Alan Alger: My best bets for day two of the York Dante Festival
Our expert reveals his York Yankee for Thursday by talking you through his four tops tips from all of the day's races.
14.20
We're giving punters every chance of an early return by paying five places in this opening sprint handicap, coupled with refunds if your horse finishes second.
It is, however, a race where every bit of assistance looks welcome.
I really like LINE OF REASON from the in-form Paul Midgley stable.
This contest has been won by horses aged six or older in nine out of the last 10 seasons, and this eight-year-old is also a course-and-distance winner.
A low draw also looks important, with his stall five actually responsible for three of the last six winners.
He looks a great each-way bet at a tasty price.
14.55
Another course-and-distance winner takes my eye here.
CHAIN OF DAISIES hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since a fantastic win at Newmarket at the back end of last season.
She powered home that day and can, hopefully, go well fresh despite a mixed record when coming back from a break.
This is her first try at Group 2 level, but this looks a weak race for that class division.
Market leaders Mori and Coronet have lots of question marks surrounding them, meaning Henry Candy’s mare could be a value play.
15.30
The feature Dante has contenders from a number of leading establishments.
Trainer Tim Easterby has only had a handful of Group-class successes since the turn of the decade, but one of them – WELLS FARHH GO – runs on Thursday fresh from a victory in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes back in August of last year.
This is his first start at three and he may just be one of the best horses that the Great Habton handler has had in his stable for some time.
His breeding suggests he will get this trip comfortably.
16.35
This Listed three-year-old sprint has had a few shock winners over the last few years, including Fashion Queen at 20/1 last year for David O’Meara.
The lightly-raced MAIN DESIRE handled softer conditions well when winning over course and distance last season.
We also know that she handles good to firm from her win on debut.
She escapes a penalty as her previous Listed win was before the cut-off date of 31 August 2017, and she looks incredibly well-treated to land a hat-trick at a nice price.
