York stages a typically fascinating card on the first day of the May meeting which will definitely yield plenty of clues for the future, not least for the Oaks with four of the first six in the betting for the Epsom Classic lining up in the Musidora Stakes this afternoon. With little public form to go on it's take your pick in that one. The only certainty is that a decisive winner will be made favourite for the big race itself.
Best bet of the day is Allied Powers 4.55pm in the last. The form of his Chester win last week looks rock-solid and he shouldn't have a problem with the step down in trip such is the speed he has demonstrated on his racecourse appearances thus far. He looks primed to defy a 6lb penalty.
I took a long look at the Duke Of York Stakes as I started the season fully intending to back US Ranger under his favoured circumstances this campaign. He will be suited by the six-furlong trip and the fast ground but as he has to be held up and produced late, I just wonder whether he's going to get isolated from his wide draw. There's plenty of pace among those drawn low and I suggest a split-stakes wager on a couple of horses.
First on Utmost Respect 3.10pm. He is relatively unexposed and his trainer believes he may not be too inconvenienced by the fastish ground. He would not have to improve significantly to figure here and is in fine fettle after his seasonal debut success. Second on Haatef 3.10pm who looks primed to run a big race from stall two and whose trainer is making bulish noises. Both are 9-1 ... for now.
12pm Those familiar with the cartoons by Henry Mayo (HM) Bateman can imagine a new one this morning titled "The Racing Journalist Who Criticised York". York is revered among the racing press, its May meeting especially so, and it's very rare for one of its corps to break ranks on the subject.
Step forward my old colleague Malcolm Heyhoe, denizen of the Racing Post Weekender and gg.com tipster. In his preview piece for "gee-gee" today he takes a pop at York and the praise it receives. "I have never understood the eulogizing of the Knavesmire which has always struck me as markedly inferior to Goodwood's more seductive and dramatic charms while the classier environs of Newmarket's July course also leave York floundering," says Heyhoe. "There is too much northern bombast about York," he adds.
Heyhoe is right to lambast clerk of the course William Derby for his handling of the ground when Royal Ascot was transferred oop North in 2005 but is he right about the course as a venue? Does it deserve its reputation as "the Ascot of the North" or is it, as Heyhoe believes, overrated? Personally, I've always enjoyed my trips there but there could be some truth in the thoughts of a northern racing scribe friend of mine who considers the course is a little too self-important.
1.30pm Chris Cook tells me: "A few years ago, my dad and I were sitting in the members' stand at York reading the papers, fully two hours before the first race when hardly anyone else was there. It was a sweltering August day and dad had taken his jacket off and laid it on the seat beside him. Some functionary walked the entire length of the stand to tell him he must put his jacket on at once." It's not like Musselburgh says Chris -- "They sling you out for wearing a jacket there."
On to the racing. In the first at York, Gulf Express is definitely a horse of interest. He was expected to run a big race first time but was very disappointing with the jockey reporting his mount as "running flat." According to Big Mac and Femail on Channel 4 you can't give him away in the ring or on the exchanges. Smoke signals of that sort are usually right -- we'll see. I went for Tastahil after his big run last time. He was running against the likes of Authorized as a two-year-old.
1.45pm Godolphin are off the mark for the season. Frankie does the flying dismount after Folk Opera wins with Tastahil second. The winner was bought by Godolphin after running in the Lingfield Oaks Trial last year and will very likely prove better than this grade. Don't give up on Tastahil -- he ran as if a bit more cut and/or a longer trip would suit. One to keep in the notebook for sure. Gulf Express didn't make ground up the straight but very few got into this. Having looked at the review of the race again Tastahil is even more eye-catching.
By the way if you tuned in yesterday you'll know Kieren Fallon is having plenty of success tipping on his website. Today he has gone banko on Ainama (3.45) and put up Seasider (2.10) and Honoured Guest (3.10) each-way. Inriguingly, Seasider is the best backed in the next . . .
2.15pm Seasider has every chance but finishes weakly. Fastha wins and puts up a good show. Generous Thought runs a screamer to make second after struggling badly in the opening stages and having to come right round the field. Meydan Princess, the Guardian selection, is another who starts slowly and runs well to take third. One of the big points from this race is the hot form of the race Generous Thought was second in on April 18 at Newbury. Look out for Kal Barg who finished a promising sixth that day on ground that was very likely too soft-- he was due to run in this race today but was pulled out overnight, presumably due to some minor setback. He seems sure to go well once he's back on track. Another from that race to have in mind for future races is Choose Your Moment, who finished eighth after running into all sorts of bother.
The Musidora Stakes is next and one which should yield plenty of clues, and not just for the Oaks for which this is a recognised trial. Big Mac reports solid support for Lush Lashes and Moonstone who are now joint-favourites.
2.45pm Lush Lashes will be the new favourite for the Oaks after winning this trial from Cape Amber in convincing fashion. She was travelling well before taking up the running and kicking clear. And while Jim Bolger won't be winning the Derby with New Approach, who he is not running, he should be winning the Oaks at Epsom with Lush Lashes. Cape Amber runs a fine race to take second having been out the back halfway down the straight. Moonstone runs green and had an unhappy passage after being bumped into on the bend into the straight. Meanwhile, Irish firm Cashmans go 5-2 Lush Lashes, 10-1 bar the rest for the Oaks.
Bloody hell -- this just in. According to the stable's travelling head lad, who has spoken to Lush Lashes' trainer Jim Bolger, he says all options are open but the preferred target at present is the Irish Oaks. What has Jim Bolger got against Epsom? "He wouldn't rule out Epsom but the preferred option is The Curragh [for the Irish Oaks]," says the travelling head lad on Racing UK. The Irish Oaks comes over a month after the English Oaks so Lush Lashes could easily run in both. The Bolger team are stressing they have not ruled out Epsom but it's an extraordinary state of affairs that the trainer who could have the hot favourite in both the Derby and the Oaks may not run his horses in either.
3.20pm Given the luck of the draw, which US Ranger didn't get there, I believe I have just seen a Royal Ascot winner. Aidan O'Brien's runner went off the favourite in the big sprint at York -- he only finishes fourth but has run on in eye-catching style from an impossible position. Ink in Saturday June 21st, 3.45pm Royal Ascot in your diaries. US Ranger will go for the Golden Jubilee Stakes and provided he gets the rub of the green I think he will take all the beating. The July Cup at Newmarket would be another race which should play to US Ranger's strengths.
War Artist has travelled well before snatching second, also from a disadvantageous post position in stall one. He apparently looked the part in the paddock beforehand so mark him down as a horse to follow in the big sprints too.
5.00pm Collection puts up an impressive handicap performance in the last race at York and Allied Powers would have had something on to beat this winner if he had turned up for the gig. Collection is clearly one to follow -- in fact don't say you weren't told. Our chief tipster, Ron Cox, gave it as one of his ten to follow two months ago!!
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