York May meeting

The York May meeting starts today with the Group Two Duke of York Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.00 CET as the main feature. This has attracted a strong field with CD specialist Hoof It (Mick Easterby/ Ryan Moore) the top-rated and likely favourite. However we feel that the ground may not be fast enough for him and prefer the much-improved Mayson (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan). He is held by The Cheka (Eve Johnson Houghton/ Neil Callan) on earlier form, but we were very taken with the style of his latest Newmarket success from Definightly (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle), who is trying now for revenge, while Libranno (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) and Society Rock (James Fanshawe/ Kieren Fallon) are also not without a chance.

The main supporting feature is the Musidora Stakes for 3yo fillies at 15.30, normally a good Oaks trial, although today´s field looks a bit substandard and The Fugue (John Gosden/ William Buick), 4th in the 1000 Guineas, and Twirl (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) look by far the most likely winners.