3 minute read

The weekend starts early at York on Friday with the Listed Ganton Stakes headlining a competitive card.

Shining Blue is at the top of the market in the 1m Listed Ganton Stakes (3:35) as a last winner at the track over 7f. He enjoyed a good start to the season in Meydan when winning and placing over the same trip and seems to go best during the first half of a campaign. It will be the Exceed and Excel gelding's first attempt in a domestic Listed race.

His main opposition looks to be El Drama, a proven stayer with Stakes form over a longer distance. The five-year-old has not won since his Listed success in the Dee Stakes at Chester back in May 2021 and has produced mixed performances since. However, he has a tendency to produce a surprise result such as his second in the Group 2 Joel Stakes in September and a second in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta in early March. His form over a mile is very useful and he could overturn the favourite in a small field.

A competitive field of fourteen line up for the 5f Class 2 Juddmonte British EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (4:10) and Steph Hollinshead's Angel Shared looks a potential value bet. The filly unseated her jockey in the paddock on debut and showed signs of inexperience when missing the break. She made progress mid-way through the race into third but weakened in the final furlong to finish fourth. The Harry Angel filly should improve for the experience and could play a major role.

Travel Candy has a first-time tongue tie applied and looks to be a worthy favourite in the 6f Class 3 SKF Rous Selling Stakes (2:25). The Dandy Man colt is having his first start for Brian Ellison after winning a claimer at Beverley on his last start in comfortable fashion and appears to be improving with each run.

In the 1m2½f Class 4 Andy Thornton Hospitality Furniture Apprentice Handicap (1:50), Menelaus has the potential to improve with the visor fitted for the first time. He has been steadily progressive since returning to action in April, winning a Class 5 Thirsk handicap over a mile by half-a-length in early June. The yard is in fair form with 21% (7-33) strike rate from the last fourteen days.

Previous course and distance winner International Girl catches the eye in the 6f Class 2 British EBF Supporting Racing With Pride Fillies' Handicap (3:00). She returned after her winter break with a good second at Ripon in a Class 3 handicap, keeping on well in the final furlong. She experienced the same ground conditions (good-to-firm) when winning over track and trip last July and can be competitive off her current mark.

Doctor Khan Junior chases a hat-trick in the 7f Class 3 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap (4:45). The application of a visor two starts back seemed to revitalise the gelding and he has won at both starts since, including a nineteen-runner course and distance event. Although he is stepping up in class again, the improvement is notable and jockey Harry Davies is in great form with a 21% strike rate (6-29) from the last fourteen days.