York Dante Festival Day 1 Tips: Beckett filly set for Smoken performance

York's Dante Festival kicks off on Wednesday with a seven-race card starting at 14:10 and concluding shortly after 17:25.

I've come up with three York Dante Festival Day 1 tips, including a couple for top trainer Kevin Ryan.

14:10 - Marhaba The Champ each-way @ 15/2

The opening race on Wednesday is the Jorvik Handicap and a field of 12 will battle it out over 1m 3f 188y, with The Reverend expected to put in a strong challenge for the duo of William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

But the four-year-old's last two appearances have been disappointing, the latest resulting in a ninth-placed finish at Doncaster in October, and preference instead is for MARHABA THE CHAMP.

Kevin Ryan's charge largely disappointed last season, although there were positive signs when finishing fourth at Ayr in September, and connections are hopeful of seeing improvement this year.

The six-year-old looked in need of the run on seasonal debut when ending up seventh at Pontefract last month and the return to a course he has won twice at could bring about a return to the winners' enclosure.

Marhaba The Champ triumphed at York in May 2023 with William Buick on board before Ryan Moore then guided the chestnut gelding to a course-and-distance victory three months later.

Rowan Scott gets the ride on Wednesday and there looks to be every chance he can deliver a third win on the Knavesmire for the Mr Jaber Abdullah-owned charge.

This is an Extra Place Race, with Betfred paying 4 places instead of 3 at 1/5 the odds for all each-way bets.

15:13 - Inisherin @ 9/4

Kevin Ryan may not have to wait long for a second success of the day with INISHERIN fancied to take the spoils in race number three - the Group 2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes set over 6f.

The colt picked up three victories in 2024, landing a Novice Stakes at Newcastle over a mile before recording back-to-back success over 6f at Haydock Park (May) and Ascot (June).

A fifth-placed effort in the July Cup Stakes at Newmarket was followed by a 13th-placed finish in the Sprint Cup at Haydock - two underwhelming performances - but there were enough positives from that previous winning form to suggest he can bounce back at York.

Add in the fact the in-form Ryan Moore will be on board for the first time and there looks to be a strong chance Inisherin can chalk up win number four now returning to Group 2 company.

Place a win single bet on this race and if your horse wins get a 10% CASH boost on your winnings!

15:45 - Smoken @ 3/1

Trainer Ralph Beckett is double-handed in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes, set over 1m 2f 56y, with both Tattycoram and SMOKEN lining up in the six-runner field.

While Tattycoram is an interesting contender following a victory at Sandown Park in April, preference is for stablemate Smoken, who has Rossa Ryan booked in for the ride.

The three-year-old boasts an unbeaten record heading into the race, having landed a Class 5 Maiden Stakes at Nottingham in October last year before seeing off Secret Of Love by a length in the Listed Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket in November.

Making her seasonal reappearance, this daughter of Too Darn Hot will take some beating.

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