Richard Hannon: “He’s in good form and could improve for the extra distance”

YORK – THURSDAY

2:25 G2 Middleton Stakes

Aristia (Sean Levey)

She’s always been a very high-class filly, who won her Group 1 in France last summer and this race has been the early season plan all winter. It was no fluke when she came out and finished second in this last year after having won over course and distance in 2021. She put in a great effort in the G1 Nassau en route to success in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet and I don’t think she’s particularly ground dependant. Her work has been good, and she’s had an away day, so shouldn’t be wanting fitness-wise and she must have a very serious chance.

5:20

Great Bedwyn (Hollie Doyle)

I don’t think he handled the track at Newmarket last time, so this flatter course will suit much better. The step up to a mile and a half will help too. He’s a biggish sort of price, and this is a competitive race, but he’s in good form and could improve for the extra distance.

We have runners down at Salisbury, which is a track we tend to enjoy plenty of success at, and I quite like Christian David in the Novice at 2:35. He’s owned by David Seale, who is a good pal of ours, and this son of Profitable has been working well at home, so should go nicely. Liv My Life is a talented filly and she bumped into a smart one at the same track last time. She’ll have a Handicap mark after this, but has plenty of ability and is not without hope in the 2:05. Mind you, if Relief Rally wins, that would boost the form for Gaiden at York tomorrow.