Paddock judge and form expert Dave Massey is back with expert tips on all three days of York’s Dante Meeting 2024, including a best bet ahead of Wednesday’s Day 1 opener.
Back – Mill Stream, 3.15 York
The Duke Of York Clipper Stakes at 3:15 looks a competitive event, but I’m sure there’s a couple of good races in Mill Stream at this sort of level this year and after a really good reappearance at Newmarket in the Abernant where he just looked in need of the run, challenging in the final furlong but the run flattening out in the final half-furlong, he should be spot on for this.
There’s rain coming at York both Tuesday and into Wednesday morning, which should help take the sting out of the ground, and whilst it’s unlikely to turn soft, every drop of rain will help his chances, having won on good to soft at Deauville last year. William Buick taking over the ride can hardly be a bad thing either, and there’s a lot to like about his chances today.
Lay – Friendly Soul 3:45 York
On a card full of tricky handicaps and a maiden, finding something to lay isn’t easy but look, I’d be happy enough to try and take on Friendly Soul in the Musidora at around 11-8 and under.
Her form in beating Kalpana in the Pretty Polly reads well enough, but I was a bit sniffy about the Kalpana form before the race, as for all she was impressive on her seasonal debut it was only handicap form. It’s a hard one to read, as the first two did pull well clear in the Pretty Polly and they both might be fast-improving, but equally Classical Song’s fourth in the Fillies Mile is strong (and Ralph Beckett can barely so any wrong with his fillies at present) and there’s potential with the likes of Francophone and Secret Satire, so there’s enough to think you’ve a fighting chance of getting her beaten.
Each-Way – Makanah, 2.45 York
If you’re looking for an each-way bet and it’s a York sprint then you’d normally look no further than Julie Camacho’s Makanah, who remarkably has yet to win in eight handicap starts at the track but equally is an absolute each-way money-spinner, with his full handicap record at the track reading 44424554, which would have given you an each-way return with the extra places every time.
Drawn 22 of the 22 runners here, which might be one of the best places to be, as both very high and very low numbers have a decent record in recent times in the race, he came back from his winter break to run well at Newmarket, finishing fourth to Tees Spirit in a race where it paid to be on the speed. Makanah can do it either way, but with the potential for Abate and Dakota Gold to make this a good test from the outset, Makanah should get a bit of cover before being unleashed with a late challenge. Goes on most ground and should be up to returning us another nice little each-way dividend.
York’s Dante Meeting 2024: Day 1 Selections
York 2.45 – Makanah (Each Way)
York 3.15 – Mill Stream (Nap)
York 3.45 – Friendly Soul (Take On)
By Dave Massey
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