Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from the second day York’s May Festival as well as the best of the rest from Salisbury and Fontwell Park on 18 May 2023.
YORK
Race 3 No4 ASTRO KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
ASTRO KING will start as a roughie for this mile handicap run around a left-handed bend into the long home straight but may perform above his place in the market if a change of scenery has benefitted him. Racing in the same colours as in his days in Newmarket, the six-year-old could have most to fear from his former trainer Sir Michael Stoute’s runner Assessment, who is lightly raced, has a fair draw and could have plenty more to offer on the back of his comeback triumph at Kempton.
Race 4 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2)
No10 PASSENGER
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Stoute scratched PASSENGER from his Derby trial at Chester owing to the unsuitably of testing ground and now unleashes him in this historic race that remembers a wartime winner of the Premier Classic. By Ulysses out of a War Front mare, the selection was a dominating winner of Newmarket’s Wood Ditton Stakes and has learned much from that initial experience. He will be a lot more streetwise and can bolster his claims for a trip to Epsom next month.
FLYING HONOURS is a more obvious contender and with a win in this could accompany Military Order to Epsom, while THE FOXES have it his best in the Craven Stakes after trading very short in running. Though unable to hold Indestructible he showed he’d trained on, and has the natural ability required to get into the shake-up.
Race 5 No8 WALBANK
Trainer: David Loughnane – Jockey: Kevin Stott
WALBANK proved an excellent asset to owners Amo Racing by finishing second in a controversial finish to the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and third behind Trillium in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. The son of Kodiac wasn’t seen after that but appeals as the type to do well for his connections over the minimum trip this year. This Listed race looks a good starting point for him.
Race 6 No3 EMPEROR OF ROME (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Coolmore’s EMPEROR OF ROME narrowly failed to deliver on his introduction at Dundalk when starting at prohibitive odds but is worth forgiving that reverse as he ran green. The No Nay Never colt is going to know more of what’s expected of him, and can open his account.
Race 7 No9 RATHGAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
RATHGAR ran into a tartar on seasonal return at Newmarket, doing sterling work at the finish but not being able to hold a candle to the winner. The chestnut should enjoy this course with its long home straight, having worked well in his final gallop last week.
SALISBURY
Race 4 No9 ZOUKSTER
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Tom Marquand
ZOUKSTER narrowly failed to land a minor touch when beaten a neck by South Dakota Sioux at Wolverhampton. It was a step up from anything he’d achieved before that first run in a handicap, and if building on it the gelding should go one better.
Race 5 No3 GOLSPIE
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
GOLSPIE streaked away to score on his debut at Newbury for owners new to this yard. The son of Ribchester wasn’t compromised by the testing conditions, and can follow-up under a penalty on the way to better things.
Race 6 No3 HIGH FASHION
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
Stoute is double-handed in this fillies’ novice, but HIGH FASHION makes the most appeal. By Siyouni out of a mare by Frankel, she’s been showing up well in her work and can boost her trainer’s good record with his three-year-olds at this track.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 1 No7 KOMEDY KICKS (Nap)
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Cobden is an eye-taking booking for KOMEDY KICKS in this novices’ hurdle. The Nap gelled for him to open its account at Worcester and has started living up to the promise shown when he was stationed in a major stable in Ireland.
Race 2 No2 TARA ITI
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Rob Hargreaves
TARA ITI ran well to take away a minor cheque at Plumpton on Sunday when doing his best work at the finish. The Sixties Icon gelding has the same promising conditional rider in his saddle, and the pair can repeat their success over this course and distance last month.
