Who To Follow On Day One Of York's Dante Meeting

York 14:35

6(1)

Novakai

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

N/A

Age: 3

Weight: 9-2

OR: 113

Days: 222

The big race of the afternoon is the Group Three Musidora, used as a trial for many ahead of the Epsom Oaks and although the favourite Infinite Cosmos is respected, Novakai looks too big of a price.

Seen four times as a juvenile last season racing to a good standard in all of her races, she made her debut over 7f at Doncaster when bolting up in a Fillies' Maiden by just over four lengths ahead of a decent type in Crackovia.

She then went into the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket on the July Course and although finishing fifth of nine she was only 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner Lakota Sioux.

Stepped up to a mile at Doncaster in the Group Two May Hill Stakes when second to Polly Pott, she then put up a career best to finish a length second on her final start in the Group One Fillies' Mile behind the talented Comissioning.

Always bred to want further she steps up in trip today and if improving for being a year older and her trainer Karl Burke in Solid form, she can put herself in the frame for the Epsom Oaks and at 7/1 looks value.

William Haggas has started to find his feet this season after some nice winners at Chester last week and on the first day of the Dante meeting at a track he loves having winners at, he is the man to follow.

In the first race of the afternoon he will be hoping to have the forecast with the well backed La Yakel looking to show he is better than a mark of 92 and also Tasman Bay won't be out of the picture.

Haggas also fields the favourite in the next handicap event over 6f with Khanjar looking to bounce back to form and could do off his mark of 98.

The trainer heads into the meeting sporting a strike rate of 16% for the last two weeks with three winners from his 19 runners.

Ryan Moore is a man bang in form at the moment and he heads into the first day of the Dante meeting with some very nice rides that should see him have a few winners.

In the opening event of the day he teams up with Sir Michael Stoute to ride Real Dream who is seeking a hat-trick off the back of his last two impressive wins.

Moore then rides the Australian raider The Astrologist in the Group Two Duke Of York Clipper Stakes with the gelding performing well in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint when last seen in Meydan.

Teaming up with his retained trainer of Aidan O'Brien in the feature Group Three Musidora, he rides Lambada who could turn out to be very smart.

Moore again rides for O'Brien this time in the 5f Novice Stakes with The Caribbean making his debut and looks to have plenty of speed in his pedigree.

The experienced rider heads into the meeting currently running at a 24% strike rate for the last two weeks managing eight winners from his last 33 rides.