Richard Fahey York Dante Festival runners

Our columnist with a guide to his runners on the second day of the York Dante Festival.

THURSDAYYork14:10 Vintage Clarets

He has winning form at York and showed he was on the way back when running well in third at Ripon last time. He’ll need luck in running as he always does and this is a York sprint handicap so you know it’s going to be tough. I’d just imagine he’d ideally want slower ground but he goes there in great order.

16:55 Spaceman

A son of Starman who we like. As I keep saying we haven’t really been able to find out too much about the two-year-olds before they race this season because of the long dry spell.

We like what we see at Musley Bank from him but this is a tough race with Wise Approach and Jan Steen winning on debut and a host of other well-bred newcomers. I hope my fellow shapes well.

FridayYork14:42 Have Secret

I thought the handicapper was very tough on him, putting him up eight pounds for winning at Ripon the other day. We were one of the very few race-fit horses in there and while he won well, he was entitled to.

He’s had eight or nine goes from marks in the high-80s and low-90s and never won before but we have to try again. I hope I’m wrong and the handicapper is right as he’s in very good form.

16:15 Loom

He over-raced at Newmarket on his return and was a bit fresh so we’re dropping him back to five furlongs on Friday. I think he’s probably a six-furlong horse if I’m honest but he needs to learn to chill and relax in his races. He is talented and I do like him.

16:15 Mearall

A horse who has wintered extremely well, I’m very pleased with him this spring. This is a fact-finding mission to find out if five furlongs is OK for him. If it is, we’ll probably aim at Royal Ascot and he goes to York very fit and very well.

16:15 Tuscan Point

I’d be a little surprised if he won this as he needs to step up on what he’s been doing but he is getting plenty of weight and that always gives them a chance.

17:30 Flying Fletcher

I do think seven furlongs could be his trip. He loves dropping in and coming from off the pace. He’ll need luck but could go well if everything falls right for him.

17:30 Musical Touch

He’s in great form, I’m very pleased with him and I’m looking forward to seeing him over seven furlongs for the first time. He has a nice, uncomplicated, draw in three and I hope he’s still progressing.

SaturdayNewbury13:25 Strong Warrior

I feel like I’m picking on the handicapper, but he’s put him on a mark of 91 which means I can’t run in Class 2 handicaps. So, we go down for this Listed race against three or four horses with very solid, pattern-race form.

It’s a fact-finding mission with our colt. I’m looking forward to seeing if he can step up and play with the big boys. I hope he can.

Thirsk13:35 Cotai Belle

I was disappointed with her at Leicester on debut and she’s worked disappointingly since, she’s working as she ran. I think she might need to go down the handicap route but I hope she proves me wrong and turn out to be the filly I thought she might be before the first run.

15:55 Quiet Resolve

I’m surprised the race has cut up a little bit. I was going to run in what looked an easier one on the card but for £20,000 we have to a go in this. I thought he ran well last time and was probably in front too soon and just got nailed late.

16:30 Reidh

He hasn’t been at his best so far this season. He ran a little better at Redcar last time but needs more again on Saturday.

Doncaster18:07 Minshaar

I do like this filly and was very disappointed with her at Pontefract first time where she was a bit green. She’s better than that but there are one or two in here that will be tough to beat, Fast Track Harry is rated 90 for example. I do like my filly though.

18:42 Sporting Light

I thought he ran well first time at Pontefract, he travelled well through the race. I think we’ll ride him with a little more restraint on Saturday, get a lead and use his speed to get into the race. He goes there in good form and has done very well since his debut.

19:15 Rock Opera

He ran well to be second at Pontefract last time and is off the same mark so he must have a chance in an open race.

19:48 Ay Gee Ell

He’s proving a tough horse to win with. I ran him in an ordinary maiden at Hamilton last time and he just found one too good. The owner has a box at Doncaster on Saturday and I’m delighted there’s a race there for this fellow. He’s down a pound to 76 and I hope he runs well for the owners.

Richard Fahey York Dante Festival runners

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