Dave Massey is back for Day 2 of York’s Dante Meeting 2026 and has his best bets ahead of another action-packed day on The Knavesmire. Read his latest preview exclusively for kwiff.
York Dante Meeting 2026: Huge Thursday Tips
Toca Madera (2.20) went up as a horse to follow after this close third in this last year as he looked like the run would bring him on beforehand, and that third to American Affair is a strong piece of form.
York Dante Meeting 2026: Toca Madera (2:20)
Sadly, it never happened for him, for all he ran well in a couple of Windsor handicaps after that, but he’s left Brian Meehan and joined David O’Meara this year, which could revive his fortunes. He needed his first start back at Thirsk and after another 2lb drop from the handicapper, he’s now 8lb lower than this time last year, a mark his shrewd trainer will surely exploit sooner rather than later.
York Dante Meeting 2026: Sea Force (2:55)
The most novice of form readers will work out what a superb chance Sea Force (2.55) has here. He’ll be head of the market, but deserves to be after a luckless run at Thirsk last time out where he really ought to have won with anything like clear passage, finishing the race still on the bridle, beaten a length and three-quarters. That was his first start in cheekpieces, which are retained here, and as long as he behaves himself beforehand – he did get a bit warm when sixth in a hot handicap here last year, still ran a really good race to be beaten just over a length – is surely the one to beat.
York Dante Meeting 2026: Revival Power (4:40)
For me, this is all about whether Revival Power (4.40) is fit or not because she’s going to be some filly this year, and could blow this lot away if she’s ready to go. Her early speed when winning both the Julia Graves Roses Stakes here last August and again in the Flying Childers was a joy to watch, she had the latter won at halfway and never looked like coming back to them. A little too keen on her final start at Newmarket (but still far from disgraced), she could have these on the stretch early and can hopefully hang on.
York Dante Meeting 2026: Knightsail (5:15)
More runners than is normally the case for this but the quality drops off somewhat on the bottom half of the handicap, and I’ll be amazed if there’s anything lower than Knightsail on the racecard that’s good enough to win.
Knightsail (5.15) himself is one of the more interesting ones. He caught the eye in Goodwood maidens last year, looking green and needing time, and although it wasn’t a great effort on the figures on return at Nottingham, there are excuses – may well have needed the run, and apparently managed to get his tongue over the bit, making him look awkward late on. A step up to 1m4f on handicap debut will suit and this is not the strongest of 0-80s you’ll see all year.
By Dave Massey
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