Friday York tips: Ross Millar runs you through his undercard selections

Did we see the Derby winner on day two of York's Dante meeting in Desert Crown? He is as short as 3.1 with Smarkets for the Epsom Classic now.

We might lack a bona fide Group 1 performer on the undercard for the final day of racing at York this week, but Ross Millar has provided his selections on Friday.

2.25 York, 7f Oaks Farm Stables Fillies’ Stakes

Grande Dame was visually impressive when she won on debut at Ascot last month. She showed a few signs of greenness in the early stages and again when she was initially asked to quicken, but she got it all together quickly and has unlimited potential. 

However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the runner-up, Mukaddamah, conceded 6lb and was only beaten two lengths. Roger Varian’s filly has an official rating of 89, so I’m keen to oppose the Frankie Dettori-ridden favourite this time.

Perfect News has plenty of experience and consistently performs to her official rating of 100. Her seasonal return came in the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket last month, where she finished a good fourth behind Cachet, who has since gone on to frank that form by landing the 1,000 Guineas. 

She has already shown enough pace to win over six furlongs earlier in her career, so should be able to hold her position in this field, and I expect Tom Marquand to make full use of her experience and stamina over this trip. 

Selection: Perfect News @ 4.8

4.45 York, 7f Yorkshire Equine Practice Handicap

This is a wide-open handicap where many will fancy their chances, but I like Admirality for Roger Fell and Tom Marquand.

He has been raised just 1lb for his narrow Wetherby win, but he was value for further given the way he travelled and that he became unbalanced when he hit a ridge. That victory came against just three rivals, and a large field handicap will be far more suitable.

He’s adaptable in terms of the ground, as proven by his runner-up finish at Thirsk last season on quick ground, and although Roger Fell is without a winner this month, he has only sent out four horses that have been single-figure prices. At a decent each-way price, Admirality can go very close.

Selection: Admirality @ 14.5

5.20 York, 5f Longines Irish Champions Weekend Handicap

As a result of the streamlining undertaken by the Shadwell operation, Owen Burrows is operating with a much reduced string this season. He has only sent out five runners so far this month but his strike-rate sits at an impressive 60%, so it’s easy to see why Meredif has been installed as favourite for this. 

I’m not convinced that his opening mark of 79 is all that generous, though. On his second run at Nottingham he finished in and around horses rated in the low 70s, and although he showed improved form on his final start, the runner-up from that race is rated just 69.

I’ll oppose him with the Karl Burke-trained Korker, who was well backed to get his three-year old career off to a winning start at Sandown in April but missed the break. He raced far too keenly thereafter and was squeezed out at a crucial point, which meant he had to challenge wide on the track.

The winner of that Sandown contest, Live In The Dream, has won again since of an 8lb higher mark and has since been raised an additional 7lb, which suggests that Korker, who finished five lengths behind him when conceding 7lb is still nicely handicapped off a mark of 95.

Selection: Korker @ 7

Recommended bets

Perfect News (2.25 York) @ 4.8
Admirality (4.45 York) @ 14.5
Korker (5.20 York) @ 7