May 13 – York – Cut A Dash – 73
Some of the better two-year-olds are beginning to emerge (has taken longer than usual), and Richard Hannon’s inmate created a favourable impression on his debut. tracking the decent pace set by Spectacular Diver over towards the far side, the son of Starspangledbanner sidled up to the leader two out and from that juncture he exhibited a smart turn of foot to quicken clear. Posting a useful speed figure, he put himself firmly in the Royal Ascot conversation and he will have options over the five or six furlong trips.
May 13 – York – Dark Thirty – 84
First of many competitive handicaps on the Knavesmire and a winner from a team well adverse to success at one of their local tracks. John & Sean Quinn’s gelding had run well there before and had shaped well on his previous outing, so it was no real surprise he came alive when it mattered most. As of yet, the six-year-old hasn’t excelled at Ascot, which could well be his next destination, but either way, he will need keeping on side when he returns to the Yorkshire venue at a future date. Of the rest, runner-up, Binhareer, really caught the eye with the way he finished off his race and this effort has to go down as the perfect Wokingham trial.
May 13 – York – Elmonjed – 84
As is often the case at York, course form once again came to the fore in this Group 2 sprint and William Haggas’ inmate proved the flat, galloping nature of the track suits him best of all. Now 31111 on the Knavesmire, connections must wish they could run all his races at the track but at the same time, he is just adept elsewhere and he continues to improve.
May 13 – York – Legacy Link – 82
Unlike the race won by Amelia Earhart at Chester (64), this was a proper Oaks trial run at a solid tempo and John & Thady Gosden’s filly came through the test with flying colours. In seeing off her main rival, Felicitas, she suggested she will have no trouble with the extra distance at Epsom and providing she can handle the undulations in a month’s time, the daughter of Dubawi looks likely to be a big player. As for the runner-up, she didn’t appear to stay the trip and the French version will surely suit her better. The third home, K Sarra, caught the eye with the way she finished off her race and she looks likely to go down the Ribblesdale route. in which she will be a big player.
May 14 – York – Jakajaro – 86
Robert Cowell’s inmate had seemingly turned over a new leaf when winning at Newmarket previously and the only reason he was dismissed in the betting stemmed from the theory his high draw (18) might prove tricky to overcome. However, breaking extremely alerted again towards the nearside rail, he soon built up an advantage the rest could not bridge and he went on to score in very impression style. Based on the figure we awarded him, he is easily up to the level of Group race sprinters and the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot looks the most likely target.
May 14 – York – Maybe Not – 82
May 14 – York – Item – 83
May 15 – York – Warrant Holder – 82
May 15 – York – Rahiebb – 81
May 16 – Newbury – Notable Speech – 86
May 16 – Newbury – Kalapna – 89
May 16 – Thirsk – Kodi Bear Light – 74
We bookend this week’s column with another smart juvenile in the shape of Karl Burke’s filly and she too, looks destined to go to Royal Ascot on the back of this display. Putting her valuable experience to good use, she assumed command from an early stage and despite being pressed late on, she found the necessary requirements to fend off her pursuers. The way she saw out the trip suggests 6f will be in her range and The Albany would be her preferred race of choice.