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 with promise 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 on the evidence of this display.
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 alertly again towards the nearside rail, he soon built up an advantage the rest could not bridge and he went on to score in very impressive 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 short term target.
May 14 – York – Maybe Not – 82
A race that is often a pointer towards some of the best 1m handicaps for the rest of the season, and this year’s renewal should turn out to be no different. Predictably, Point Lynas ensured the gallop was honest from the outset and he is usually a good guide to the value of the form. As for the winner, she did remarkably well to overcome her coffin box draw and it was no mean feat to come from last to first in a such a competitive race. Clearly way better than her current rating of 86, the Kensington Palace was muted as a potential target for her next and her hold-up run style can be seen to good effect at the Royal fixture.
May 14 – York – Item – 83
This year’s renewal of the Dante didn’t have a particularly strong look to it beforehand, but time may tell we witnessed a good winner in the shape of Andrew Balding’s colt. Having his first run for 226 days, the son of Frankel was giving fitness advantage away to most of his rivals but despite that impost, he proved too good for his rivals on the day. Action bowled along at the head of affairs and made it a true test at the trip and the flashy chestnut really impressed the way he galloped all the way to the line. Based on our data, he has posted the best speed figure – albeit only marginally – of the Derby entries to date and both he and Legacy Link look the obvious each-way alternatives to the Ballydoyle battalions at this stage.
May 15 – York – Warrant Holder – 82
Another competitive handicap, but the market spoke heavily in favour of John & Thady Gosden’s inmate and this guy will no doubt be on the team for Royal Ascot after justifying his market position with some aplomb. Gelded and sporting a tongue-tie for the first time, the son of Frankel scored with more in hand than the bare result indicated and he will have a choice of options at the Berkshire venue in a month’s time
May 15 – York – Rahiebb – 81
The market beforehand only wanted to know Amiloc, which was a shade surprising in retrospect, and although he turned out to be a huge disappointment, that should not detract from the performance of Roger Varian’s colt. The son of Frankel not only arguably had the best form to bring to the party courtesy of his effort in the St Leger, he had valuable course form to call upon, and he didn’t need any second invitation to put those factors to good use. The way he stayed on to win going away offers up plenty of hope he will get further and he should remain relevant in all the big ‘Cup’ races throughout the season.
May 16 – Newbury – Notable Speech – 86
There were plenty of differing permutations beforehand but in the end, pure class became the defining quality and Charlie Appleby’s 2000 Guineas winner showed all the brilliance he had threatened to show off in several previous efforts. Massively unlucky in the States the run before, he had been ante-post favourite off the back of that eye-catching performance but following the poor form of his yard in the build up to the race, he somehow was allowed to drift out to 6-1 the day before. Punted at all rates down again to 2-1 at the off, confidence grew on the back of the stable’s two winners at Newmarket the previous day and those who kept the faith were handsomely rewarded. Likely to go straight to The Queen Anne next, it will take a good one to lower his colours if in the same form.
May 16 – Newbury – Kalpana – 89
This saw the return of dual Group 1 winner Kalpana, but she carried a 7lb penalty for her latest victory in the British Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes and as is often the case under those circumstances, the market fielded against her. However, she proved that weight has little relevance where class is concerned and she duly made a successful return to the fray. Entitled to get a little tired late on given the gallop set, she was better than the bare result suggested and this career high time figure points towards her being a big player in all the major middle-distance Group 1’s this term.
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.