1:50 – Marygate Fillies’ Stakes (Listed)
This appears a tough race to call, with plenty of young, unexposed fillies lining up.
A mention must be given to a daughter of Camacho, Miss American Pie, for winning at huge odds on debut.
She didn’t get the best of starts there and will have learnt plenty.
Despite the form not being too impressive, she is perhaps one to follow in the lower class races if she is unable to compete at this level.
Yahsat was put in the tracker following a decent second-placed run on debut.
She went on to win at Pontefract on her subsequent appearance, and it’ll be interesting to see how she gets on here.
Beautiful Eyes is another who has caught the eye and should be considered, whilst worthy favourite Miami Girl put in an impressive performance on debut and should go well again.
2:25 – Fillies’ Stakes (Listed)
Perfect News 7/2 – William Haggas, Tom Marquand
This daughter of Frankel steps up in trip to a mile for the first time, having finished fourth behind 1000 Guineas-winner Cachet in the Nell Gwyn Stakes last month.
The extra furlong may bring with it improvement as she kept on well at Newmarket and the stable is in decent form.
It’s worth giving her another chance as she’s well bred and could turn out to be a very useful filly.
3:35 – Yorkshire Cup (Group 2)
Stradivarius 10/11 – John & Thady Gosden, Frankie Dettori
(6/1 antepost for the Ascot Gold Cup on 16.06.22)
The old favourite returns as an eight-year-old to a track where he has enjoyed four wins, including two Yorkshire Cup successes.
He must be respected, despite being past his best, he still retains plenty of quality and must still have enthusiasm for the game as connections continue to keep him in training.
The aim for the season is the Ascot Gold Cup, and a good runout here will be crucial in preparation for next month’s big race.
There are four runners opposing him here, and the biggest danger will likely come in the form of six-year-old mare Search For A Song.
She ran well behind her full-brother Kyprios at Navan last month, and will likely improve on that run, putting her right in the frame here.
Dermot Weld is currently performing at 5% strike rate, however, with one winner in the past fourteen days.
Tashkan finished second at this meeting last year, in a lower class race, and his run ahead of Stradivarius was slightly flattering in the Long Distance Cup, receiving 8lbs.
He’d benefit from some rainfall, which is unlikely to happen, and may be one to look forward to in the future.
Max Vega won a Group Three last month over a shorter trip, but he’s run over the trip at York twice without really making the frame and he didn’t have a horse of Stradivarius’ quality in those contests so may find this hard.
Thunderous steps up in trip following a respectable run at Chester.
He does have decent form in the book but is a bit of an unknown in a race like this and is up against a couple of classy horses.
Excuses can be made for many of Stradivarius’ shortcomings last season, but he is getting older and he doesn’t have anything to prove.
He will always be a true champion, regardless of how this season pans out for him.
If he has retained any of his spectacular ability he should be beating this field, but he may improve for the run and the Ascot Gold Cup remains the target.
There’s many a good tune played on an old fiddle.
By Katie Midwinter (12/05/22)
THE CONDITIONAL 