Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: York Dante Meeting Day 2 Tips

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Thursday’s racing from York, where the Dante is the feature.

• Bet on Horse Racing at William Hill

York, Thursday

LUNA A INBHIR NIS is taken to land the opening TV race on Dante day (2.20). She was hugely progressive last year, acquitting herself well in better races than this, and there’s no reason why she shouldn’t move forward again. She looks to have the best of the draw, acts well on the track, and has the best gate jockey around to get her well positioned. She could take a bit of catching.

CERULEAN BAY looks sure to run a big race in the mile handicap (2.55). The stable excels in these races, and he looks to have the strongest credentials, evidently agreed on by the stable jockey. He ran a tidy race on his seasonal debut, has a nice draw and ideal conditions, and should be sharper today on a track that evidently suits.

DIAMOND RAIN might just be able to stem the rare winless run for her stable in the Middleton (3.30). She’s a massive filly who did exceptionally well on tight North American tracks her last two starts, and will surely be well suited by unwinding down this long straight on a galloping track. Given Fallen Angel’s slight stamina doubts, it may be that the selection is the controlling pace, and she appeals most at the likely odds, given Sea The Fire hasn’t quite matched her heroics in this last year.

ACTION is the percentage play in the Dante (4.05). He looked pretty leery in the Sandown Trial, but wasn’t beaten that far in a strong race, and the trainer maintains he didn’t face the tongue tie. Given the huge volume of money for him before the race, he was clearly expected to produce a good deal better, and his two year old form suggests he deserves a chance to make amends here.

REVIVAL POWER can take the Westow (4.40). She’s Group One entered, and – given the way she scorched home here in the Roses last year – I can see her becoming a Nunthorpe filly like her sister. She is all pace, and a return to the Knavesmire will see her to good effect.