered the colours of James Garfield here over 7f in the Acomb last season but that win came on good to soft and he is not guaranteed to be as effective on this sort of a surface.

Mildenberger could make it two in a row for Mark Johnston.

The sole horse in the race with winning form on good to firm ground is Mildenberger, a horse that represents the same connections (and sire) as last year’s winner Permian. This hardy son of Teofilo is by far the most experienced horse in the field and he has won four of his six starts, including on his seasonal return at Newmarket last time in a Listed heat, his second win at that level. He was 2L behind Roaring Lion on his final start of last season in an 8f Group 2, but I think this extra distance can help him turn the form around with that rival and at odds of 5/1 he is the selection.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: MILDENBERGER @ 5/1.

Race 4

The 8f Hambleton Handicap is the final live race on ITV4 on Thursday and 11 horses will go to post. The one I like here is Qaffaal, a horse that is seen more often on the all weather but he is capable of running well on good to firm ground as his career form figures of 122 on this type of surface indicates. Admittedly, the last of his turf wins came all the way back in May 2016 at Musselburgh off just 69, and he is now rated 85.

However, he wasn’t disgraced in a hot enough handicap here off 6lb higher last July when beaten just over 5L and the fall in the weights could help him to get a bit closer today. This 7yo son of Street Cry has been running well without winning on the all weather this winter so he won’t lack for fitness and he seems to enjoy it at this time of the year with a win and a 3rd from two career runs in the month of May. Hopefully he improves on that fine record at odds of 16/1 on Thursday.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: QAFFAAL E/W @ 16/1.

Race 5

A field of 11 horses will line up for the Listed Westow Stakes and it looks a very open renewal with Hey Jonesy heading the market at odds of 7/2. A few of these have questions to answer regarding trip and ground, but one horse with no such worries is former course and distance winner Sound And Silence.

Sound And Silence will relish conditions at York.

Last year’s Windsor Castle winner (beat Roussel a neck) loves it when the ground is like the road and he should be cherry ripe after his comeback run on soft at Ascot. James Doyle takes the ride (he is 2/3 on this son of Exceed And Excel) and he fired in a double at York on Wednesday. I think Sound And Silence is overpriced at odds of 12/1 and he is the each way pick.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: SOUND AND SILENCE E/W @ 12/1.

Race 6

No bet in this 6f 2yo maiden.

Race 7

The final race on Day 2 of the Dante Festival at York is the 2 mile stayers’ handicap and 14 will go to post. John Butler has his string in fine form at the minute, sending out 3 winners from his last 10 runners and Denmead looks a fascinating contender back up in trip after a satisfactory return to action over 12f at Wolves at the end of April.

This 5yo son of Champs Elysees will strip a lot fitter now and he has a fine record over today’s trip of 2 miles. From 4 starts at the distance he has two wins and two places, all on the all weather, but he has decent form on good to firm over 14f in the book too. The booking of Paul Hanagan catches the eye, he is just 2lb above his last winning mark and at odds of 14/1 he could go close for each way players.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: DENMEAD E/W @ 14/1 NAP

York Dante Festival Day 1 Preview And Tips

Race 1

A very competitive eight runner 12f handicap kicks off what should be a fantastic few days of racing at York and the one I like here at a half decent price is Banksea for Charlie Appleby with James Doyle booked for the ride. Appleby also saddles the current favourite Hamada, the choice of William Buick, but he was well beaten on his sole start on good to firm ground.
 

Charlie Appleby holds a strong hand in the opener.

Banksea, on the other hand, loves to hear his hooves rattle on a quick surface and his three career wins have come on good to firm. His sole visit to York resulted in a close 2nd over a mile and he has been shaping as if in need of further on his last three starts at Meydan over 10f. The 5yo son of Lawman has yet to race beyond 10f but I think the step up to 12f could be just what the doctor ordered, and a big run could be on the cards from Banksea at odds of 8/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: BANKSEA E/W @ 8/1 NB.

Race 2

Things get an awful lot trickier for the second race on the card, a 6f sprint with a total of 19 horses going to post. This will be a proper cavalry charge and over this trip at York a low draw is usually favoured, especially on soft ground. Given it will be good to firm there on Wednesday the draw may not be as important, and from stall 12 I think Classic Seniority will appreciate the track and ground and he also looks handicapped to run a big race.

