Timeform UK SmartPlays: Wednesday May 16

The Charles Hills-trained Shropshire was just denied in a competitive Newmarket sprint last time, collared on the line by Maarek, and he makes plenty of appeal in York's 14:00 given that he races off an identical mark. The four-year-old was gelded before his seasonal return, gaining a second career victory in a hot Kempton handicap, and his following run at Pontefract can be excused as he never really got into contention in a race where the field split in the straight. His Newmarket effort was a career-best and, as he is still unexposed, there remains the promise of greater things to come. He is certainly one to keep on side, and has an excellent chance of taking the win.

A swift detour south for Lingfield's 14:50 can pay dividend as Monashee Rock looks a cracking win and place bet under jockey Liam Keniry. The seven-year-old mare is typically held-up in her races, a run style which means she needs things to go her way, and, with there being a decent split of pace horses and those usually ridden more conservatively, the front-runners possibly just shading it on the head-count, the race could set itself up for the selection. Alexs Rainbow and Timeform Horse in Focus Amber Heights are likely to provide fairly stiff opposition, but Monashee Rock looks solid for a place and could well sneak the victory should things pan out in her favour.

Heading back to York, where Tartiflette looks to have a decent chance of gaining a second win from just four starts. Trained by Ed McMahon, the three-year-old filly left her debut form well behind when scoring at Doncaster, beating a trio of next-time-out winners, and took a further step forward when finishing runner-up to Gregorian in a strong Newbury handicap on her reappearance. The winner of that contest when on to finish fifth in the French 2000 Guineas, a strong indication as to how solid Tartiflette's Newbury run was, and there is no reason why she cannot continue her upward curve.

Timeform SmartPlays

Back Shropshire @ 7.87/1 in the 14:00 at York
Back Monashee Rock @ 16.531/2 to win and 4.67/2 to place in the 14:50 at Lingfield
Back Tartiflette @ 6.411/2 in the 16:45 at York

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8 top-rated winners at the Dante Festival last year. Download York Race Cards HERE.