Richard Fahey: Route to glory? July Festival day one and York Dante card thoughts from our top columnist

12:25 York – Entrancing

She won her only start at two and ran ok when fourth at Redcar the other day – but the handicapper isn’t taking any chances with her. She’s fit and well and could well improve but needs to going up in grade.

12.25 York – Hartswood

I liked him as a two-year-old, he kept progressing, and thought he’d improve again at three. This is his reappearance and it’s a very competitive race to be coming back in but his work has been good.

12.25 York – Hurcle

He’s been running well without winning over six furlongs so we’re going up to seven with him here. I hope that’s going to suit him. He cost himself second by trying to beat Meraas at Pontefract last time and if he gets the trip here I’d expect him to go close.

12.55 York – Gabrial The One

Made a winning reappearance at Newcastle and was then third at Thirsk, where I was just a fraction disappointed with him. Track and trip at York will be fine and he’ll run his race – if that’s good enough to win then great.

12.55 York – Sootability

She’s progressing well this year and won at Haydock last time, form which is rock solid. She should get this trip and must have a good each-way chance given the form she’s in.

3.00 Newmarket – Escape Route

He’s a very nice two-year-old who won on debut at Pontefract, coming from last to first. It’s always tough for them going into a Group race off the back of just one run but he’s just the sort who’ll shape alright in a race like this. It’s a warm renewal of the July Stakes, we’ve the Windsor Castle winner, Coventry runner-up and some interesting maiden winners. Mine falls into that category and we’re happy to find out how good he is in this.

3.35 Newmarket – Exceptional

She was very impressive on her return at Pontefract and we backed her up quickly on the Rowley Mile track where she was beaten at long odds-on. That was over seven and she’ll be happy back at six on this track. She’s 13 pounds higher than Pontefract but is still progressing. It’s a competitive race with plenty in with a chance – including my filly.

3.45 York – Delph Crescent

Hand on heart he’s been disappointing this year and needs to bounce back but he does like this place which is a definite plus and he hasn’t got much weight on his back.

4.10 Newmarket – Forest Ranger

I don’t know what to make of his reappearance at Royal Ascot, it just didn’t happen for him. It needs to here as he’s in deep and the step up to a mile-and-a-half needs to bring about a big improvement.

4.20 York – Gumdrop

This is quite a nice colt by Toronado. He goes well at home and will definitely win races. I’d like to see him run well in this but it looks a typically warm York maiden.

4.20 York – Credible

We’ve been struggling to find races for the homebred fillies like her but she’s ready to go and it’s a nice course to make your debut on. It’s a tough ask in against the colts but we’ll see how she goes.

4.50 York – Doctor Cross

He was disappointing at Doncaster last weekend after a promising enough return at Pontefract. He came out of the race well and I’m happy to run him again. He’ll appreciate going back up to two miles too.

5.20 York – Irreverent

This is a warm handicap but we thought this one might just need his reappearance at Newcastle and he ran like he did. He should come on for that and he’s a horse I have a lot of time for. I’d love to see him go well.

5.20 York – Tadleel

We’re still learning about him, he won on his first start for us at Newcastle and wasn’t beaten far at Ayr next time. He’s in great form at home.

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