Welcome to my weekly blog on all things horse racing!

Quick Recap of York Day 1 Feature Races:

Minster 6f Grp2 – 15:30: Following in the footsteps of the previous races in more ways than one, Haggas and Marquand at the double with Elmonjed beating Kind Of Blue by a length this time. Low draws were seen to an advantage yet again, with the first past the post drawn in 1 and the runner- up drawn in 2; poetic, allbeit slightly disappointing for favourite backers (this time anyway!). Time For Sandals spent the entirety of the race on the disadvantageous far side and the writing seemed on the wall far from home. Another disappointing run came at the hands of American Affair – who was fighting for his head early and paid the price. A faster pace dropping back to 5f may suit him more ideally and should see him in a better light next time out. Big Mojo should come on for his reappearance and be more competitive next time out.

Musidora 1m2f Grp3 – 16:05: Persistence was rewarded though, namely through Legacy Link and Colin Keane. The winning filly showed a brilliant attitude to battle all the way to the line to fend off the game Kieran Shoemark ridden Felicitas by 3/4 of a length. This confirmed the step up in grade as well worth it for the Ed Walker trained runner, who should go onto bigger and better things from this, whilst simultaneously stamped the Gosden runner as an incredibly bright prospect over the 10f trip. K Sarra stayed on well after seemingly being the first to come off the bridle and should benefit from that run, definitely one to keep and eye out for next time. There was no moment of joy for Ballydoyle today with their sole runner disappointing, they will be hoping for a better showing tomorrow.

York Day 2 – Mouth Watering Middleton x Deceptive Dante

Middleton 1m2f Grp2 – 15:30

Ladies first as they say, and I’m happy to oblige when it comes to the Middleton Group 2. A race due to be run over 10 furlongs on what is forecast good ground. Strong in the market is last years 12 length winner See The Fire, who returned to action in a listed race at Nottingham last time out. That should have tuned her up well for tomorrows run and it’s clear she handles the course, her exploits in the latter stages of 2025 were by no means off-putting – but at the price of even money I’m tempted to look in other directions. Unsurprisingly, I’ve fallen for the 3 time group 1 winner Fallen Angel who is making her reappearance run here. I’m confident that Karl Burke has got her in good enough shape to be competitive in this and dropping back from open company should see her in a better light at 5/2. None of the quartet however can be discounted, with Diamond Rain running well stateside last term at the top level and Red Letter running well over this trip twice before. This is stacking up to be very exciting, despite the limited number of participants.

Dante 1m2f Grp2 – 16:05

Last but not least, the deceptive Dante. A Group 2 race run over 10 furlongs that often provides hope that if your horse runs well here, you may have a derby contender on your hands. Last years winner Pride of Arras – whom I backed at 14/1 for this went in and I’m hoping to find a fancy at a similar price. In the meantime lets discuss the top of the market. Aiden O’Brien will be hopeful about his charge Christmas Day, the current market favourite and he should be. The last time out Ballysax winner holds strong form claims, gains the services of Ryan Moore and relished the step up in trip last time out. Any improvement from that run and he could prove a tough nut to christmas crack! The short and stocky Haggas trained runner Morshidi will have no problem staying this extra furlong and should make a bold bid, although recent form lines with Poisedons Warrior and Issac Newton have not been well advertised since. I’m diverting away from the Charlie Appleby trained runners at the moment and hoping to catch them when the yard is firing on all cylinders. A clear dichotomy in form from that of Appleby’s stable is found with John and Thady Gosden, which leads to my selection in this race – Wise Prince. A horse still learning on the job and proved it last time out at Sandown, he was keen but still ran a good race to finish third to the impeccably bred Raheeb. I’m hoping Mr Havlin can get him to settle in behind horses and make the frame if not win for a stable who cannot seem to put a foot wrong currently. Overall, this seasons Dante looks very intriguing and often plays out that way too.

So, I’ve turned from a favourite backer to a 12/1 hopeful in the space of a day! Hoping for more success tomorrow and some competitive racing. Best of luck with all your individual selections tomorrow. Roll on day 2.

Written by Sebastien Croxall