York’s three-day Dante fixture ends on Friday with another stellar seven-race card, which is headed by the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup at 3.10pm.
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Racing Post tipster Tom Collins previews Friday’s action at York exclusively for MansionBet.
1.40 York – Langleys Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes
There isn’t much form to go off in the Marygate, but a low-to-middle draw often proves vital as riders try to seek cover for their juvenile fillies. That strengthens the case for Crazyland, who was heavily punted on debut at Windsor for trainer Clive Cox and showed a high level of cruising speed and push-button acceleration to win a shade comfortably. She narrowly gets the vote ahead of the unbeaten Instinction.
Selection: Crazyland @ 4/1
2.10 York – Oaks Farm Stables Fillies Stakes
This crop of three-year-old fillies appears to be pretty average, but Snow Lantern could easily prove to be the exception. By Frankel out of four-time Group 1 winner Sky Lantern, this attractive grey took a notable step forward on her seasonal reappearance when she clocked a time over a second quicker than the colts later on the card. Connections bypassed the 1,000 Guineas with preference for this route – and it should pay off.
Selection: Snow Lantern @ 6/4
2.40 York – Matchbook “Best Value” Exchange Handicap
A French import who bolted up on his second start for David Menuisier last season, Blue Cup was one of the unluckiest losers so far this Flat season when he finished fifth at Epsom on his return off this mark of 93. A clear run makes him the horse to beat, with any further ease in the ground likely to suit.
Selection: Blue Cup @ 5/2
3.10 York – Matchbook Yorkshire Cup Stakes
With no Stradivarius in this year’s field, the Yorkshire Cup looks to concern 2019 St Leger runner-up Sir Ron Priestley and 2020 fourth Santiago. The latter interests me most at the likely prices.
Santiago would have been favourite for this race had he shown any sign of life on his reappearance in the Vintage Crop at Navan last month, but he clearly needed that run and should be well suited by an end-to-end gallop here.
Selection: Santiago @ 2/1
3.40 York – Jigsaw Sports Branding Handicap
William Haggas has a good record with his older horses at York (11-57, 19 per cent strike-rate) over the last five years and can enhance that with my namesake, Tom Collins.
This son of Dubawi showed a good level of form on soft ground for former trainer David Elsworth and clearly wasn’t favoured by the pace setup or quick conditions on his reappearance at Thirsk. He deserves another chance.
Selection: Tom Collins @ 10/1
4.15 York – Yorkshire Equine Practice Handicap
Early speed can win these three-year-old sprint handicaps and Tweet Tweet has that in spades. The daughter of Twilight Son romped home on her seasonal reappearance after showing electric acceleration and should be able to handle the 10lb rise. Her juvenile form included a creditable runner-up effort at this track.
Selection: Tweet Tweet @ 4/1
4.50 York – Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap
Most of this 11-strong field seem on a dramatic upward curve and this race is sure to produce numerous future winners. One of the most interesting runners is Haveyoumissedme, who may be ignored in the market but impressed me when he beat a subsequent winner at Newmarket in October on heavy ground.
Selection: Haveyoumissedme @ SP
*All odds correct at time of writing