1.30 Infinity Tyres Stakes
Sir Michael Stoute, whose yard has just struck form, has won this twice in the past ten years so the lightly-raced Labarinto can get into contention after an opening run over a trip too short at Newbury. Saeed Bin Suroor won this three times in succession from 2008 and is doubly represented this time. Rumh was used as a pacemaker in Group 1's after her victory over this trip at Newbury in June but FLAG OFFICER looks the stable pick. His close second to Sea Moon over the C&D in June could hardly have been better boosted by the winner and, having missed an engagement a couple of weeks ago due to heavy conditions, he should be cherry ripe for his return and gets the vote. Area Fifty One ended the last campaign in excellent form and Richard Fahey's team are going strongly while there's probably much more to come from Gatewood, who didn't make his racecourse debut until last June and who easily landed a Salisbury maiden on his second start. Kirthill will be winning soon though could just need his reappearance in such a competitive handicap but Right Step is fighting fit and his victory over timber at Aintree and a heavy ground success at Epsom last month.
2.00 William Birch & Sons Construction Stakes
A glance through past winners shows that it takes a useful sprinter to win this and the aptly-named YORK GLORY fits the bill. Kevin Ryan's grey didn't run as a juvenile but made up for lost time last year with four victories including a handicap here in August. He was unlucky in-running in the Portland at Doncaster on his final start and should progress even further this season. He's handed the vote though there are numerous dangers including Instance, another lightly-raced type with plenty of pace despite scoring over 7f at Newmarket in July. Shropshire had several of these behind when runner-up to Maarek at Newmarket and it will be a surprise if he's not in the shake-up and New Planet has a touch of class as he showed with a good run in Listed company at Newmarket last month. Barnet Fair wasn't far behind York Glory here in August and Richard Guest should have him ready for a big run with Silvestre De Sousa booked.
2.30 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes
Lush Lashes is the only Irish-trained winner in the past ten years but TWIRL should emulate her. Aidan O'Brien's daughter of Galileo looked very much in need of the run when second to Chrysanthemum over a mile at the Curragh on her reappearance and with that under her belt and this trip certain to suit she looks the one to beat. The Fugue, a debut winner at Newmarket in October, ran a fine race when fourth to runaway winner Homecoming Queen in the 1000 Guineas and will also be better suited by the longer trip. With further progress guaranteed she's an obvious threat but the shock Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Esentepe couldn't repeat that performance when stepped up to a mile at Goodwood. The remaining trio will all need to show massive improvement to take a hand.
3.00 Duke of York totepool Stakes
Soul was a useful sprinter in Australia before making a winning debut on fast ground at Meydan in March. He couldn't cope with the Tapeta there later and this surface won't be a problem. Three-year-olds don't very often win this so the French-trained Restiadargent, a Group 2 winning juvenile, may struggle while Libranno has been beaten so far in his last two starts that he's difficult to fancy. MAYSON and Definightly fought out the finish of the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket with the former just coming out on top. That was over the minimum trip and this will suit him better though he did have a fitness advantage over the runner-up. Richard Fahey's charge gets the vote though Hoof It proved himself a classy sprinter last year and if fit enough is an obvious threat as is the Golden Jubilee winner Society Rock and he won first time out in 2010.
3.35 Constant Security Stakes
Another tough handicap for punters to fathom but a chance is taken with THE FUN CRUSHER. Tim Easterby's charge gained a shock 33/1 victory on his racecourse debut at Thirsk last April and didn't reappear until March when he caught the eye behind Qaraaba at Doncaster. There's more to come from him and he'll start at a fair price. Mica Mika won over hurdles in December and reappeared on the Flat with a smooth victory at Chester so he'll make a bold bid to defy a penalty though Paul Hanagan is claimed for the lightly-raced Mulaqen. Persian Peril is also penalised for his comfortable victory at Musselburgh and is higher than he's ever been in the weights but another penalised entry, Aldwick Bay, probably found 1m2f a little short at Windsor so must be a big threat back over his best trip. Crunched gained a very easy victory on Polytrack at Lingfield in February but he's another on his highest-ever mark.
4.10 ripleycollection.com E B F Novice Stakes
Cumbrian Craic could hardly have made a more impressive debut at Doncaster but the form has been let down subsequently. Lastchancelucas ploughed through the Pontefract mud to gain a shock 100/1 victory but there doesn't appear any reason why he shouldn't make further progress. Richard Fahey trained the runner-up that day so should know how he stands with his Musselburgh winner Tatlisu, who looks certain to go well but it's MRS BROWN'S BOY who is handed the vote. He missed the break at Goodwood but still won with something in hand and though this is a much stronger race Darren Egan's 7lb claim is a big plus and he can complete the double. Citius was still very green when beaten at odds-on at Kempton and will know more this time while Botanic Garden showed plenty of pace when fancied to make a winning start at Ripon.
4.45 McArthurglen's York Designer Outlet Stakes
Richard Fahey has won this twice in the past four years so the lightly-raced Wolverhampton winner Baccarat goes on the short-list as he makes his handicap debut. Three Am Tour is looking a few pounds high for what he's achieved while Grizzle didn't quite go through with his effort at Yarmouth but was raised 2lb and is closely matched with Kinloch Castle on earlier running at Lingfield. TARTIFLETTE was a surprise winner of a Doncaster maiden in November and returned to action with a very promising run behind the well-regarded Gregorian at Newbury with Van Der Art a couple of lengths behind. She still looked in need of experience that day and should have come on enough to take this. Despite the fact that his latest success came over a mile at Ascot, Warfare looks a big threat as he would have won more comfortably with a clear run and a 6lb penalty shouldn't stop him but Ardmay has gone up 10lb for landing a minor event at Beverley and has much more to do.