Marjorie Fife’s 6yo son of Kyllachy shaped nicely on his return to action this season when beaten 3L in 5th off a mark of 92 behind Gin In The Inn at Ripon (6f gd/sft) and he should strip fitter with that run under his belt. He has won 8 of his 38 starts and his last three runs on good to firm have produced form figures of 213. He was beaten just under a length off 93 over 6f (gd/fm) at Thirsk last September and he races off 2lb lower today. He has a win and two places from four runs at York so he clearly handles the track and at odds of 20/1 he could sneak into the frame.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: CLASSIC SENIORITY E/W @ 20/1.

Race 3

One of the most eagerly anticipated races of the week is the Duke Of York Stakes and all eyes will be on Clive Cox’s pride and joy, Harry Angel. This supremely talented sprinter was a dual Group 1 winner last season and he returns to action in this Group 2. With just 7 horses going to post he could easily get loose on the front end and if he does, he could be hard to peg back. Clive Cox has reported that his charge is in rude health and at odds of 4/5 he looks by far the most likely winner.
 

Harry Angel holds all the aces in this Group 2.

However, he does have to carry a 5lb penalty and if he isn’t fully wound up and ready to rock first time out perhaps Sir Dancealot can give him something to think about. David Elsworth’s son of Sir Prancealot ran a cracker first time up when narrowly beaten by Brando at Newmarket (6f gd) and his only previous visit to York resulted in a Listed win. He is best suited by swooping late off a strong pace, and this contest should be run to suit. As a 4yo he could still be on the improve and at odds of 11/1 he is the each way alternative to the favourite.

STEVOS’ SELECTIONS: HARRY ANGEL @ 5/4; SIR DANCEALOT E/W @ 11/1.

Race 4

The fillies take centre stage in the 10.5f Group 3 Musidora Stakes and a total of seven horses have been declared. Ceilidhs Dream and Highgarden are disputing favouritism at odds of 11/4, but they are both taking a massive step up in class and I prefer the chances of Lubinka for Peter Chapple-Hyam and Oisin Murphy. This daughter of Mastercraftsman has some solid 2yo form in the book, including when a staying on 6th of 11 behind Guineas 2nd Laurens in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket at the backend of last season.
 

Lubinka holds strong form claims for Peter Chapple-Hyam.

She was stepped up in trip to 12f at Lingfield on her seasonal return in a weak contest on the all weather and she won doing handstands. She was purchased by Qatar Racing after that victory and she will be having her first run in those silks today. I think she will be fine dropped back in trip to 10.5f and even the form of her 3rd (beaten under 2L) to subsequent Group 3 winner Soliloquy at Ascot (8f gd/sft) is a cut above what the rest of the fillies in this field have achieved. If she hailed from a bigger yard she would be shorter than 7/1 and she is a confident selection.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: LUBINKA @ 7/1 NAP

Race 5

It is always frustrating to see 15 runners in a handicap but thankfully plenty of bookies are offering 4 places for each way bets. The one I like in this contest is handicap debutant Valdolobo for Karl Burke with PJ McDonald in the plate. This 3yo son of Lope De Vega has shaped well on three starts in easy ground novice and maiden races but in saying that, his opening handicap mark of 81 doesn’t exactly look generous.

However, his run on debut when a neck behind White Mocha looks a decent piece of form now with that filly now rated 99 and running in the Musidora earlier on this card. His next start when a beaten favourite at Redcar over 7f (gd/sft) wasn’t quite as good, but he ran well for a long way on his seasonal reappearance at Thirsk (8f gd/sft). I think this fella will appreciate the switch to quick ground as his dam was a winner on a fast surface. The drop back to 7f could well suit him too and at odds of 10/1 he is worth chancing each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: VALDOLOBO E/W @ 10/1.

Race 6

No bet for me in this Novices’ Race, one to watch with a view to the future.

