Today’s UK racing tips come your way from day two of York’s May Festival as well as one other tidbit from today’s meeting at Salisbury.
York May Festival – Day 2
Race 1 – DESIGNER 6/1
Not many can confidently be ruled out and the likes of previous course and distance winner KORKER and COPPER KNIGHT, who is already a dual winner of this race, are high on the shortlist in a highly-competitive renewal.
However, DESIGNER is in the right weight bracket of previous winners and John Butler’s lightly-raced filly shades a narrow vote of confidence. WHENTHEDEALINGSDONE is another on an appealing mark, while CLAREDON HOUSE and MONDAMMEJ need also be considered.
Race 2 – FREE WIND 11/10
FREE WIND posted a quite remarkable performance in winning the Lancashire Oaks last term and can make a victorious return from a long absence in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes.
John and Thady Gosden’s mare made relentless progress through the 2021 campaign, winning four of her five starts up to Group Two level, and hopes were high for another good season last year. Sent to Haydock for a first start, she endured a nightmare run as she went for a gap on the rail, only for the door to close causing one of her rivals to give her a heavy bump.
She looked fortunate to stay on her feet, but the way she recovered from that to eventually seize the lead and win by a cosy two-and-a-quarter lengths was really quite something, with runner-up Sea La Rosa subsequently landing a Group One contest.
The daughter of Galileo sustained an injury in the course of that performance, forcing a long lay-off, but if she retains all her ability, she can shine again here, having run well first time up for the last years.
Race 3 – ASSESSMENT 11/4
This looks to be a strong handicap on paper, with the vote going to ASSESSMENT. The lightly-raced son of Kingman returned from a spell on the sidelines with a comfortable success at Kempton on his handicap bow and a 6lb rise is unlikely to halt his progression.
CRUYFF TURN won this contest 12 months ago off a 1lb higher mark and wasn’t disgraced behind the reopposing NORTHERN EXPRESS in the Thirsk Hunt Cup. Both are respected, while others worth noting include BLUE FOR YOU, CROUPIER and TOSHIZOU.
Race 4 – PASSENGER 9/2
PASSENGER can gatecrash the Derby picture with victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge had been due to test his Classic credentials in last week’s Dee Stakes, but the testing conditions at Chester prompted the master trainer to rethink his plans and instead reroute to the Knavesmire.
If it was a bold step to move to Listed company with this son of Ulysses following an impressive debut win in last month’s Wood Ditton at Newmarket, it is an even bigger call to tackle Group Two company on his second career start.
However, with the clock ticking to June 3, Stoute’s hand has been slightly forced. Passenger posted a likeable performance at Newmarket, sitting handy over a mile before picking up in style, prevailing by three lengths with only the minimum of encouragement and looking as though he will stay further.
The Ulysses colt now switches up to an extended 10 furlongs for this test, with Stoute chasing successive Dante victories following Epsom hero Desert Crown’s strike 12 months ago. Desert Crown also had just one run on his record before pitching up at York, although he held a Derby entry, which Passenger does not. Perhaps his case is not quite so clear-cut as his stablemate in that regard, but he remains a horse of real potential.
Race 5 – SILENT WORDS 7/1
SILENT WORDS is the choice in the British EBF 40th Anniversary Westow Stakes after an excellent effort in defeat at Hamilton.
A narrow all-weather winner at Newcastle back in November, she was set a stiff task on her return in a valuable novice event, taking on Commonwealth Cup hope Tajalla. Silent Words was beaten just a head at the line, narrowly failing to repel Tajalla’s late charge but looking as though a race like this would be within her compass.
SALISBURY
Race 2 – RELIEF RALLY 85/40
UNBREAK MY HEART, a half-sister to Flying Chiders winner Heartache and the useful handicapper Asadjumeirah, is an interesting newcomer to consider in the Highclere Castle Gin Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at Salisbury.
WHOOP WHOOP also has some quality in her pedigree and is worth a betting check at least on debut. However, this might be best left to previous winners JUNIPER BERRIES and RELIEF RALLY, with the latter shading preference after notching a comfortable soft-ground success on her debut at Windsor last month.
