Architect has picked out his three favourite selections across three days of action at York for the Dante Meeting.
15:45 York (Wednesday)
The Group 3 Musidora Stakes is littered with potential and the standout one to me is SMOKEN (best price 7/2). I’m mindful of the fact that most of Ralph Beckett’s horses have been needing their first run but this filly looks classy.
She ploughed through tough conditions to score on debut at Nottingham when clocking a big number before handling Newmarket very well to take a Listed event. The runner-up, Secret Of Love, ran a big race to finish second in the Cheshire Oaks last week, so the form has been given a timely boost.
She holds an entry in the Epsom Oaks and is available at 33/1 for that event and I can only presume that victory here would see her go much shorter if that’s her long-term objective and this step up in trip should see further improvement.
Rossa Ryan has also opted for her instead of stablemate Tattycoram, who he rode to success at Sandown last time out, so that’s noteworthy to say the least. I’m really excited to see her back in action.
15:14 York (Thursday)
A Group 3 winner at this track last summer, SEE THE FIRE (best price 13/8) shaped promisingly on her reappearance when fifth at Sandown three weeks ago and should be spot on for this assignment.
Her fifth-place finish in the Champion Stakes and her neck-second in the Nassau Stakes last season over this trip are top-class pieces of form, so with fitness now secured, she should prove difficult to beat.
15:45 York (Friday)
In Friday’s Yorkshire Cup, I’m all over REBEL’S ROMANCE (best price 9/4), who warmed up for this race with a fourth-place finish in the Dubai Sheema Classic and should go well eased in grade.
The seven-year-old has won five of his six outings in the UK, with his only defeat coming when third in last season’s King George Stakes at Ascot behind Goliath and Bluestocking.
As we know, the runner-up went on to win two Group 1s, so the form is class. Being the clear highest rated runner on the field, with conditions perfect for him, Charlie Appleby’s globetrotter is fancied to prove too good for today’s field.
