The feature of day one of York‘s three day May meeting is the 6f Duke Of York Stakes and it looks a top class renewal. Muthmir looks a potential sprinting star this season but he has never won first time out and just might be a bit keen this afternoon. Whatever he does today the 20/1 for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot next month looks too big although he does need good or faster ground to be seen at his best.
Lucky Kristale was given a poor ride by Tom Queally at Newmarket on her reappearance and she is taken to reward each way support at 12/1 with BetVictor. The filly had a disappointing season last year when connections tried to stretch her stamina to a mile but she looked happier back sprinting at HQ and can run a big race for Newmarket trainer George Margarson.
The opening 20-runner 10f handicap is a tricky puzzle to solve but I like the booking of Ryan Moore for the lightly-raced Satellite (2.10) who is fitted with a hood for the first time since running, arguably, a career best at Doncaster back in June. The selection was tried at 12f on his last three starts last term but often refused to settle and first time out and a gelding operation might see him in a better light. He is 9/1 at BetVictor (unbeaten Mahsoob 3/1 favourite) and I would be disappointed if he didn’t go close.
The Musidora Stakes looks a match between Star Of Seville (3.45) and Ballydoyle’s Together Forever and preference for the former is marginal. The selection has won two of her three careers starts and created a very favourable impression when winning a minor Conditions race at Newbury on her reappearance. She receives 4lbs from the Irish raider and that might be enough for the John Gosden trained filly who goes into the Oaks trial 10/1 for next month’s Epsom classic at BetVictor.
Trainer Richard Guest has his string in good form and I hope Udododontu runs well in the 7f handicap; eight of the 17 strong field are last time out winners although the selection finished third at Chepstow last time out over a mile from a 2lb lower mark. Guest has made no secret of the fact that he believes his son of Lope De Vega is potentially the best he has trained and the drop back in trip from a mile to 7f should suit.
William Haggas’ saddles Foreign Diplomat (4.20) and this son of Oasis Dream broke his maiden on his reappearance at Thirsk and although his draw could have been kinder they have tended to race up the middle of the track on the Knavesmire in recent years.
At Perth Gordon Elliot is always a man to fear and his Russian Regent (7.55) can follow up the stable’s win in the feature Chase 12 months ago with Richard Johnson taking the mount. The likely favourite Winged Crusader runs under a 7lb penalty having scored at Kelso last week but he has never been the most consistent and the Irish raider ran an eye-catching race at Navan last time.
The form of Thinger Licht’s (3.05) Worcester win last week was franked when By The Boardwalk scored at Towcester on Monday and the Dan Skelton trained 6 year-old will take a big hike in the weights. The waters are muddies by the fact that the selection was subsequently beaten at Warwick, over a trip too far, and he is confidently expected to bounce back at Kempton.
Alan King’s McCabe Creek (3.35) is taken to appreciate the best ground he has encountered to date having ran a couple of decent races on soft ground on his last couple of starts. The 5-year-old is out of a Presenting mare and can find the necessary improvement with Aidan Coleman a significant booking for the yard.
Ballybough Pat (4.05) returned to something like his best form at Chepstow last time and can race off the same mark for David Dennis. The selection once looked a very decent prospect for Anthony Honeyball over hurdles and lost little in defeat off this mark at Chepstow last time when running to the line for the first time in a number of races.
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