Race 7

The final race on Day 1 of the York Dante meeting is an ultra competitive 12f handicap that has attracted a full field of 20. As ever, small stakes are the way to go in races of this nature and one at a huge price I think that could outrun her odds is bottom weight Liquid Gold for Richard Fahey and Paddy Mathers. This daughter of Nathaniel’s sole win came on her only start over 10f on good to firm ground off 67 at Beverley and she shaped as though in need of the run back there for her seasonal reappearance.

Liquid Gold could go well at a price for Richard Fahey.

She has shaped like in need of further ever since her 10f win at Beverley and she finally steps up to 12f on decent ground today. Paul Hanagan rode her the last day and he has opted to ride Doctor Cross this time, but that doesn’t worry me too much as Paddy Mathers is a jockey I have a lot of time for. She has to race from 2lb out of the handicap off her mark of 69 (runs off 71) but I think the step up in trip should help her massively, as will the quick ground, and at odds of 33/1 she is worth chancing each way for small stakes.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: LIQUID GOLD E/W @ 33/1.

Cleary Could Carry Roche’s Charge Home At The Curragh

I think that overall, Chester wasn’t too bad for us with Another Batt scoring at 10/1 and loads more placing, or at least running well. Fun Mac and Above The Rest both hit the frame for us on Friday, but unfortunately we had to go without a winner. There are some serious handicaps to get stuck into on Saturday, and I fancy one in the 6f contest at 2.45 at the Curragh.
 

Rory Cleary is riding with confidence at the moment. 

Way Back Home sneaks in off a low weight at the foot of the handicap and I think this son of Power is overpriced on some of his maiden form, particularly his only previous run over today’s course and distance on yielding/soft. That was a cracking effort given that he was dropped out the back early on by Gary Carroll and he showed a nice enough turn of foot in the last couple of furlongs. He may only have finished 8th but he was only 4L behind the winner.

The winner of that race hasn’t run since but the runner up Kion has and he won two races on the all weather in England since, earning a rating of 84. Powersville was 3rd (3L ahead of Way Back Home getting 5lb) and he has won twice since and is re-opposing here 13lb worse off in the weights with the selection. Castrogiovanni finished a head in front of Roche’s charge and he is now rated 85. I think that is pretty decent form and he races off a mark of just 71 on his return to the Curragh for the first time since.

Way Back Home is by Power and out of a Hawk Wing mare so he doesn’t exactly jump off the page as an obvious heavy ground horse. However, he was 2L too good for Vinnie’s Wish over 7f when they clashed on heavy at Limerick behind Imaging last season off level weights and he is now 6lb better off with that rival who is priced up at just 10/1.

Way Back home went well for a long way before fading at Cork on his seasonal reappearance, and in my opinion it was stamina and fitness rather than the ground that beat him. He pulled very hard early on too and the drop in trip will help in that regard. He should strip a lot fitter with that run under his belt and the booking of Rory Cleary is a massive plus in my book. He has won more races at the Curragh (33) than at any other turf track in Ireland during his career and hopefully he makes it 34 tomorrow. At odds of 33/1 I think Way Back Home is worth chancing each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 2.45 CURRAGH-WAY BACK HOME E/W @ 33/1

Chester May Festival Day 3 Preview And Tips

Race 1

The opening race on the final day of the Chester May Festival is a very competitive looking 7.5f handicap. The one I like from a good draw in stall 3 is former course and distance winner Above The Rest. This 7yo son of Excellent Art was beaten out of sight last time in a Listed heat at Leicester but he had excuses as the ground was far too testing for him.

He will be a lot more at home on the nice ground at Chester and he has yet to run a bad race at the track. From four visits he has a win, two places and a fourth and he has never been beaten further than 2.25L at Chester. He remains 4lb above his last winning mark but I think he is capable of producing a big run at a course he loves and at odds of 10/1 he should go well for each way backers.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: ABOVE THE REST E/W @ 10/1 NAP

Race 2

The second race of the day is the 10.5f Group 2 Huxley Stakes and Eminent is a warm order to win on his seasonal reappearance. This talented son of Frankel was mixing it at the highest level last season and he was beaten less than 2L in the Derby when he was hampered near the finish. He won the Craven in decisive style on his return to action last year and his other win came in a Group 2 at Deauville.  

Eminent is the class horse in this race.

