Last Updated on 13/05/2026 by Andy Clark
The ITV Racing cameras continue to roll on Thursday with the second day of action on the Knavesmire at York, featuring five live races including the Group 2 Dante Stakes which could provide a pointer towards the Epsom Derby.
Completing the afternoon’s broadcast is Salisbury, which chips in with a competitive handicap, bringing the total to six live TV races for Thursday’s ITV Racing coverage.
Thursday ITV Racing Schedule
| Time | Course | Race |
|---|---|---|
| 2:20 | York | Lindum York Handicap (Class 2) 5f |
| 2:40 | Salisbury | Al Basti Equiworld “City Bowl” Handicap (Class 3) 1m6f |
| 2:55 | York | Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap (Class 2) 1m |
| 3:30 | York | Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2) 1m2½f |
| 4:05 | York | Dante Stakes (Group 2) 1m2½f |
| 4:40 | York | Westow Stakes (Listed) 5f |
2:20 York — Lindum York Handicap (Class 2) 5f
Tip: AIR FORCE ONE
Air Force One might prove the answer to a very tricky opening puzzle. The Starspangledbanner gelding arrives in form, having won at Beverley last month, and Geoff Oldroyd’s charge can remain competitive despite a small rise in the weights.
A winner over course and distance last July, he has a good record at this venue, following up that victory with placed efforts — both over C&D — where he was beaten less than one length in each. He did go off the boil somewhat thereafter, disappointing at Doncaster in the Portland and twice on the all-weather, but he bounced back latest with a comfortable success despite the narrow margin of victory.
That runner-up won next time out, and Air Force One is only up 2lbs for his victory, which may not prove too prohibitive given he’s a relatively low-mileage five-year-old.
2:40 Salisbury — Al Basti Equiworld “City Bowl” Handicap (Class 3) 1m6f
Tip: TRYFAN (E/W)
Tryfan has been given a chance by the handicapper on his return to turf, and it might be worth chancing the Nathaniel gelding, who has a course and distance win to his name.
Harry Charlton’s charge struck here last May before going close in the Northumberland Vase, and after a couple of lesser runs he resumed winning ways off this mark at Southwell in September, beating Road To Wembley. His form over the winter was a little hit-or-miss — twice finishing in the frame but also twice running poorly, including latest behind Berkshire Sundance in April when he beat only one home.
He wore headgear that day, which is quickly dispensed with, and back on turf, he’s been dropped in the weights back to his last winning mark. He should find this a little easier than his last assignment, and if the return to grass and this venue (where he’s won before) spark some zest, then he could go well under Hector Crouch, who has a good record partnering the five-year-old.
2:55 York — Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap (Class 2) 1m
Tip: FIRST PRINCIPLE (E/W)
First Principle shaped as if possibly amiss when disappointing in the All-Weather Mile last month, but William Haggas’ charge had won the time before and might be worth chancing to bounce back.
The Kingman gelding is unexposed on turf, winning at Windsor last August before finding ten furlongs too far next time at Doncaster. He had been in form on the all-weather, winning twice and finishing runner-up twice before his lesser show last time, but there could still be better to come from him returning to turf.
Ryan Moore comes in for the ride on the Haggas runner, and the pair have a good record when combining, so it’s certainly an eye-catching booking, and a big run wouldn’t come as a surprise here.
3:30 York — Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2) 1m2½f
Tip: FALLEN ANGEL
There’s a chance Fallen Angel will need this, and she has to give away weight to a smart field of rivals. However, Karl Burke’s charge could prove a cut above this field if fully fit.
The Too Darn Hot mare won three times last term — all at Group One level — including a ready defeat of Blue Bolt in the Sun Chariot Stakes, although she did disappoint at Ascot on her final start of the campaign in the QEII Stakes. That run may have come too soon, just two weeks on from her Newmarket victory, so she can be forgiven that lesser effort.
She remains capable of better, and this longer trip is a possible source of improvement. She tackled this yardage once before, finishing fourth in the 2024 Prix de l’Opera, and she can make a winning reappearance if her fitness cuts the mustard.
4:05 York — Dante Stakes (Group 2) 1m2½f
Tip: MORSHDI
Morshdi looked a horse on the up when winning the Feilden at Newmarket on his reappearance, and William Haggas’ charge can double up here, having missed the race at Chester last week.
The Dubawi colt looked a potentially smart sort last term, finishing second to Esna on debut and then winning a maiden contest over one mile here at York, beating Arabian Desert. He returned from six months off to tackle a slightly longer trip at Newmarket last month and, despite looking inconvenienced by the dip there, he held too many guns for Poseidon’s Warrior.
This extra furlong could unlock even more improvement, and he’s proven himself on this ground in the past. While the form of that Newmarket win has taken a knock, he’s unexposed and could have more to offer — especially over the longer distance — while proven course form is always a positive in a race that often produces an Epsom Derby pointer.
4:40 York — Westow Stakes (Listed) 5f
Tip: ASPECT ISLAND
Aspect Island is clear of this field on ratings, and James Owen’s charge can resume winning ways here in the TV closer.
The Showcasing colt was progressive last term, winning at Yarmouth over six furlongs but proving this trip no issue next time with a close third to Beckford’s Folly in the Cornwallis Stakes, beaten less than one length. That effort was followed up by a solid third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint, and he possibly needed his return in the Abernant Stakes last month, although he was only beaten by around two lengths.
He’ll strip much fitter now, and with a return to five furlongs no issue, he ought to make his presence felt.
Thursday ITV Racing Tips Summary
| Time | Course | Selection | Bet Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:20 | York | Air Force One | Win |
| 2:40 | Salisbury | Tryfan | Each-Way |
| 2:55 | York | First Principle | Each-Way |
| 3:30 | York | Fallen Angel | Win |
| 4:05 | York | Morshdi | Win |
| 4:40 | York | Aspect Island | Win |
Where to Bet on Thursday’s ITV Racing
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Brian joined the team a couple of years ago but he has a long background in writing horse racing content and betting tips. Having worked for a number of publications in the past, such as RacingTips, Brian made the move to thatsagoal and is the main content writer across flat and National Hunt racing.