Daniel Tudhope: Goodwood beckons after time spent in York winners’ enclosure

I had a thrilling Dante Festival. It’s one of the biggest meetings of the year and to have two winners from 10 rides over the three days was superb. I’d take a 20 per cent strike rate every week.

Having reflected on That Is The Spirit’s victory on the opening day last week. I’m glad that I pointed how good a horse I thought G Force was in advance of his run last Friday. I reckoned he was the one they all had to beat in the Ralph Raper Memorial Stakes – and so it proved. It was a delight to be in Knavesmire’s winner’s enclosure again.

I think G Force could be seen again next month chasing more valuable prize-money at York. The BetBright Charity Sprint which offers £100,000 on Saturday, June 14 could be a target which would be a step up to six furlongs for him. He could also be in the reckoning for a trip south to Royal Ascot, but the big rise in his rating probably precludes a handicap race in Berkshire.

Another horse that is being aimed at the Royal Meeting is Watchable, my sole ride today on the middle day of Goodwood’s May Festival.

He won on his seasonal debut for me at Ayr at the end of last month. He did that with a bit in hand so it was an impressive run. The form of that maiden race over six furlongs has stood up well in recent weeks. He is a nice type of horse and is certain to progress.

Watchable’s big race target is the Wokingham Stakes on the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot and he needs another run to be qualified for that. So it’s off to Goodwood today at 4.35pm.

Saturday sees me across the Pennines at Haydock Park for Betfred Temple Stakes day.

I reckon my best chance during Friday’s and Saturday’s racing will come in the 2.05pm handicap race at Haydock.

My mount is Out Do, who was unlucky in running in the Infinity Tyres Stakes at the Dante Festival. His jockey that day, Kieren Fallon, felt he would have finished further up the field if things had gone his way in a large field of 20 runners.

He has winning form on both turf and the all-weather and I think he will go well tomorrow.

He is coming on to his game and is the second highest-rated horse in the six-furlong contest. A five-year-old now, he too holds an entry in the Wokingham.

A bit later I ride for the first time for trainer Mick Channon in the Betfred-sponsored Silver Bowl on Riverboat Springs, who won on his racecourse debut 12 months ago, but has no victory since.

The major race in Britain tomorrow is the Haydock Park Betfred Temple Stakes sprint at 3.45pm. The Group 2 event is part of the QIPCO British Champions Series. I’m on Smoothtalkinrascal, one of the 10 runners in the five-furlong dash.

It is a hot race and he will have to show his very best form.

He is a nice type of horse though and will be one to follow this season.

He’s up against top notch sprinters like Kingsgate Native and previous Coolmore Nunthorpe winner, Sole Power.

I have won on Smoothtalkinrascal twice, including at the Dante Festival 12 months ago.

Next weekend should see me back at York once again.

The last day of May is the first Saturday fixture of the year on Knavesmire. The two feature races are the listed Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup and the £50,000 BetBright Trophy.

I hope the day goes as well as last week.

The next meeting at York is the May Spring Meeting on Saturday, May 31. Admission ranges from £8 to £37. Under 18s are admitted free of charge. The first race time is 1.50pm, with gates open at 11.15am. More details at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk.