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By Billy Blakeman ValueChecker

York Dante Meeting - Tips for TV races on Day One
11/05/11

The York Dante meeting gets underway on Wednesday and Channel 4 are showing four races live. First off at 1.30 is a 10f handicap for older horses and 20-runners are due to go to post. The draw can have an effect here and historically, a high berth has proved a huge disadvantage over this course and distance. With the modern tendency to race down the middle, it is probably not the burden it once was but even so, favourites Pekan Star and Taqleed, drawn 17 and 20, could possibly be vulnerable.

Sirvino
© Racehorse Photos

Four year olds have taken the last 4 runnings of this (3 for Godolphin) but a couple of 7-y-o’s have been successful in the past 10-years and it is an older horse who gets my vote. Sirvino  had a remarkable season as a 4-y-o, winning 5 consecutive handicaps, the last of which was over this course and distance. Having climbed up the handicap by 39 lbs, he was entitled to struggle in 2010 but did manage a couple of decent seconds off today’s kind of mark. All ground seems to come alike and although his recent comeback was quiet, that was at Epsom and I am inclined to think he will be fitter and more competitive today. 25/1 as I write and that is an appealing price.

Sir Michael Stoute has not yet hit top form and that remains a slight concern but his Treble Jig is another prime contender. After just the six runs, the colt is sure to have more to offer this season and he is another whose recent comeback should be viewed sympathetically; this time the trip being too short. Looks on a decent mark and from stall 10, he could be in the thick of the action.

Fellow Newmarket handler Henry Cecil has a very interesting runner in Diescentric. A winner of last season’s Wood Ditton, the son of Diesis was seen only once since and so he clearly could be anything. Market confidence or lack thereof could point the way on this one.

Shropshire
© Racehorse Photos

Of the rest, both Sand Skier and Pleasant Day make some appeal. The former is on a good mark and Kieren Fallon rides for Mark Johnston. The latter struck form for his new yard last time and need only repeat that kind of effort here to be in the money at least.

Backing favourites in 3-y-o handicaps isn’t my favourite policy at this stage of the season but I cannot see anything with a better chance than Shropshire in the 2.00. Barry Hills’ colt has a Derby entry and his 10-length third to Frankel at Newbury is clearly form from the top drawer. 

The Musidora Stakes can go to the Henry Cecil trained Arizona Jeweland the Blue Square sponsored Duke Of York Stakes can go to Regal Parade, who looks sure to benefit more than some from the recent rain. Had the ground remained fast, rank-outsider Tiddliwinks might have run better than expected but there is no evidence he wants any cut on grass, a surface he has yet to win on.

Recommendations for York:

1.30 - Sirvino
2.00 - Shropshire
2.30 - Arizona Jewel
3.00 - Regal Parade