On a very wet Tuesday afternoon, York plays host to the start of three great days of Flat racing, with a high class Oaks trial today and a Derby trial tomorrow, plus fiercely competitive handicaps. Best advice would be to watch the latest going reports like a hawk as the rain is still falling up there as I write. I would expect something like Good to Soft, Soft in places by the end of play today. In this preview, I look ahead to the first four races on today's card.
1.45 - Infinity Tyres Handicap (1m2f):
A tricky opener with both First Mohican and Lahaag likely to figure at the head of the market. Both have similar profiles in that they improved greatly last season and are from yards who historically do well with this type of horse. Of the pair, I would probably favour First Mohican as he is proven over this trip and on the likely soft going. If you wanted an each way dabble at double figure odds, you could do worse than back Silvery Moon under Ted Durcan. He has a really decent record when running on ground with some dig in, and last year he improved plenty from his first run to his second run of the season. He is now a 1lb lower than his last winning mark which would help even more.
2.15 - Infinity Ecosis Tyres Handicap - (6f):
Another wide open race, which annoyingly is down to three places with a couple of non runners. At first glance, Louis The Pious screams out as an improver on only his third start for David O'Meara. He ran a great race over this course and distance on soft ground in October and has to be feared by all. Nocturn is a rapidly improving colt who should run with plenty of credit here. I would split stakes each way in this with Compton and Bapak Chinta. Compton firstly is only having his second start for Robert Cowell, a yard I really respect with older sprinters. He ran well enough to a point on seasonal debut and acts well in soft ground. Willie Twiston Davies has ridden him once before to be a very close fourth to Jack Dexter on Champions Day last year and he should go close. Bapak Chinta is risky, but he is a Group 2 winner as a youngster and hasn't been over-raced. The handicapper has given him a chance and 33/1 is over the top.
2.45 - Musidora Stakes - (1m2f):
A race that revolves around Liber Nauticus and whether the hype surrounding her is justified. She may be a world beater, but at this stage, she's won a Goodwood maiden beating some fair horses nicely. She has a mark of 86 but is odds on for a Group 3, that is very short. The handicapper has Indigo Lady on a mark of 104, a full 18lbs more than the odds on favourite, and she is 13/2. That in itself represents value. I also think Hollowina could run very well as she is race fit after a luckless passage at Chester, has won with lots of juice in the ground before and is overpriced at 14/1. Woodland Aria is a complete unknown after a smooth Wolverhampton maiden win so she would be a threat.
3.15 - Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes - (6f):
What a race! This is a Group 1 in everything but name. Mince deserves to be right at the head of the market after a very productive year last term for Roger Charlton. However, this is her toughest test to date and she may have to find another couple of pounds to win this. Another filly in the line up is Tickled Pink for Sir Henry Cecil, who won the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket last time in good style. She got things her own way there and I would be a little surprised if there weren't a couple too strong in the closing stages for her. I think Society Rock and Gordon Lord Byron are worth a look, but have very tough tasks with their respective Grade 1 penalties. I do think Maarek though is the one to beat for Paul Hanagan. He loves soft ground and this looks a very suitable opportunity for him to at least be in the frame. If it's a double figure price you are looking for, then Jack Dexter is the way to go. He is improving and needs to have soft in the going description somewhere. The only slight worry would be that Graham Lee didn't pick him over Hawkeyethenoo.
I hope you have enjoyed this preview. If you have any feedback, either tweet me @willbowler2k12 or fill in the box below.
Enjoy the racing,
Will
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