YOMALO AMONG 27 FOR SKY BET DASH - Stoute's Best Alibi confirmed for Sky Bet York Stakes
A cracking 27-strong entry has been received for the £50,000 Sky Bet Dash, a heritage handicap run over six furlongs at York on Saturday, July 29.
Last year's renewal fell to the Barry Hills-trained La Cucaracha, subsequent winner of the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at the same track, and Newmarket trainer Rae Guest is hoping that his progressive mare Yomalo can follow in her footsteps and land the valuable prize.
The six-year-old has been in tremendous form this season, landing the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes at Leopardstown on June 7, her first success at Group level, and followed an excellent fifth in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot with a close fourth behind La Chunga in the Group Three Cuisine De France Summer Stakes over six furlongs at York on July 14, conceding weight all round.
Guest said this morning: "She's very well and all being well she'll run at the weekend. She's also in at Ascot over five furlongs but she's probably better at six furlongs. I need to talk to the owners and see about jockey availability.
"I was very happy with her last run - if you take the weight issue into account, where she gave 8lb to both La Chunga and Donna Blini [a winner since], she's bang up there with any of them."
The daughter of Woodborough is the second highest rated in the line-up for Saturday's sprint, but her trainer is not unduly alarmed by the prospect of having to give weight away to the other runners.
Guest continued: "Last time she had top weight in a Group Three race so I don't think the weight will worry her. The faster the ground the better for her and we're looking for a quick surface.
"Some sprinters improve with age and she is definitely showing her best form this year. Towards the end of last year she really started to come to herself, and this year she's continued to progress and is in great form.
"She is a marvellous filly and she's not doing anything wrong at the moment. If she runs up to her recent standard she'll run a big race."
The betting for the Sky Bet Dash is headed by Richard Fahey's pair Wyatt Earp and Knot In Wood and the John Quinn-trained Fantasy Believer on 7/1, while Machinist is the shortest priced of David Nicholls' four entries on the 9/1 mark.
Meanwhile, Sir Michael Stoute revealed today that Best Alibi will take in the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday. The trainer is targeting the £100,000 York prize over an extended 10 furlongs with the son of King's Best, last seen running an excellent third to Dylan Thomas in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on July 2.
Stoute said this morning: "The horse is well and this is the right type of race for him after the Irish Derby. I'm hoping that Ryan Moore will be able to ride him on Saturday."
Sky Bet Dash prices from Sky Bet: 7/1 Knot In Wood, Wyatt Earp, Fantasy Believer 9/1 Machinist, 10/1 Blue Tomato, Ice Planet, Steel Blue, Yomalo, 12/1 My Gacho, Bo McGinty, Desperate Dan, Fonthill Road, 14/1 Munaddam, 16/1 Rising Shadow, Talbot Avenue, Bond Boy, Dazzling Bay, 18/1 Highland Warrior, 20/1 Bahamian Pirate, Obe Gold, Continent, 25/1 Glencairn Star, Josh, Kings Gait, Pacific Pride, The Kiddykid, Crocodile Bay
Each-Way: 1/4 the odds a place 1, 2, 3, 4
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