York's Dante Meeting - Day 1

Well I'm off to York tomorrow to watch Tatlisu in the 2.40 Class 2 Handicap.

He doesn't have the best of draws in stall 1 as only 1 winner has come from that stall in sprints since 2009 - a total of 91 in all, but Ryan Moore will be riding and hopefully he can get a toe into the race as he usually travels well.

The overnight favourite looks to be Polybius and he is entered for the Group 2 Temple Stakes and the Group 1 July Cup so this may be a springboard to better things and he must be well thought of to get those kind of entries, he holds a decent draw in 17, although he has no real experience of big field handicaps.

The first 4 home from Pipers Note's win at Ripon last time re oppose. 
Tudhope has not ridden Algar Lad since last July so I don't think we can read anything into him being on the stables Out Do as he won on him last time out at Pontefract. In that race he stole a march on the others and it paid to be out in front that day. He doesn't have a great record at York finishing 8958 from 4 starts.

Kickboxer has now been transferred to Godolphin so high hopes for him too, although he has yet to win here from 4 starts, albeit he was 3rd to G Force in one of his attempts..

All 4 of Blaine's wins have come in July/August so it might be a bit early to catch him even though he is well drawn in 18.

Bogart should be all the sharper for his return at Beverley and Boy In The Bar should also come on with blinkers back on for his second start for Richard Fahey.

It's a very difficult race in which to come to a conclusion as we don't know what effect the draw will have, if any and it may be a wise move to go for two horses, one drawn high and one drawn low, but if Polybius is as good as they think he is he may take some stopping.

Richard Fahey quotes - I thought everything went wrong for Tatlisu at Ripon last time. They spread out across the track and he’s a horse who needs cover in his races. He hasn’t got a great draw for that here but if they go quick up front I hope he’s in the right place to pick them off.

I was pleased enough with Boy In The Bar’s first run for us at Ascot where I feel the ground just dried out a little bit too much for him. He wouldn’t want it too quick and we’ve stuck the blinkers back on him on the recommendation of Robert Winston. We’ll see what effect they have.
In the Duke of York at 3.15 the two horses most likely to go on to better things, Muthmir and Lightning Moon, are returning from their winter breaks and on this occasion it may be best to go with those with race fitness as there will be plenty of pace on here. However beyond those two this isn't looking a race bursting with talent and Astaire at 13/2, the winner of the Abernant at Newmarket is worth risking your money on.
Of the others I think Naadirr was flattered by his win at Doncaster as he he was shielded from the strong headwind. Aetna and Jack Dexter probably need more cut in the going to show their best whist Lucky Kristale hasnt done much for a while.
Mattmu was stuffed by Limato last season and will probably need the race in any event.