I was very impressed by a couple of performances at York on the opening day; Magical Memory (7s from 10s at BetVictor for the Diamond Jubilee) looked a potential sprinting star in the Duke Of York whilst So Mi Dar (5/2 from 5/1 at BetVictor for the Oaks) in the Musidora looked as if she would give Minding plenty to think about at Epsom.
The final Day of York’s May meeting and in the listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes Nemoralia (3.30) can make a winning reappearance for Jeremy Noseda and Frankie Dettori who had an opening day treble on the Knavesmire.
The filly ended last season with an excellent third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf and the winner (Catch A Glimpse) is unbeaten in three subsequent starts and the runner up (Alice Springs) finished third in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket at the beginning of the month.
The Group 2 Yorkshire Cup is the feature event and I hope Flying Officer (4.05) can make all under Dettori having finished an excellent third at Ascot on his reappearance; Clever Cookie finished half a length in front of the selection at Ascot but is 5lbs worse off today and the prevailing fast ground might not suit the northern challenger.
Second Step is 3lbs clear on official figures but is making his seasonal reappearance and didn’t look to stay today’s 1m 6f trip in the Irish St Leger last term. Flying Officer is 13/8 at BetVictor and I think Frankie can make all.
In the 12f Handicap I think Project Bluebook (5.40) can land the hat-trick; a son of Sinndar the 3-year-old would not have been suited by underfoot conditions at Beverley last time and can follow up from a 4lbs higher mark. The gelding looks as if he will get further in time but the hope is that he gets a good gallop to chase and he can pounce late for Jason Hart.
Newbury stage the first day of their two-day Lockinge Meeting on ground that is likely to be testing and officially described as soft (heavy in places).
In the 10f maiden Ryan Moore rides Ulysses (4.15) and this colt still holds an entry in the Derby next month; the beautifully bred son of Oaks winner Light Shift finished second at Leicester on his reappearance and can go one better before going on to better things.
Gunnery (4.50) carries top-weight in the 11f Handicap but looked a decent sort when scoring at Haydock on his reappearance and an opening mark of 85 could be lenient for the colt who again has the assistance of Jamie Spencer.
The first of Aintree‘s summer jumps evenings and The Missus (5.25) is 3lbs higher than when finishing second at Newton Abbot last time, but she should probably have given she tried to duck out on that occasion. She certainly has her quirks but Sam Waley-Cohen might be wise to that eventuality as they pass the stands’ first time at Aintree and she remains well handicapped.
Skylander is worth noting to see if there is market confidence behind the David Pipe-trained runner returning from a five-month break. The nod, however, goes to Morning Reggie (5.55) who disappointed last time but has a fair amount of ability and should have the race run to suit.
The feature Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4f is a cracker and I’m looking forward to seeing War Sound step up in trip for the first time; the selection hasn’t been seen since finishing last in the Betfair Hurdle back in February and is still 8lbs higher than winning the Swinton last May.
He should go close but Saint Charles (7.05) will love the good ground and travelled well for much of the race when coming back from a 12 month lay-off back in March; his subsequent absence is a concern but the 6-y-old is Barry Geraghty’s sole booked mount of the night and he can go close in this valuable, competitive event.
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