York Dante Festival Thursday Tips and Previews

THE DANTE TAKES CENTRE STAGE ON THURSDAY! More racing from the Knavesmire at York as well as an interesting handicap from Salisbury.

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ITV Racing Thursday Schedule

2.15 York Lindum York Handicap (Class 2) 5f
2.30 Salisbury Al Basti Equiworld Dubai “City Bowl” Handicap (Class 3) 1m6f
2.45 York Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap (Class 2) 1m
3.15 York Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2) 1m21/2f
3.45 York Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2) 1m21/2f
4.15 York British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes (Listed Race) 5f

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York 2.15

This race has thrown up some big priced winners over the years so I’m taking a chance on LOOKING FOR LYNDA at around 14/1 at the time of writing. He looked like he needed the run on reappearance in testing ground at Pontefract but quickly left that behind on better ground to go close at Epsom. He was only beaten a couple of lengths into third at Ripon last month and will be spot on for this now. He goes well at this track and definitely has a squeak.

Plenty of dangers obviously and likely headed by Korker despite him shouldering top-weight. He often needs his first run back so that run in France would have blown the cobwebs away and he is a major player. Both Spartan Arrow and Wen Moon are two others I expect to get involved as well.

York 2.15

Looking For Lynda 14/1 each way

Main danger Korker

Salisbury 2.30

A decent staying race at Salisbury now and PAWAPURI looks the one to beat. This mare won her last two starts on the Flat for William Haggas and then acquitted herself well novice hurdling for Nicky Henderson. She should have more to come back on the Flat and is set to go very well under Richard Kingscote.

The Goat was well backed at Epsom on return but ran no sort of race and just couldn’t land a blow. He might be sharper but I’d struggle to back him following that below par run. Duke Of Verona might improve enough to be the biggest threat.

Salisbury 2.30

Pawapuri 11/4

Main danger Duke Of Verona

York 2.45

Another big handicap where I want to back one at a price and CRUYFF TURN fits the bill. He is down the bottom of the weights as had been struggling for form but the handicapper has given him a chance off a mark of just 88 now and he will bounce back sooner rathe than later. He won off 91 at Redcar last year and has scored over C&D off 97 (a 9lb higher mark) in the past so he is well handicapped if bouncing back.

Blue For You is also out of form but he won over track and trip last year off just a 1lb lower mark and if fit and ready to roll could get involved with his yard going well. At a bigger price La Trinidad is another one I can see going well.

York 2.45

Cruyff Turn 25/1 each way LONGSHOT

Main danger Blue For You but La Trinidad could run a place at a big price

York 3.15

Likeable mare FREE WIND won this fresh last year showing a good attitude to fend off Rogue Millennium. The front pair came clear and given the runner-up went on to win the Duke of Cambridge at Royal Ascot that turned out to be strong form. John Gosden’s mare went on to clock a career best at this track too going down just a neck to Warm Heart in the Yorkshire Oaks so she goes particularly well at this track.

She had main danger here Bluestocking back in fourth so I expect her to confirm that form. She is one to catch fresh now and should be difficult to beat. Sapphire Seas saw her winning run end in Dubai last time but is another one capable of a bold showing.

York 3.15

Free Wind 15/8 NOTEBOOK

Main danger Bluestocking

York 3.45

I’m really looking forward to seeing ANCIENT WISDOM return as a 3yo. He was really progressive last year winning 4 of his 5 starts capping off a fine season with a win at the top level at Doncaster. He is a colt going places and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t make a winning return.

Al Musmak also did well as a 2yo and looks to have a bright future so should be the danger but Caviar Heights does have race-fitness on side at least so could also get competitive.

York 3.45

Ancient Wisdom 11/8 NAP

Main danger Al Musmak

York 4.15

It should be good watching BIG EVS blaze a trail here. This speedball did so well as a 2yo winning 3 from 5 before getting the job done at the Breeders’ Cup. He is such a talented colt and even carrying a penalty here should be hard to beat. He was beaten on sole start over C&D but that did come in the Nunthorpe and he had excuses that day. He should be ready to roll and it’s hard to find any chinks in his armour hence his price.

Kylian has finished behind the favourite a couple of times but still has potential as a 3yo for his new stable so might be the one to finish second. Unbreak My Heart possibly best of the rest.

York 4.15

Big Eve 4/5

Main danger Kylian obviously

York 4.45

An absolute guess-up here given they are all making their debuts. ANDESITE is a Pinatubo colt for Karl Burke who cost a fair bit. He is a half-brother to the talented Dramatised and he gets the vote to go well for a yard that are known for having their 2yos plenty forward.

Plenty of dangers and Seattle would have to be feared coming over from Ireland. He cost a whopping €2,200,000 as a yearling and is bred to be smart. As always with these races the market is usually significant.

York 4.45

Andesite 7/2

Main danger Seattle

York 5.20

Notebooks at the ready for the lucky last as there is potentially a lot of talent lining up for this. I can see WHISKEY PETE running well at a price. He ran well on his first 3 starts before getting his head in front over a mile at this track on final start. He goes up in trip now which should bring about further improvement and I’m interested to see how well he runs.

Justify colt London City made a winning return at Dundalk and will be a danger to all up in trip back on turf for his handicap debut. Hampden was denied just a nose last time and is another one with more to come.

York 5.20

Whiskey Pete 8/1 each way

Main danger London City and also Hampden could go well