Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Flora can be the Champ in the Duke Of York

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck looks over the first day of the Dante Meeting from York, featuring the Duke Of York Stakes and Musidora.

York, Wednesday

MARHABA THE CHAMP is the chosen one in the opening ITV race from York’s Dante meeting (2:10pm). He has a real curate’s egg profile, but has distinguished himself more than once at this track, and off much higher marks. There was some encouragement to be drawn from his seasonal debut, which suggested he needs every bit of this trip nowadays.

HOLKHAM BAY looks a likely contender in the sprint handicap (2:42pm). Again, he’s one with some really good form here, and should come on for a rather luckless run at Goodwood most recently. In addition, Oisin Murphy takes over for a stable that has made an encouraging start to the season.

FLORA OF BERMUDA appeals as the winner of the Duke Of York (3:13pm). She strung together some good efforts in top company last year – most notably at Deauville and Ascot – and can improve again for a stable whose runners have not been needing their seasonal debuts.

MISS TONNERRE has a shot in the Musidora (3:45pm). Her form behind the Guineas 1-2 in the May Hill is about the strongest on offer here, yet she is a generous price at the time of writing. Add to that some very clear signs that she’ll be well suited by further and a return to good ground, and there are reasons to think she can put up a very bold show.

GREEN PURSUIT has a more to offer and can make the most of a nice mark in the seven-furlong handicap (4:18pm). A sharp improver for the new yard, he’s a good bit better than the tracks at which he’s been competing, running into a very well-treated horse at Ripon, but boxing on really gamely.