Horse Racing Tips
Horse Racing Tips: Best Bets From York On Opening Day Of Dante Meeting
The opening day of the 2026 Dante Festival at York Racecourse takes place on Wednesday 13th May and William Hill News tipster Steven Mullington is here to preview the action on the Knavesmire.
The day features a seven-race card, headlined by the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (a key trial for the Oaks) and the Minster Stakes over six furlongs.
York Tips Wednesday:
- 1.45pm – Varzi
- 2.20pm – Stressfree
- 2.55pm – Strike Red
- 3.30pm – Big Mojo (NAP)
- 4.05pm – Sea The Storm
- 4.40pm – Inishbeg (NB)
- 5.15pm – Arrange
Without further ado, scroll down to read our tipster’s thoughts on each race at York on Day 1 of the 2026 Dante Festival.
1.45 – 5f EBF Novice Stakes
Six unraced two-year-olds go to post in the York opener with the nod just going to the Karl Burke-trained VARZI.
Havana Grey has become a highly successful stallion for producing early, fast two-year-olds and his son here is hopefully yet another chip off the block.
2.20 – 1m4f Jorvik Handicap
Described by David O’Meara as the “bridesmaid” due to numerous close second-place finishes, STRESSFREE can reward each-way punters with another trip to the payout counter on the Knavesmire.
At odds of 13/2 in our markets, career win number six could well be on the cards for this solid performer.
2.55 – 6f Churchill Tyres Handicap
Course and distance winner STRIKE RED loves it at York is an attractive price in our sports betting for an each-way flutter.
Coming home first in a maximum field of 22 is no easy task, but the Richard Fahey-trained eight-year-old is a gutsy individual and will race to the line.
3.30 – 6f Minster Stakes (Group 2)
Now a four-year-old colt, BIG MOJO (NAP) established himself as a top-class sprinter last season.
Running off an official rating of 117, Mick Appleby’s charge is highly likely to pick up from where he left off last season, and I’m pretty confident he will be back on the podium again in today’s race.
Due to his Group 1 victory last season, Big Mojo will carry a 5lb penalty, but it shouldn’t inconvenience him.
4.05 – 1m2½f Musidora Stakes (Group 3)
SEA THE STORM notched up a second career success last when scoring by a neck at Wetherby.
I was in attendance that day, and although she was not visually impressive on the track, I thought there was plenty to build upon.
An extended mile-and-a-quarter assignment in this Group 3 is the next step before connections decide where she will go next.
4.40 – 7f Handicap
Kevin Ryan’s INISHBEG (NB) showed potential with a strong debut at the York Ebor meeting in August 2025, then got off the mark with a victory in a 7f Maiden Stakes at Thirsk on 18 April 2026, winning by three-quarters of a length.
Purchased for 500,000gns, the three-year-old colt can go well again at a racecourse that the trainer and jockey thrive at.
5.15 – 1m4f Getting Out Handicap
If you’re on the hunt for a horse to run well at a big price on the York card today, I suggest having a second look at Martin Todhunter’s ARRANGE in the lucky last.
An out-and-out stayer, Arrange has previous good form at York, including coming fourth in this two years ago and finishing a brave second to Gibside in a two mile contest in October 2024.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
