York 16/05/2019

3.00 York | Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes
Telecaster 7-1 bet365
Too Darn Hot and Japan both have obvious credentials for this, but both have had poor preparations and I’m not convinced the latter’s form amounts to much anyway, he was the third choice of Ballydoyle when winning a trappy Beresford Stakes on his final start and none of those in behind have done anything since. Like many others, my eye was drawn to Telecaster when he was second to Bangkok on debut at Doncaster. He was green and Charlie Bennett didn’t give him a hard time in the final furlong, but he got to the quarters of the winner and made a thoroughly decent impression. Bangkok looked very good when winning the Group 3 Classic Trial on his next start and the fourth, Dubai Instinct, has since followed up at Nottingham. Telecaster looked a much more professional horse on his second start at Windsor, running some impressive final sectionals to win by nine lengths. The second, Deal A Dollar, did everything apart from win next time out, while the third Future Investment looked smart when scoring at Chester. Granted, that form is a mile off Too Darn Hot’s best, but Telecaster’s trainer Hughie Morrison is confident he is the best middle-distance three-year-old colt he’s ever had and I get the feeling he has been quietly nervous in the run up to this race. This colt’s dam Shirocco Star was second in the English and Irish Oaks and the son of New Approach rates a serious prospect, so is worth a shot in what will be a race to savour.

4.05 York | British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes
Garrus 5-1 bet365
I’m keen to take on the form horse again in the Westow Stakes as I have a suspicion Soldier’s Call might not totally train on at three and he has a 5lb penalty to deal with too. I would have been tempted by Shades Of Blue but she was swept aside on her return and hasn’t been straightforward, so Garrus looks the one and 5-1 is a big price. Twice a winner at two, he finished fourth in the Mill Reef Stakes on ground that wouldn’t have suited, form that doesn’t look too bad now with Shine So Bright in third coming out and winning the Free Handicap before running a big race in the 2,000 Guineas. He again finished fourth in a Listed race at Doncaster on good to soft ground won by San Donato, who ran a very satisfactory race when third to Persian King in the French 2,000 Guineas. Barbill, who finished second, would go on to win a Listed race and looked a rock-solid juvenile. Put simply, fast ground and the drop back to five furlongs looked the key to Garrus on reappearance at Nottingham, where he strode clear of Norfolk Stakes second Pocket Dynamo, conditions he will get here. He has a fitness edge and should get a lovely tow into the race from the favourite.

5.05 York | Investec Wealth Handicap
Pipes Of Peace 9-1 RaceBets
A quick mention in the final race goes to Pipes Of Peace, who has been running really well in middle-distance handicaps on the all-weather. He was a huge eyecatcher when second in the Rosebery Handicap – a race which has already produced impressive Epsom winner Soto Sizzler, who was behind in fifth – staying on strongly towards the stands’ side. He then ran another bold race when third to Austrian School in the Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh when not getting a clear run. The winner’s run in the Chester Cup can be forgiven due to the atrocious ground and he still looks a very good staying prospect, while the race also suggested 2m would not be an issue for Pipes Of Peace. He could well be handicapped to the hilt off a mark of 92 but I like the look of his form and he remains open to improvement at marathon trips.

Prices correct at time of writing