2023 Duke Of York Stakes Tips
The opening day of York's famous Dante Meeting is headlined by the Duke Of York Clipper Stakes. This Group Two first took place on the Knavesmire in 1958 and top sprinters like Boldboy, Pipalong and Invincible Spirit feature on the roll of honour.
Here's our free guide to the 2023 Duke Of York Stakes and our best betting tips.
2023 Duke Of York Stakes Odds
2023 Duke Of York Stakes Runners
Topping the market is last year's winner Highfield Princess, who went on to win three Group Ones following her easy victory here at York. John Quinn's mare has needed the run in each of her past two seasons and I'm sure Quinn has an eye on races like the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, the July Cup and the Nunthorpe later in the season.
Creative Force will be turned out quickly, following an easy conditions stakes victory at Haydock on Saturday. Charlie Appleby's colt placed in all of the big Group Ones last season and looked just as good as ever when winning last weekend.
Ryan Moore rides Aussie raider The Astrologist, who has only managed to win at Group Three level on home soil, but does travel to the UK on the back of a narrow defeat in the Al Quoz Sprint last time out. Karl Burke's Marshman will represent the three-year-old generation and could head on to the Commonwealth Cup following an outing in Wednesday's feature.
Azure Blue jumps up to Group Two company, following back-to-back Listed victories at Newmarket. Emaraaty Ana is respected on his reappearance, as is all-weather king Diligent Harry, despite his uninspiring record on turf.
Course-winner Art Power will represent Tim Easterby and David Allen. Annaf and Khaadem round off the field.
2023 Duke Of York Stakes Tips
Given how fair a track York is, and that we have pace drawn evenly across the course, I doubt the draw will have too much of an impact on Wednesday's feature. There's a strong chance that Highfield Princess could be in need of this first outing of the season and I'm happy to take on The Astrologist too, as he makes his first outing on British soil.
Creative Force has two runs under his belt already this season and William Buick's mount is more than capable of winning at Group Two level. At a longer price, MARSHMAN appealsfollowing an impressive comeback run at Chantilly and Karl Burke's star could become the first three-year-old to win this race since Sampower Star scored in 1999.
Burke's star made an explosive start to his juvenile campaign last season, winning easily at Ayr and Thirsk, before following Noble Style home in the Gimcrack here at York. Marshman was then backed into favouritism for the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, but Clifford Lee's mount was too free in the early stages and hung badly to his right coming out of the dip.
Despite jinking left coming out of the stalls, Marshman got to the front early in the Prix Sigy on his reappearance and proceeded to dominate the race, comfortably holding 107-rated Wodao on the run to the line. That was the best Marshman has settled during his career so far and, with that handy three-year-old allowance on his side, I could see Burke's rising star taking another step forwards on Wednesday afternoon.
