Tipping for York Wednesday 11/5/11

I am delighted to say that I will be making my inaugural appearance on the Knavesmire this week, for York and its annual Dante meeting. I am excited for what promises to be week that has possible clues to come from the most respected of Epsom trials, the Dante, and the Musiadora.

All selections for the article have come from Wednesday’s day of racing, and our first selection comes in the highly competitive Duke of York Blue Square Stakes, which has group two status. The field has fourteen confirmed runners, including last year’s winner Prime Defender and also group one winner’s Regal Parade and Markab. Trends suggest age is against him however, with no horse older than seven years old winning this race. Other contenders include the in form Richard Fahey trained Rose Blossom, and Dalghar, with multiple placings in group company, now trained by Andrew Balding in Newmarket, However it is difficult to see beyond two horses in this field, the first being ‘Sprint King’ Dandy Nicholls trained REGAL PARADE. He ran a solid enough race on his return from a break behind Lolly for Dolly over 7 furlongs in the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh. He looked sharp before fading in the closing stages, and from last season it can be season that 6 furlongs is his optimum trip. Ground will be perfect at good to soft, in direct parallels to his Prix Maurice de Gheest victory. His last run will have made him cherry ripe and perfect for this race.

The major threat to Regal Parade is the Goldolphin trained DELEGATOR, who traditionally runs very well fresh. He is returning from a six length defeat to the wonder mare Goldikova in the Breeders Cup Mile. It is the first time he has run over the 6f trip, but the way he travels, this type of race should be ideal. Frankie Dettori has a fantastic record and York, and his pace could be very dangerous.

A twenty runner handicap over a mile and a half on the Knavesmire may sound like a daunting prospect, but it could be easier than perhaps it seems at first glance. In the 3:35 at York, a class four handicap, there are many tried and exposed horses, many of whom have had 10+ runs since their debuts. The exception to this is recently tipped up HUFF AND PUFF for the Amanda Perrett yard. The four year old was tipped here on his recent run three weeks ago at Bath, and the money came for him, being backed into 11/10 favourite from 11/4. It was a solid run, and a great ride from Neil Callan, doing the minimum on the horse,. Callan retains the ride and is 2/2 on board, and we are hoping his form, and his lack of exertions will make it 3 from 3.

Our final selection is the best bet of the day, and is the Barry Hills trained SHROPSHIRE; who was expected to achieve great things as a two year old. He went off joint second favourite in the Gimcrack (Group 2) after an impressive maiden win, and was a sixteen length tenth of eleven runners. But analysing the form of that race further, he was behind a field of very good runners. Winner approved went onto place in the Stakes and Champagne Stakes, won by the Gimcrack fourth Temple Meads. Even Dubawi Gold, last that day, went onto win two listed races en route to finishing second behind the champion two year old Frankel in the 2000 Guineas. Shropshire’s run in the Greenham was respectable and should have put him spot on for this.

2.00 York – Shropshire 3pt Win NAP

3.00 York – Regal Parade 2pt Win Delegator 1pt Win

3.35 York – Huff and Puff 1pt EW