The Musidora Stakes, one of the last significant trials for the Oaks at Epsom early next month, is usually the feature event on the opening day of the Dante meeting at York, but it faces stern competition on Wednesday afternoon from the Duke Of York Stakes, when the outstanding sprinter Harry Angel will attempt to make a successful return to action under a 5lb Group One penalty.
The mere presence of Clive Cox’s four-year-old among the entries appears to have frightened off many of his potential opponents, and the seven-runner field is the first in single figures this century. Brando and Tasleet, though, are both very solid opponents, as Brando has the benefit of a run – and win – under his belt already this season and Tasleet showed his liking for this track and trip when successful in this race 12 months ago.
Harry Angel could be a bit of a tearaway in his three-year-old career, and followed Group One wins in the July Cup and Haydock Sprint Cup last season with a below-par fourth behind Librisa Breeze in the Champions Sprint at Ascot, where he failed to settle and faded in the final furlong. Tasleet finished in front of him there and is likely to be the one to benefit if Harry Angel (3.30) is again too free on his seasonal debut, but Cox feels his sprinter has matured over the winter and anything close to his best form from last year would probably be good enough.
Aidan O’Brien’s increasing preference for Chester as a testing ground for Epsom prospects has nibbled away a little at York’s reputation as the home of the best trials for the Derby and Oaks, and Sariska, in 2009, was the last Musidora Stakes winner to follow up in the Oaks.
John Gosden has supplied the last three winners, including Star Of Seville, who went on to take the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly, and his runner Highgarden could well start favourite despite being one of only two in the field that did not manage a win last time out. She has also run both her races to date on soft ground so today’s faster surface is an unknown, and Ceilidh’s Dream (4.05), who looked much improved when winning at Newmarket first time up, could offer better value at the likely odds.
Hamada is the favourite for the 12-furlong handicap which opens York’s season but his stable companion Banksea (2.20) has a similar chance on form and is more than double his price. George Bowen (2.55) has won off a higher mark than today’s 89 and looked close to his best at Doncaster last time, while Three Saints Bay (4.35) was a ready winner over six furlongs at Pontefract last time and has winning form over seven as a juvenile.
Tallulah’s Quest (5.25) and Salt Whistle Bay (4.25), who beat the subsequent Victoria Cup winner Ripp Orf last time out, should both go well at Yarmouth, while Edge (7.25) made a solid return to turf at Salisbury last month and could be overpriced at around 9-1 on the evening card at Bath.
Quick guide Wednesday tips
Bath 5.20 Toolatetodelegate 5.55 Met By Moonlight 6.25 Haylah 6.55 Francophilia 7.25 Edge 7.55 Volphone Jelois 8.25 Christmas Night
Newton Abbot 2.00 King Calvin 2.35 Posh Totty 3.10 Oskar Denarius 3.45 Bestwork 4.15 Amour D’Or 4.45 Vivaldi Collonges 5.15 Ruffling Feathers
Perth 6.05 Champ 6.35 Calivigny 7.05 Bahrikate 7.35 Gibbstown 8.05 Cockley Beck 8.35 Maraweh 9.05 Mendip Express
Yarmouth 2.10 Nearest Green 2.45 Rayaa 3.20 Raven Banner 3.55 Orobas 4.25 Salt Whistle Bay 4.55 Gala Celebration 5.25 Tallulah’s Quest 6.00 Duba Plains
York 2.20 Banksea 2.55 George Bowen (nb) 3.30 Harry Angel 4.05 Ceilidhs Dream 4.35 Three Saints Bay (nap) 5.05 World Order 5.35 Zeelander