The ITV cameras are on the Knavesmire on Saturday where the feature is the York Stakes. Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway returns with his best bets at the track.
2.05 York - Sugar Baby @ 14/1
2.40 York - Barefoot Angel @ 9/1
3.15 York - Alflaila @ 7/2
4.35 York - Kalamity Kitty @ 14/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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The "Jump Jockeys' Nunthorpe" Handicap (2.05) will be fast-and-furious and that might play to the strengths of Sugar Baby, who is a 5f specialist that is ideally suited by a test of speed.
The five-year-old has shown improved form this year and followed her impressive victory at Thirsk last month with a good second at Musselburgh next time.
He pulled clear of the rest with the rapidly improving subsequent winner Rock Melody that day and the form is strong.
Sugar Baby was drawn wide at Beverley three weeks ago and could finish only sixth. But it’s not easy to make an impact from the middle of the track on the Westwood and he can be forgiven the run.
He is 1lb lower here and might be capable of bouncing back to his best.
A low draw in stall three should be favourable and there could be more progress to come.
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The Dash Handicap (2.40) is as competitive as you’d expect but there is one horse who might hold a class edge and that is last season’s Group 3 winner Barefoot Angel for Richard Fahey.
Barefoot Angel followed her victory in the Firth of Clyde at Ayr with an excellent fourth behind classy pair Cold Case and Washington Heights in the Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar.
That is strong form in the context of this race and Barefoot Angel can be forgiven her sole run since. She was well held on that occasion in the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket, but probably wasn’t ideally suited by the step up to 7f and has subsequently been given wind surgery.
A 101-day absence confirms not all was right that day and Barefoot Angel is worth another chance to make her mark now she returns to sprinting and makes her debut in a handicap.
Barefoot Angel @ 9/1 - 1pt win
My Prospero heads the market in the York Stakes (3.15) and will be hard to beat if reproducing his best.
However, he has been below form on his two starts this season and comes into this race following a disappointing effort in the Prince of Wales’s at Royal Ascot.
He is begging to be taken on and Alflaila makes plenty of appeal as he was going forwards when last seen at Newmarket in October and looks sure to carry his progress into this year.
Alflaila won his last three starts last season and that includes back-to-back victories in Group 3 races.
One came in the Strensall Stakes over 1m1f at this course and the other was also over that trip at Newmarket, but on both occasions he was strong at the finish and 1m2f could suit.
He is unraced on slow ground, but connections won’t run unless conditions are suitable and Owen Burrows always has his horses hard fit first time, so the 294-day absence is no concern.
The 2m1/2f handicap (4.35) provides a good opportunity for Kalamity Kitty to get back to winning ways now that she makes just her second start in the space of more than 14 months.
Kalamity Kitty progressed well at the start of last year, when winning three on the bounce and completing a four-timer, but she wasn’t seen out again after her last success at Nottingham in May 2022.
She was off the track until returning at Kempton last month.
The selection showed the fire still burns that day as she was forced wide throughout, but ended up finishing just four lengths behind the winner. It was a promising return to action.
Kalamity Kitty likes soft ground and has every chance if she can build on that reappearance.
Kalamity Kitty @ 14/1 - 1pt win
2.05 York - Sugar Baby @ 14/1
2.40 York - Barefoot Angel @ 9/1
3.15 York - Alflaila @ 7/2
4.35 York - Kalamity Kitty @ 14/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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