Sir Michael Stoute is particularly strongly associated with York and it's a typically slowly-played one of his that we're hoping can kick off the meeting with a winner. Rye House (13:45) hasn't run since this meeting last year, when he won a C&D handicap in emphatic style from a couple that improved subsequently. He's now 10 lb higher in the weights but punters clearly aren't perturbed and neither should they be: Rye House could be set for bigger things than handicaps and you can have faith in Stoute above anyone else getting him ready for this belated return to the fray.
It's another familiar with York that will carry our hopes in race two (14:15). Blaine's first two runs resulted in wins here, the second coming in the Gimcrack. Since then he has struggled to make any sort of impact; it was his own fault in 2013, not so on his return last time. Poorly drawn over five furlongs, the freshly-gelded Blaine shaped really well, coming from wider than any of the other principals and finishing within one and half lengths over what's probably an inadequate trip. Today he teams up with Champion Jockey Richard Hughes and returns to York for the first time since his Gimcrack success, seemingly in his best form since. With his BHA mark now a tempting 95, Blaine would prove tough to beat if able to build on Beverley.
For our final selection, which comes in the Musidora (14:45), we're asking that you look back to last October. At Nottingham a well-bred Juddmonte filly from the Charles Hills yard was allowed to go off at a BSP of 21.20 in a maiden but made light of that affront to win readily from Regardez. The filly in question was Cambridge and no one will be making the same mistake on her second start here, least of all us. Her yard aren't messing around either, Cambridge entered in just about every race that matters and this recongnised Oaks trial chosen over a handicap- she could have her pick of those from a derisory BHA mark of 84. This longer trip won't be a problem, several of her winning siblings having stayed this far despite being by less stamina-imparting sires than Cambridge's (Rail Link), so expect a bold showing from Cambridge on the way to Epsom.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at York
Back Rye House @ 4.57/2 in the 13:45
Back Blaine @ 11.010/1 in the 14:15
Back Cambridge @ 4.94/1 in the 14:45
