York Tips: Two for Day 1 of the Dante Festival

York's Dante Festival begins on Wednesday with a cracking seven-race card featuring the Duke Of York Clipper Stakes and the Musidora.

My York tips for the opening day are comprised of a couple of selections for those two big Group races.

15:15 - Spycatcher @ 15/2

What a renewal of the 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes.

Fifteen go to post for the Group 2 over six furlongs and I wouldn't be at all surprised were any of them to cross the line in front.

However, the one for me is Karl Burke's SPYCATCHER.

The six-year-old son of Vadamos has been a consistent sprinter throughout his career, but he was arguably as good as ever last season and his reappearance in the G3 Abernant Stakes at HQ last month was more of the same.

With that run under his belt and the excellent Ryan Moore in the plate, he must have an excellent chance over a course and distance he's coped well with before.

15:45 - Classical Song @ 9/2

I have a lot of respect for G3 Musidora Stakes favourite Friendly Soul, but I think the price difference between her and CLASSICAL SONG is too big.

While the former looks a serious talent, she's had just 10 days to recover from what was a testing enough reappearance - and if enough rain falls to significantly change the going, that would create further doubt in my book.

A softer surface would be no issue for Ralph Beckett's daughter of Lope De Vega, who's always looked a top prospect.

Her racecourse debut at Goodwood in August last year was full of promise and she confirmed that and then some when easily landing a Sandown maiden the following month.

She could 'only' manage fourth, beaten four lengths by Betfred Oaks favourite Ylang Ylang, in the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket to sign off her campaign, but nothing went to plan in-running and it was later revealed she bled, so I think she's a lot better than what she showed there. I also expect a lot of improvement for tackling intermediate trips.

It won't be easy to beat the favourite, but considering a couple of doubts about her and the fact the selection comfortably holds her other five rivals on official ratings, the price is too tempting to pass on.