York May meeting: first day

The York May meeting gets under way with some highly competitive racing; the ground will still be on the soft side after the rain of the past few days. but with a positive weather forecast, it can be expected to dry out some. Today´s top races are the Musidora Stakes for 3yo fillies over an extended 10 furlongs at 15.45 CET and the Group Two Duke of York Stakes over 6 furlongs half an hour later. The Musidora is a major trial for the Oaks, although it is a long time since any runner here featured at Epsom.

If one does this year, it is likely to be the once-raced Cambridge (Charlie Hills/ James Doyle), who won her only start last season in good style and is currently second favourite for Epsom. She beat Regardez (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) on that occasion, and that one is also in with a chance, having subsequently won well and she is from a stable that famously does well with fillies. Queen of Ice (William Haggas/ Seb Sanders) is also unbeaten, as is Madame Chiang (David Simcock/ Kieren Fallon) and they must also be considered, and the Queen´s Shama (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) has been well supported and also comes into calculations in an open race.

The Duke of York is even trickier and as open as any handicap. We like Astaire (Kevin Ryan/ Richard Hughes), the only 3yo in the field, although horses of that age group rarely win this. He was a top 2yo last season and his performance when 5th in the Greenham (form which has worked out well) suggests that this trip could be ideal. Irish challenger Maarek (Evanna McCutcheon/Declan McDonough) is probably the best horse in the field on all known form, but has to give weight away all round, while his two runs this year have been slightly disappointing. However if he is at his best, he must figure, while Tropics (Dean Ivory/ Robert Winston) is another one who could play a leading role here.

The handicaps have large fields and all look very difficult. In the opening 10 furlongs race at 14.45 our choice is Awake my Soul (David O´Meara/ Danny Tudhope), who has run two good races over this CD on soft ground and now meets the horses who beat him on much better terms. We would really fancy Yeeow (Karl Burke/ Joey Haynes) at 15.15, but he does not want the ground too soft, so we will prefer oldtimer Regal Parade (Milton Bradley/ Freddie Tylicki), who is very well handicapped on his old form. The 3yo handicap at 16.50 is a nightmare with several unexposed types including top-weight That Is The Spirit (O´Meara/ Tudhope), Provident Spirit (John Gosden/ William Buick), runner-up to him on both their debuts and a winner since, while Idea (Stoute/ Doyle) looks very dangerous further down the weights.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rye House - Tres Coronas - Lahaag
2. Race: Lancelot Du Lac - Fast Shot - Jamaican Bolt
3. Race: Cambridge - Shama - Queen Of Ice
4. Race: Moviesta - Jack Dexter - Astaire
5. Race: Provident Spirit - That Is The Spirit - Idea
6. Race: Magical Roundabout - Mambo Paradise - Captain Colby
7. Race: Gabrial`s Star - Mica Mika - Ebony Express