ITV Racing Tips: Three Wednesday Fancies As Dante Begins

One of the best midweek cards of the flat season has arrived with the Dante Meeting at York taking centre stage. Racing on the Knavesmire is never something to miss and this year promises to be no exception. The ITV Racing cameras are in town and while there is also a race at Ffos Las set to be broadcast, Billy Grimshaw's three tips all comes in Yorkshire...

14:15 York - Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap

This looks a typically competitive race to kick things off up at York, one of the best tracks to watch racing at but a notoriously tricky place for punting. Course form is to some crucial everywhere and to others it is dependant, but a record of two runs two wins at a track is not to be sniffed at and that is what favourite MARHABA THE CHAMP brings to the table.

Kevin Ryan's Godolphin charge is five now and looks to be on a fair mark here with William Buick booked to ride him once more, and with his record fresh strong - he won on seasonal debut here last season - I think there is juice in his current price of 4/1 with BetMGM.

There are a host of dangers in this field, not least the co-favourite and top weight Klondike who is the one I fear most. Haggas and Marquand combine with this four year old handicap debutant and he could well be a class apart here, however I'd rather be with the proven performer. At a price One For The Gutter interested me too for Ian Williams on the back of his good record fresh but I'll stick with just one pick in this cracker of a first race.

14:45 York - Churchill Tyres Handicap

Ahh, a sprint handicap at York. One of the easiest races to crack as a punter or a pundit. Of course, I am jesting and this looks predictably tricky, with pace all over the place and some old favourites set to lock horns once more.

Summerghand heads the market at the time of writing and looks to be a lock for those who love a placepot or place accumulator. He had been so consistent over the years but does seem to have become slightly more unreliable of late. Nevertheless, he is well weighted and if off to an alert start should be there or thereabouts, for all that he does improve as the season goes on traditionally.

I'm surprised to see CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD available to back at double figures and he'll do nicely in this race considering on both outings this season he has not been smiled upon by lady luck. He was chinned at Newbury before finding trouble at Newmarket last time out and although it is a while since his last win, he is a likeable type who always runs his race and that could well be enough to win here should he start more alertly.

Dakota Gold loves York but like Summerghand is a ten year old now, but if he gets away to a quick start he could lead them all a merry dance and he was the one I feared most against our pick, along with Aberama Gold who has given off the distinct impression he has been building all season thus far.

15:15 York - 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes

This could be the three most competitive races in succession I have studied since taking this job, with this Group 2 prize bringing together a fifteen strong field in which it is hard to totally dismiss any of them.

Plenty in here have gone forward in the past and while it may end up being a tactical affair, I doubt it and as such would rather be on a bit of a stalker. There are plenty in here who were tempting but the rank outsider of the field COMMANCHE FALLS looks disrespected to me and I'll recommend a small bet on him.

He is no spring chicken at seven but had a fruitful campaign last year. Sprinters often get better with age and with the potential for a real pace burn up here I'm hopeful that Michael Dods' charge takes a good step forward for his average at best seasonal debut last time out. There are a list as long as your arm of potential winners in here so I won't discuss the dangers, but hopefully Commanche Falls can swoop late.