York Thursday Preview - 12/05/22

The first race we have looked into on Thursday on the Knavesmire is the Class 2 Handicap over 5f and Digital for Kevin Ryan takes the eye.

The four year old has shown he is a very able sprinter over the last 12 months and this season has carried on his progression.

Having his first run this year at Southwell over 6f he was a good third of nine behind some talented sprinters and then down in trip at the same track got off the mark for a year, with the second since franking the form in better company.

Looking to make it back to back wins last time out he returned to turf at Newbury when a close third of seven.

His mark of 95 looks fair at this stage of his career and having good form over the course and distance behind a very smart sprinter, he could go well at an each way price.

One of the feature events on the afternoon is the Group Two Middleton Fillies' Stakes over 1m2f and Forbearance for Jessica Harrington looks the value.

The five year old daughter of Galileo put her best hoof forward last term winning four of her eight events, including the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes over 12f at York and when last seen at Newmarket taking the Group Three Princess Royal Stakes.

This drop in trip for her seasonal debut could play to her strengths being a good stayer at the trip and having course form it makes her very interesting.

An interesting contender.

Another tough event on the card is the Class 2 Hambleton Handicap over a mile and at the prices La Trinidad could run a huge race at a track he adores.

The Roger Fell trained animal has a seriously good record on the Knavemire placing in five of his 11 races whilst going on to win twice in very similar races to this.

La Trinidad won a 17 runner event over course and distance in July off a mark of 89 but going up to a mark of 95 suffered on his next two runs at the track.

Down to a mark of 94 he got back to form finishing fourth of 20 over the mile behind some well handicapped rivals.

Down another 1lb for this event he is only 4lb higher than his last winning mark and having serious course form he should go close.

The feature event of the afternoon is the Group Two Dante Stakes which acts as one of the last Derby trials and the value lies with El Bodegon for James Ferguson.

Holding the best two year old form in the field this three year old could be a very smart talent for a smaller yard than some in the field.

Last year the colt was seen five times starting over six furlongs when second of eight at Windsor but then moved over 7f at Sandown on heavy he got off the mark.

Tried in the G3 Prix La Rochette he was a close third of sixth, but since then was stepped markedly up in trip and has turned into a different horse.

Over 9f at Chantilly in the Group Three Prix de Conde he won very easily and up in trip again to 10f he landed the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

He saw off some talented runners that day that have since franked the form including Stone Age, Goldspur and Buckaroo.

If being able to convert that form on a faster surface he is big value at 5/1.

The penultimate event of the afternoon we have a selection in is the Listed Westow Stakes over five furlongs and King Of Bavaria for Aidan O'Brien should strip much fitter off the back of his seasonal return.

The three year old was twice a winner as a juvenile, landing a Maiden over 5f on debut at Naas and then stepped up to 6f at the same track when taking a Nursery Handicap.

Stepped up into Listed company on seasonal debut he was a good fourth of seven at Navan behind some very smart rivals and stripping fitter for that experience puts him into the frame.

O'Brien and Moore are flying at the moment.

The final event of the afternoon is the two mile Class 3 Handicap and a smart mare over hurdles now looking to be even better on the flat is the Nicky Henderson trained Ahorsewithnoname.

The seven year old mare has some superb hurdles form with four placed efforts on all her starts this term, last time out at the Cheltenham festival in the Grade Two Mares Novices' Hurdle.

Moved onto the flat last time out at Newbury she took to it really well, putting her head down late on to win fairly comfortably.

Only up 6lb for that win and still on a mark of 86 makes her dangerous.