York 17/05/2019

1.50 York | Langleys Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes
Lady Fanditha 8-1
Trainer Clive Cox won the Marygate back in 2013 with Beldale Memory and he has had the race in mind for Lady Fanditha for a long time. A winner on debut at Nottingham, she looked green and uncomfortable on the ground but still came away well for a cosy win. The second, Daddies Diva, has since followed up at the track and the third, Flippa The Strippa, has also won at Chepstow. Cox nominated this race straight after her victory and I think you can expect an improved performance, especially on the quick ground. The other who could go well at a big price is Dr Simpson, who made a promising start when second to Lambeth Walk at Windsor last time.

2.25 York | Oaks Farm Stables Fillies’ Stakes
El Gumryah 14-1 Paddy Power
There are plenty of horses with more attractive profiles but the Simon Crisford-trained El Gumryah is a huge price on what she achieved on her reappearance at Kempton. Winless as a juvenile, she broke well and made all, showing a smart injection of pace before fighting off Rux Power in the closing stages to win by just under a length. The highly regarded Rainbow Heart was in third, while Nausha, who won the Group 2 Musidora Stakes on Wednesday, finished fourth. El Gumryah went a decent gallop and although the result seemed a bit bizarre on the face of it, she looks to have took a big step forward this season. The daughter of No Nay Never stays further than this 7f and could dictate from the front. This year’s three-year-old fillies are tough to fathom and at 14-1 she is well worth a shot at this class.

5.05 York | Longines Irish Champions Weekend Handicap
Laafy 4-1 RaceBets
Laafy is a horse I’ve had my eye on ever since Sir Michael Stoute chose to enter him in a conditions race at Sandown when he had yet to make his debut. He took time to hit his stride but was behind smart horses like Name The Wind, who ran in the 2,000 Guineas, and Buffalo River on debut at Kempton. The 86-rated Faro Angel was slightly too good second time out, but he had some decent ones like Global Heat (83), Travel On (95) and Pour Me A Drink (79) in behind. He confirmed his juvenile promise on seasonal appearance when upped to 1m2f on good to firm ground at Leicester, travelling kindly before showing a good attitude to get the better of 4-5 favourite Sucellus. By Noble Mission, he should get the 1m4f trip no problem and he’s also a half-brother to Group 2 Godolphin Mile winner Coal Front. I’m confident he’s much better than a mark of 83 and shapes like he will continue to improve throughout the season as well.