The Daily Yankee:
NAP OF THE DAY: Making Miracles (1735 York), 1pt win, 10/1 generally available
Trainer Mark Johnston hasn’t always had the success at York that would be expected of the most powerful local yard. However he has a very interesting runner in Making Miracles on handicap debut off a mark of 80. He has run well in maidens, but as a horse twice asked to go 10f in the autumn of his 2yo campaign, it is surely longer trips that will see him thrive this year. He steps up to 12f here, and champion De Sousa is likely to have him on or near the pace. He looks just the sort to end up in a race like the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot, but that needs to start here with a convincing win, he looks a tasty price.
Stradivarius, (1530 York), 1/1: John Gosden took the feature race yesterday and has every chance of following up in today’s Yorkshire Cup with promising 4yo Stradivarius. He ran to the top level as a 3yo which is impressive over staying trips and should improve immensely now he is a 4yo. There are bigger targets to come, but this should be a fairly easy season opener and Frankie should get a good tune out of him.
Valcartier, (1605 York), 9/2: Gosden can register a quick double with another 4yo in the exotically bred Valcartier. He showed promise last year, bombing out only when he met soft ground. He ran as well as could be expected against a hotpot on his all weather reappearance and the ground here should be right up his street. We love Thundering Blue and he is the obvious danger but this track may not suit him as much as it does Valcartier.
Dark Intention, (1635 York), 14/1: This fillies handicap looks a lot thinner in quality than in numbers. A few of these may prefer some cut, and a couple of others like to lead ensuring a likely strong gallop. Dark Intention won over this course last Autumn coming home from behind in a strongly run race. She was favourite to win on seasonal debut but ran as though in need of the run. This race could be made to measure.
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