Jimmy Can Turn On The Style

Racing fans are in for a real treat this week when all eyes will be focused on the Dante Meeting at York for what promises to be three intriguing and informative days of action on the Knavesmire.
Wednesday’s card features the Group 3 Musidora Stakes for 3-y-o fillies and is one of the last major recognised Epsom Oaks trials to be run. John Gosden is seeking a hat-trick in this event having won the last two renewals. His representative this year is the once-raced Woodland Aria who made a promising start to her career with a smooth success in a Wolverhampton maiden. This event also sees the eagerly awaited return to the track for Liber Nauticus who looks set to be sent off a short priced favourite on the back of her impressive debut last backend. The beautifully bred filly, trained by Michael Stoute, has been to the fore of the Oaks market ever since she made a huge impression when winning at Goodwood. I had the benefit of attending that day and she looked a filly with huge potential, after being niggled along early and outpaced soon into the straight she quickened up smartly inside the final two furlongs to win going away in a decent time. I fancy she will take this before lining up at Epsom.

The other highlight on the opening day is the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes which looks set to be a crackerjack of a race with some up and coming sprinters taking on seasoned older campaigners. And it is one of the older brigade who catches my eye here with Champion Jockey Richard Hughes being booked to ride Jimmy Styles. The tough 9-y-o made a promising reappearance at Newmarket, finishing runner-up behind Tickled Pink who re-opposes here, despite stumbling shortly after leaving the stalls and drifting badly in the market suggesting he may not have been fully wound up for his return. I expect him to run a big one here and he should be value on the 50 Index where we should make profit if he secures a top 4 placing. The ultra-consistent Maarek is also entered and if the forecast rain materialises then he would be a big player also.

Thursday’s card includes the Dante Stakes where more Derby aspirations will be on the line. The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing owned Telescope was due to run here but has had a late setback so they rely on the Luca Cumani trained Greatwood. He ran 2nd in the big Sales race at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance where he split Windhoek and Ghurair who both re-oppose here. Of the trio I take Windhoek to confirm the placings from HQ but wouldn’t be surprised if the main danger came from Aidan O’Brien’s Indian Chief. This Montjeu colt displayed a telling change of pace when winning his maiden and that could prove the difference if this becomes a tactical affair but I will stick with Mark Johnston’s Windhoek, he is unbeaten in 3 starts and looks to have plenty of improvement left in him.

The other highlight on Thursday is the Group 2 Middleton Stakes for older Fillies & Mares. One I will have on my side here is the Gosden filly Starscope who was placed twice at Group 1 level last season and won’t mind any rain that arrives. The main danger could come from across the channel in the shape of French-trained Dalkala. Her connections made a successful foray to the Knavesmire last summer when capturing the Yorkshire Oaks with Shareta and Dalkala must be respected.
Friday’s highlight the Yorkshire Cup gives the stayers a chance to shine but this looks set to be an average renewal. Sir Graham Wade keeps on improving for Mark Johnston and will be of interest after finishing 3rd in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last time. I fancy old boy Cavalryman can come out on top here and give Godolphin some much needed cheer. The 7-y-o rather lost his way for 2 seasons after looking very promising as a young horse but connections look like being rewarded for their patience as he has gradually found top form again in the last 12 months culminating with a very impressive Group 3 win at Meydan in March. He has run creditably at York before, finishing 4th in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup and a repeat of that should see him go close.

The Judge’s York Bets

Wednesday:
3.15 Jimmy Styles 1pt e/w @ 25/1

Thursday:
2.45 Windhoek 2pt win @ 4/1

Friday:
Cavalryman 1pt e/w

Spreads Advice
Jimmy Styles – BUY @ 6 or lower on 50 Index