Martyn Meade’s son of Frankel is probably at his very best over today’s trip of 10f and if he is even 90% fit he should be capable of winning this. Of the remainder, I think War Decree could be the big danger now dropped in class. He was well beaten in Meydan back in March behind Benbatl but he beat Thunder Snow on his last start at Group 2 level at Goodwood (7f) and he proved he stays this far when winning a Group 3 at Dundalk. O’Brien’s horses are running well and a small reverse forecast with the favourite is advised.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: EMINENT/WAR DECREE REVERSE FORECAST

Race 3

A field of 12 horses will go to post for this 10.5f handicap and the one I like at a nice each way price is Super Kid for Tim Easterby and David Allan. We were mightily unlucky with Dance King for the same connections on Day 2 so hopefully this fella gets the rub of the green this afternoon after his very promising comeback run after a long absence at Ripon last time out.

This 6yo son of Exceed And Excel was formerly trained by Saeed bin Suroor for Godolphin and his sole win for the boys in blue was a 10f all weather handicap at Lingfield off a mark of 90. He ran a superb race after almost 3 years off the track on his first start for Easterby last time over 12f (a trip that stretches him) and the handicapper dropped him 2lb for that run. Off 94 I think he is capable of making his presence felt and with the drop back in trip likely to suit (form figures of 22321 over 10f) he is worth backing each way at 14/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: SUPER KID E/W @ 14/1 NB

Race 4

With a maximum field of 17 horses due to go to post the Chester Cup looks as tricky a puzzle to solve as ever this season. Even over a trip of 2 miles and 2.5 furlongs the draw is hugely important and it usually pays to back something that is drawn nearer the inner than the outside. The one I like at a nice price from a decent starting berth in stall 5 is last year’s third Fun Mac.
 

The draw has been kinder to Fun Mac this year.

This son of Shirocco was making his seasonal reappearance in this contest last season and he ran a huge race from a poor draw in stall 13. This year the draw gods have been kinder and he returns for a repeat bid off a pound lower than last season when he was only beaten a length. Oisin Murphy has a fine record when riding for Hughie Morrison (11 wins and 16 top 4 finishes from just 60 rides) and at odds of 14/1 Fun Mac looks overpriced and should be backed each way for small stakes.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: FUN MAC E/W @ 14/1

Race 5

With Sir Maximilian unlikely to take his chance this conditions race will only have 7 runners so for that reason I won’t be having a bet.

Race 6

The one I like in this 12.5f apprentice handicap is Corton Lad for Scottish raider Keith Dalgleish and Rowan Scott. This 8 time turf winner has had a couple of runs to blow away the cobwebs this season and he should be nearing peak fitness now. He was well beaten first time back on the all weather at Newcastle but he shaped as though he was coming back into form when not beaten all that far over 13f at Hamilton last time (gd/sft).

Corton Lad could go well at a price.

His last win came in May of last year at Hamilton off a mark of 87 and he was winning his second race in the space of two days having previously scored at Musselburgh off 81. He is now rated 82 so he is handicapped to go close and the more the ground dries out the better it will be for his chances. His form figures from 3 runs at Chester read 445 and at odds of 16/1 hopefully he can hit the frame on Friday.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: CORTON LAD E/W @ 16/1

Race 7

The final race of the Chester May Festival is the Chester Plate, the consolation race for horses that didn’t make the cut for the Chester Cup. A field of 16 horses will take their chances in this 18.5f contest and just like in the big one, the draw is crucial. Guard Of Honour has been handed an okay draw in stall 8 and given his decent record when fresh he is an interesting contender for George Baker and Trevor Whelan.

Baker has his string in good form at the moment and while he hasn’t had a winner in the past two weeks he has had 4 seconds from his last 8 runners. Guard Of Honour returns to action off a mark of 89 and he showed he can be competitive off that rating when 4th at Newbury (18f gd/fm), beaten just over 3L, on his seasonal return in 2017. He will get the trip and if Baker has him ready to rock after his 282 day absence I think he has the ability to run a big race at odds of 25/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: GUARD OF HONOUR E/W @ 25/1

Chester May Festival Day 2 Preview And Tips

Race 1

This 5f sprint is chock full of early pace and I can see them going at it hammer and tongs from the outset. Over half of the field are fond of making the running and with so much pace in the race I think this could set up for a closer. Sir Maximilian may be drawn out wide in stall 8, but I think this two time course and distance winner is capable of sitting off the pace and swooping late.
 

