Day 1 of York’s Dante meeting with the highlights being the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes and the Group 3 Musidora.
The 6 furlong Duke Of York features some of the top sprinters around and this looks a good renewal with Brando, Magical Memory, The Tin Man and Suedois amongst the 13 runners. Brando is the favourite and he is hard to oppose following his comfortable reappearance win at Newmarket on good to firm ground. He is sure to have come on for that run and the softer ground here will play to his strengths. At a shade under 3/1, he’s not a price for us but, equally, he’s solid enough to make this a no bet race.
The same can be said of the Musidora which has a disappointing turn out of just 5 runners. Shutter Speed is long odds on and cannot really be opposed on what she’s done on the track with 2 wins from 2. The only doubt is that the ground might be a bit soft but if that’s the case, you’d be expecting John Gosden to withdraw her. Whilst open to improvement, it speaks volumes that the Irish raider Vociferous Marina is 2nd favourite as her form really isn’t anything to get excited about.
Instead, we’ll stick to the handicaps and go with 1 bet in the opener.
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2.20 York
A really good handicap to start the meeting, a Class 2 over 1 mile 2 furlongs with a big field of 20 going to post. The draw is important here and the last thing you want is to be drawn wide. With small margins expected to make all the difference here, it’s probably worth opposing well fancied horses such as Shabeeb, Speed Company and Cosmeapolitan on that basis.
Of the better fancied types, Lovell has something to prove on his first start since disappointing at Royal Ascot and Al Neksh might just prefer a smaller field.
The 2 on the shortlist that were discarded late on were Repercussion and Master Carpenter. The former will like the ground and hails from a yard in form but still has to prove he’s ahead of his mark, whilst Master Carpenter has conditions to suit now after everything being against him in both the Lincoln and the Spring Cup but there’s a suspicion he’s either a 1 mile horse on softish ground or 1 mile 2 furlongs on good ground. The leads us to the recommended bet which has plenty going for him.
Saunter – Has raced the last twice in France in Listed company and has performed creditably on both occasions. He closed last season finishing 2nd on heavy ground before running in midfield this term on ground a little too lively. He will almost certainly have improved fitness wise and looks primed to run well here now the ground has come in his favour.
His first run in this country was at the back end of August last year and, like his name, sauntered clear to win his maiden by 5 lengths. He followed up in Class 3 handicap company in similarly taking style and looked a very well handicapped horse off 90. He went off a well backed favourite on his last handicap start off a revised mark of 99 but failed to last home over 1 mile 4 furlongs and didn’t really appreciate the faster ground. He was not disgraced all the same and left the impression there was more to come.
There are some good vibes coming from the yard and they expect ‘a very big run’. He’s drawn well in 7 and has enough in his favour to recommend a bet at a decent each way price.
Tips
Back Saunter (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Coral BOG (¼ odds 1-4)
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