The Dante Festival and York remained as unpredictable as ever. The Placepot won over £28,000, which just shows how unpredictable yesterday was for not only backing winners but backing each-way shots too. Hopefully today is easier with four more tips from the Knavesmire.
A Full House
2:15 – Lindum York Handicap – Clarendon House @ 13/2 (William Hill)
With the ground now good, Clarendon House has a great opportunity. He’s been running on the All-weather this Winter and has found success. No less on his current mark of 105. Whilst he did come fourth on heavy ground on his first turf start of the season, he was only one-and-a-half lengths behind, so the ground can be blamed for that result. On a winning mark, with good ground in his favour and drawn next the pace which comes from stall 11, he presents one of the best chances in the race.
Alligator Alley is no stranger to York. His last result on the Knavesmire was only beaten by a neck during the Ebor Festival. Since then, he’s mostly been running on the all-weather and comes into this race low in the weights. He’s dropped down to a mark of 89 so it should suit him better. He’s only won two turf races on firm ground, which is a worry. But a low mark should see him come over that obstacle. 12/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports).
Good Earth looks to have a good chance as an outsider. With three pounds taken off by Connor Planas, he’s down to a previous winning mark. He loves give in the ground and he can go prominent as he’s drawn next to Arecibo. His last win came off a two-pound higher mark as well so he should be in the mix at the finish. 22/1 (General).
Always Fun Up North
2:45 – Hambleton Handicap – Northern Express @ 15/2 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports)
Northern Express loves York. He’s raced there for the Michael Dods team 13 times and won three. He’s finished in the top three eight times, so has a decent enough strike record over both a mile and seven furlongs. He can go any ground, but will appreciate the dig in the ground that going is giving. He’s on a mark of 100, which is only a pound above his highest winning mark of 99. Win number four incoming for Northern Express. Choo-Choo!
Bopedro looks an interesting runner. He hasn’t won since August off a mark of 98, and he’s back down to that mark today. His best performances seem to come on marks in the 90s, so expect one today with a mark of 98. He can go on all sorts of ground and was placed at York last season as well. 25/1 (Boylesports) looks an absolute steal.
Cruyff Turn won the race two years ago for Tim Easterby. He hasn’t been running well of late but goes down to a mark of 88. That’s two pounds below a previous mark of 90 and loves cut in the ground. He competed in this race last year off a seven pound higher mark and Easterby might have had this race in mind after disappointing in the Thirsk Hunt Cup. 20/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports).
Let-Er Rip
3:15 – Middleton Stakes (Group Two) – Free Wind @ 7/4 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports)
Free Wind goes extremely well fresh. She’s won all three of her races off a break and doesn’t seem to come on for the runs after. However she did win four races as a three-year-old. She won this race last season by half a length and all her opponents had decent seasons after that. Don’t expect anything of Free Wind this season unless she’s coming off a break.
Wisdom Number Four
3:45 – Dante Stakes (Group Two) – Ancient Wisdom @ 11/8 (William Hill)
Ancient Wisdom looks a lot more solid as a Derby contender than most. His form as a two-year-old stacks up impressively with three winners and three places from the Futurity Trophy. He’s by the legend that is Dubawi and out of a Group Three winning mare over a mile-and-a-half. He should come on for the step up in trip and handle it well.
Don’t discount Economics in this race. Two winners have already come out of his maiden win at Newbury and were well down the field against Economics. Despite being by a miler, his mother was a Group Two winner over a mile and a half so will handle the step up in trip and looks a nice price at 15/2 (General).
The very best of luck!
