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York Dante Day Thursday 16th May 2012

So, arrive home this evening to find my girlfriend with a 33/1 winner in he shape of Tiddlywinks, no joke her words were... I just liked the name while I put your bet on! Very funny.

Tomorrows card is a stella line up of newcomers who I'm sure will go on to bigger and better things throughout this season. The Dante is a big Derby trial and I'm sure it will tell us lots in the Derby puzzle.

On with the card...
York

1.30pm 5f Handicap

Big prices have taken his prize in recent years and it looks a very open race with little between quite a few of these and hard to see a clear pattern from the draw but it may pay to be with high numbers. It's a real conundrum with lots of these running in the same or similar races off a very similar mark. However, although ANCIENT CROSS is a little high in the handicap I believe he can still take this. Mick Easterby's yard in starte to fire now an if this horse can replicate his run in his victory of the race last year or his run in the Ladbrokes Portland Handicap then he will take this. He did run a poor race first time out but that is quite common for this horse and a huge step up in performance for this race is expected.

2.00pm 1m 2f 88y Middleton Stakes

John Gosden has produced some of the most exciting and progressive horses so far this season, coupled with the master stroke jockey William Buick they are a force to be reckoned with and that leads me on to me selection IZZI TOP. This pivotal filly has done nothing but progress and is certainly one on the upgrade. Her last run at Newmarket was over a shorter trip that didn't suit so the extra furlong will play to her stamina proven strengths. IZZI TOP came very close to landing the Oaks at Epsom last season and will be on the score sheet here in what will be a very competitive race.

2.30pm 1m 2f 88y Dante Stakes

A true Derby trial which has been a good indicator for picking the winner of my favourite classic. This is simple,BONFIRE. Buckets of water will be needed to put this fire out. I really respect Andrew Balding as a trainer, an honest, open insightful guy who would love to have a real derby hope on his hands and I believe he has a real live chance on his hands with BONFIRE. The bloodlines are positive, he's out of Manduro who won the Prince of Wales Stakes and Group Ones in France and Germany including the Prix Doy over the 1m 4f trip.
BONFIRE is a great name for this progressive, scopey colt who I'm sure will go on to bigger and better things.

Good Luck if your having a punt!

BONFIRE FOR DERBY COME ON!

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