The Wine Tipster: “The hallmark of a colt who is going to make significant progress”

Day Two of the York Ebor Festival looks as competitive as ever and could be a good day for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon in the Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes at 2.25. A race he has won three times in the last five years.

Enjoy whether at York or watching #athome on ITV Racing or Racing TV.

Cheers, The Wine Tipster

1.50 York – Lowther Stakes Group 2 (6f)

Beautiful Diamond (nap) created a very good impression on debut at Nottingham, looked best in the paddock and ran out an easy winner (third and fourth have upheld the form) and although slightly below that form when third and favourite in the Queen Mary to Crimson Advocate and Relief Rally, when possibly found that coming a bit soon. Although it is worth noting that the Karl Burke team didn’t have a good Royal Ascot with their two-year-olds this year like they usually do.

Beautiful Diamond has been given a break since and although she has two lengths to find with Relief Rally on that Ascot form, it is worth remembering she had Flora Of Bermuda two lengths behind her there, and she’s a third of the price after her Goodwood win, so that makes little sense. There is definitely still time for Beautiful Diamond to improve on her third career start and the yard have won this twice is the last four years.

2.25 York – Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes (6f)

Persica for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon, who has trained the winner three times in the last five runnings, has another live chance here with this colt. Persica on debut finished down the field earlier this month and then reappeared three days later to win easily at Salisbury by three and quarter lengths when moving clear very smoothly. This run had the hallmark of a colt who is going to make significant progress and can secure another victory for the Richard Hannon team.

Gaiden, also trained by Richard Hannon, has the form from her first two starts, with an excellent second to Relief Rally (again, so many of these sales form lines run through him) on debut at Windsor and then an improved third in the Listed Marygate Stakes over five furlongs at York when doing some good work late on and looking like six furlongs would suit. Gaiden since then has had two starts, which have seen her form dip badly, and she needs to bounce back, but she’s got experience of the track and she’s not a 25/1 chance.

3.00 York – Clipper Stakes Heritage Handicap (7f)

Terwada makes a step up here to Class 2 level and is looking for a three-timer after he won on handicap debut at Newmarket last month when beating in good style The Gatekeeper, who went on to finish second in the Golden Mile Handicap at Goodwood. On his previous start this three-year-old colt cruised up at Nottingham on good to firm in admittedly a Class 4 by nine lengths to gain his first success on his third career start. This is a different proposition in a 20 runner Heritage Handicap, yet this genuine type is open to lots more progression, will be suited by the ground and has to be in the mix for each way players.

Master Richard came right back to form when second to Gweedore last time out at Newmarket after a disappointing performance on the Knavesmire on his previous run, having won on the all-weather on seasonal debut. Master Richard does have an excellent course record from last season at York with two wins from three starts on good to firm and if the yard shows a return to form then he can run a big race on ground that definitely suits.

3.35 York – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks Group 1 (1m 4f)

Novakai was marked up in my notebook when beaten a length in the Fillies’ Mile last year at Newmarket by the sadly now retired Commissioning, with these two well clear of the third. In the Musidora Novakai lost little in defeat when second in the Musidora on her reappearance this term to the subsequent Oaks winner Soul Sister, followed by a poor run at Chantilly but then she was right back to her best when upped to this distance at Newmarket last time, taking the Listed Aphrodite by almost five lengths. Novakai needs more in top company but clearly stays very well, and in an open division this year, holds definitely an each-way chance.