This race could be run to suit Sir Maximilian.

This fella is a 9yo now so he isn’t getting any younger but the handicapper has given him a big chance by dropping him to 97, 11lb lower than the mark he won a hot handicap off in Meydan two years ago. He ran a couple of crackers out there this season off 102, so clearly some ability remains. If the first time cheek pieces have a positive effect I think this race could be run to suit this strong traveller and at odds of 14/1 he represents good each way value in an open contest.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: SIR MAXIMILIAN E/W @ 14/1

Race 2

Only 7 horses go to post for the Dee Stakes and after seeing Young Rascal’s impressive win yesterday it is hard to oppose his previous conqueror My Lord And Master. Both horses are trained by William Haggas and on that occasion in a maiden at Nottingham My Lord And Master slammed Young Rascal by 6L, making all and never looking in danger.

My Lord And Master went down by a neck on his seasonal return at Epsom, just his third career start and he ought to strip a lot fitter with that outing under his belt. The two Aidan O’Brien horses are obviously feared but if My Lord And Master can reproduce the form of that Nottingham win I think he is the one to beat.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: MY LORD AND MASTER @ 11/4

Race 3

Another Batt interests me from an excellent draw in stall 2 in this 7.5f handicap. George Scott’s son of Windsor Knot has been an admirably consistent type so far on grass with his sole poor effort coming on his seasonal return on the all weather at Newcastle. However, he followed that up with a cracker of a run on his handicap debut off 101 at Newmarket (7f gd) and the assessor has dropped him a pound to 100.

Another Batt is a tough and consistent horse.

He is already a listed winner over 6f and he has a string of fine efforts in that class to his name, including when beaten just a neck by Raydiance, a horse that is thought very highly of by connections. He is drawn to attack, he won’t mind a drop of rain and Silvestre De Sousa knows him well. At odds of 10/1 he looks sure to give each way backers a good run for their money.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: ANOTHER BATT E/W @ 10/1 NB

Race 4

The feature race on Day 2 of the Chester May Festival is the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes and with an official rating of 119 Idaho should be hard to beat. However, his recent form figures of 68458 hardly inspire confidence, even if those runs came at the highest level. His last win came in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot in June of last year and if he was to reproduce that level of form 11/10 will look a big price when this race is finished. With just 6 runners going to post I am going to swerve this race and just watch it. No bet.

Race 5

No bet in this 2yo maiden either, it is a race to watch with a view to the future.

Race 6

It isn’t very often that you see Aidan O’Brien running one in a handicap at Chester and I think Christopher Robin has outstanding claims upped in trip to 12f on decent ground off a mark of just 81. He was beaten by a couple of extremely smart horses on his first two starts, firstly when beaten just 3L by Nelson on his only start on decent ground on his debut at Leopardstown (8f gd).

He followed that up with another creditable effort on yielding ground when just over 5L behind Guineas hero and Derby favourite Saxon Warrior at the Curragh (8f yld) but his last two starts were on soft/heavy and the son of Camelot clearly needs decent ground to be seen at his best. I think a mark of 81 looks well within his compass once the heavens don’t open and at odds of 4/1 Christopher Robin looks the one to be on.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: CHRISTOPHER ROBIN E/W @ 4/1 NAP

Race 7

The final race on Day 2 of the Chester May Festival is a tricky looking 10f handicap and a case can be made for quite a few. The one I like for each way purposes is Tim Easterby’s 8yo son of Danehill Dancer, Dance King. This fella races off 88, 3lb above his last winning mark, but he is capable of being competitive off this rating and his record second time up after running poorly on his seasonal reappearance is quite good.

Last season he was beaten just a short head second time out at Ripon after running no sort of race there 3 weeks earlier and he has had a similar break after his poor effort at Thirsk. He has a decent looking draw in stall 6, stable jockey David Allan rides and if he gets a good pace to aim at and a bit of luck in running I think Dance Alone could go well at 16/1 for each way players.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: DANCE KING E/W @ 16/1