Duke of York Stakes Preview

Dandy Nicholls hasn't had much joy in the Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes, run at York today (3.15), since Venture Capitalist obliged in 1996, but he can redress the balance with Gift Horse, a 6/1 chance with VCBet and Betfred who should prove hard to beat in this afternoon's renewal of the six-furlong dash. Gift Horse looked a horse going placed last season when performing a minor miracle to come from an impossible position a furlong out to mow down the luckless Fonthill Road in the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood, getting up in the shadow of the post to beat the latter by a neck. The son of Cadeaux Genereux disappointed on his final start last term, finishing down the pack when among the market leaders for the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock, but that effort is best forgotten as he was clearly well below par. Although the selection has yet to make his mark in Group-race company, he should have little trouble in making the transition. Indeed, the two previous winners of the Stewards' Cup - Pivotal Point and Patavellian - both went onto to Pattern race success after winning that cavalry charge. The cut in the ground will be ideal for Gift Horse, but one that it isn't certain to suit is Barry Hills' Etlaala, who appears better suited by ground riding good or faster. As a son of Selkirk, you wouldn't have thought a bit of juice in the ground would prove a hindirance. However, whenever Etlaala has tackled going softer than good he has failed to run his race, so he looks well worth opposing, despite starting the season in good heart with back-to-back victories. Welsh Emperor is another that has started the current campaign with winning ways. The evergreen seven-year-old, who was third behind The Kiddykid in this race last year, proved that he doesn't have to make the running in his races when finishing strongly to beat River Falcon by two and a half lengths in a well-contested conditions race at Thirsk last time. He merits respect, but the third home at Thirsk, Eisteddfod, should come on a good deal for that pipe-opener and, given his progressive profile last season, I could see him reversing the placings and perhaps emerging as the most potent threat to Gift Horse. On this ground, Somnus would have to enter the equation. The multiple Group 1-winning gelding would pick these up and carry them if you could be sure he was at his best, especially as is unpenalised for those wins at the highest level today. However,he didn't look quite the same horse last season, failing to record a victory in a six-race campaign and, as his effort when fourth in this race last year highlighted, he looks vulnerable to an improver nowadays. Gift Horse's stablemate Moss Vale is capable of going well, as is the admirable veteran Quito, but neithet boast the credentials of the lightly-raced Gift Horse, who looks much the most likely winner. Recommended bet: 1pt win Gift Horse @ 6/1 (Betfred)