Santry
Santry

Six horses to follow from York's Dante meeting


David John picks out half-a-dozen horses to follow from last week's Dante meeting at York.

Persistent rain on Wednesday left the Knavesmire riding on the soft side all week but there were still plenty of notable performances in terms of potential winners over the next month or so.

David John picks out half-a-dozen eyecatchers worth following when they next set foot on a racecourse.

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Awake My Soul – Tom Tate – Wednesday, 10-furlong handicap

This particular trainer has been a favourite of mine down the years and though he does not have quite the same firepower these days, my interest is always piqued when one of his turns up in a decent heat.

There was a change of strategy too as Jimmy Sullivan fired his mount out of the stalls from a wide draw and had a clear early lead entering the home straight which the 8yo seemed to relish as he travelled with zest and enthusiasm.

He was the hare for the rest of the field to catch – which some duly did – but I was taken with the way he stuck to his task and kept on to the line having fully expected him to capitulate in the closing stages.

He has every right to build on this seasonal comeback and connections might have the John Smith’s Cup over course and distance in mind as a viable mid-summer target.

Click here for full result and free video replay!

Santry – Declan Carroll – Wednesday, 5f 2yo Novice Stakes

The trainer has said all along that he felt this was a very smart colt and two wins from two starts suggests we should start to take some notice.

The son of Harbour Watch had already won a division of the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster in handy fashion and was even better at York giving 6lb and a sound thrashing to some well-touted individuals.

Jockey Jim Crowley was told to take his time and his mount showed a smart turn of foot after three mid-race liveners to put the race to bed with the minimum of fuss.

It is next stop Royal Ascot for this impressive physical specimen who could bully some less developed rivals in the Norfolk Stakes – I have taken some of the 16/1 on offer already.

Click here for full result and free video replay!

Theydon Grey – William Haggas – Wednesday, 1m3½f Handicap

The Newmarket handler enjoyed a couple of nice winners over the three days and there looks to be more to come from Theydon Grey down the line despite finishing out of the frame behind Zain Arion.

He ran his race towards the unfavoured far side away from the action in the closing event and it is reasonable to assume he was not in love with conditions after steady rain all afternoon.

The 4yo has been well fancied for both his starts since switching stables and certainly deserves another opportunity as there looks a good race in him back on a less-testing surface. 

Click here for full result and free video replay!

Makanah – Simon Crisford – Thursday, 6f 2yo Maiden Stakes

Crisford is still establishing himself in the training ranks and he will be keen to hit the target sooner rather than later for Sheikh Hamdan with the son of Mayson.

He certainly looked the part in the parade ring beforehand and flashed a fair bit of ability with the way he travelled through the race until being seen off inside the final furlong behind Zap and Red Force One.

His finishing effort as the line neared was probably not helped by the fact he had been a little keen in the early stages but this was an excellent starting point from which to build on next time.

Click here for full result and free video replay!

Mr Cripps - Ralph Beckett - Thursday, 2m Handicap

If I had to pick one horse from those highlighted to lump on next time then this would be it.

He is five now but clearly has not been the easiest to train having had just five career starts but connections have every right to persevere following two runs on the comeback trail this spring.

He was heavily backed at Leicester over a mile and a half after 18 months on the sidelines and the money flooded in once again just before the off when stepped up to two miles in this event. 

I don’t think his cause was helped by Richard Kingscote being forced to chart a course three deep out wide and meant he probably raced a little bit too much with the choke out. 

He was one of the first under the pump three furlongs out but kept on without posing any threat and I don’t think the chance to get some cover and a drop back in distance will do any harm in the slightest.

I get the impression this is a pretty talented individual whose light is currently under a bushel so keep a close eye out wherever he turns up next.

Click here for full result and free video replay!

Comprise – Michael Bell – Friday, 5f Handicap

The son of Pivotal really stood out in the paddock as a strong, rangy type but everything that could go wrong went wrong when it came down to business on the day.

Having got to the start, he delayed the race by 10 minutes having spread a plate but seemed to take being re-shod in his stride.

It was once he entered the stalls the trouble really started as he got pretty restless before missing the break as the rest of the field charged up the Knavesmire.

Poor Lulu Stanford had no chance as she tried to coax him back into contention but his race was gone and it is back to the drawing board to plan for another day.

His previous run at Yarmouth had been excellent when managing to break on terms and hopefully he can leave this effort well behind and bounce back as there are more races to be won with him.

Click here for full result and free video replay!

Honourable mentions:

The Tin Man is a model of consistency and ran like a horse being prepared for bigger days ahead by trainer James Fanshawe in the Clipper Logistics Duke of York Stakes.

His race position towards the centre of the track was not ideal considering the way things panned out but he travelled well and was not given a hard time under top weight. 

He holds an entry in Ireland this weekend but I expect he will be cherry ripe for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Richard Fahey’s Forest Ranger was the best-looking horse I saw all week and can surely bounce back from a below-par effort in the Dante Stakes given time while Palmer was a creditable third after a slow exit from the stalls in Santry’s event and should get off the mark soon in ordinary company.  

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