Horse racing tips: Thursday, May 15

Telegraph

15-05-2025

Day two of the Dante Festival at York (2.10-5.25pm) features the headline race of the meeting, a fascinating Group 2 Derby trial that includes the current favourite for the Epsom Classic.
There's also a Group 2 contest for fillies that features the day's NAP selection, plus plenty of other decent races. It's another top-quality card and I have selections for all seven races.
Ron Wood's selections:
Odds provided by Betfair and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (max 5).
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2.10 York – Class 2 Handicap (5f)
This is a typically competitive sprint handicap but SHAGRAAN looks like having more to offer.
He won a couple decent handicaps at Goodwood and Haydock last year and also ran well in a similar race to this at York's Ebor meeting in August. There was also enough in his close third on this month's season reappearance, again at Goodwood, to think he can progress again this term.
2.42 York – Class 2 Handicap (1m)
A chance is taken on STANAGE. He was totally unsuited by the drop to 6f at Newmarket last time out, but he had shaped well when third in a 7f handicap there on his previous outing, having won over the same trip at Doncaster on his reappearance.
He now steps back up to a mile and although there is a slight question mark against him because he can be headstrong, his Doncaster win came in the only race in which he has worn a hood, which is now refitted, replacing blinkers.
The selection has gone close over this trip before and this will be a sharp test at the distance, on fast ground on a flat track (and the exact race distance isn't even quite a full mile).
3.13 York – Middleton Fillies' Stakes (Group 2, 1m 2½f)
SEE THE FIRE (NAP) defeated her male rivals when winning the Group 3 Strensall Stakes last August. That was her only previous start at York, a track where her dam, Arabian Queen, won the 2015 Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes.
The selection shaped as though she needed the run when fifth in a Group 3 race at Sandown on her reappearance. She was again facing male rivals that day, but she's now back against her own sex and the ground is expected to be much quicker now, which will suit her.
Nakheel is an interesting prospect, but her Group 2 win last autumn came over 1m 6f on slow ground and surely she won't be able to match See The Fire for speed. Andrew Balding's filly has twice placed at Group 1 level and should be too good for this field.
3.45 York – Dante Stakes (Group 2, 1m 2f)
Derby favourite THE LION IN WINTER (NB) makes his reappearance in this trial for Epsom.
Aidan O'Brien's colt hasn't been seen since winning the 7f Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last August. He missed the Dewhurst with a bruised foot and wasn't ready in time for this month's 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. But the Acomb form was boosted when third-placed Ruling Court won the Guineas.
The selection may need the run but he did well to achieve such a high level of form as a two-year-old considering he is bred to be suited by this sort of trip and even further. He won both of his starts and the form of his debut win at The Curragh has worked out as well.
This is a good-looking race, with four unbeaten runners including The Lion in Winter. However, Aidan O'Brien has been winning all the other Derby trials, so it will be disappointing if this horse, who may be the best of the lot, is beaten in his Epsom audition, whether or not he is a peak fitness.
Selection: The Lion In Winter (3.45, York) @ 11/10 with Betfair
4.18 York – Listed Stakes (5f)
TROPICAL STORM won a Listed race over course and distance last summer. He was then fourth behind one of his rivals in this race, Aesterius, in the Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster – but the latter now has a 5lb penalty and lacks a recent run.
In contrast, Tropical Storm has had a recent spin at Newmarket. He was unplaced in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes but that was a tough race against older rivals with which to open his season.
Now, with the benefit of that outing, he drops down in class at a course that suits him to race against his own age group.
Selection: Tropical Storm (4.18, York) @ 5/2 with Betfair
4.55 York – Novice Stakes (6f)
Four horses who have raced once and eight newcomers make up the field for this juvenile event, so there's not a lot to go on, but it could take a pretty useful performance to deny TADEJ.
This Archie Watson runner was beaten under a length by one of today's rivals, Wise Approach, on their debuts at Ascot, but the selection is now 5lb better off with the penalised Charlie Appleby colt.
Tadej looked worthy of extra credit at Ascot, where he had to challenge on the outside of the pack, so he looks to have improvement in him.
5.25 York – Class 3 Handicap (1m 4f)
ANNIVERSARY made a notable debut at Newmarket last season, winning the same maiden that gave the great Frankel the first of his 14 career victories in 2010.
Ralph Beckett's runner was beaten on his next two starts but he will be suited by this step up in trip on his return and still has the potential to progress.
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