York spotlight on Motivator
Perhaps the most definitive of Derby trials, a pointer to the Oaks and a top-class Group One contest over a mile are just three of the things to look forward to in a cracking week coming up.
The three-day May meeting at York is one of the best in the calendar, with the highlight being the totesport Dante Stakes on Thursday.
This 10-furlong affair has long been regarded as a stepping stone to the premier Classic and was won 12 months ago by the Sir Michael Stoute-trained North Light, who went on to glory in the blue riband at Epsom.
A very nice prize in its own right with £145,000 (€212,500) in added money, this year’s renewal is likely to centre around Michael Bell’s Motivator, unbeaten as a two-year-old and vying for Derby favouritism with Footstepsinthesand.
The Tattersalls Musidora Stakes on Wednesday gives the fillies their chance to stake a Classic claim, on a card backed up by the Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes over six furlongs.
Friday’s feature sees the stayers in the spotlight courtesy of the Emirate Airline Yorkshire Cup over a mile and three-quarters.
The Lockinge meeting at Newbury gets under way on Friday with a couple of Listed events and hits top gear the following day with the Juddmonte-sponsored mile showpiece.
Sadly, dual Guineas winner Attraction will be missing from this year’s renewal, but the likes of Rakti and the enigmatic Antonius Pius should still make for compulsive viewing.
Both York and Newbury will be covered by the Channel 4 cameras, so there is no excuse to miss any of the action.
Nottingham is also worthy of a mention with its two-day card featuring the televised totesport Fillies’ Stakes, a Listed race over six furlongs, on Saturday.
The week is rounded off with Classic fare at Longchamp courtesy of the French 1000 and 2000 Guineas, the latter a possible target for both last season’s European champion juvenile Shamardal and the rapidly-improving Indesatchel.
Fixtures (Flat in capitals):
Monday: REDCAR, SOUTHWELL, Towcester (evening), WINDSOR (evening), WOLVERHAMPTON
Tuesday: Hereford, Huntingdon (evening), MUSSELBURGH, Newton Abbot (evening), YARMOUTH
Wednesday: BRIGHTON, Exeter, NEWCASTLE (evening), Perth (evening), YORK (CH4)
Thursday: CARLISLE (evening), Ludlow (evening), Perth, SALISBURY, YORK (CH4)
Friday: Aintree (evening), HAMILTON (evening), NEWBURY (CH4), NOTTINGHAM, YORK (CH4)
Saturday: Bangor, NEWBURY (CH4), NOTTINGHAM (CH4), THIRSK, Uttoxeter (evening), Worcester (evening)
Sunday: Fakenham, Market Rasen, RIPON
