Wootton Bassett looks spot on for French 2000 Guineas

I suffered from a little bit of ‘seconditis’ with three runners-ups on Wednesday, but I have some good prospects this afternoon.

I rate the filly that I’m on aboard in the opener at 1.30pm to be my best ride of the three days.

Miss Work Of Art is unbeaten in her two starts to date, at Lingfield Park and Ascot.

Like the colts’ race on Wednesday, the Langleys Solicitors EBF Shirocco Fillies’ Stakes looks like being one of the hardest two-year-old races so far this season, but she’s done really well since she turned over a Richard Hannon-trained hot pot at Ascot last time.

Tepmokea has winning form at Knavesmire, and runs first time out in the sportingbet.com Jorvik Stakes at 2pm.

Mr Optimistic won on his seasonal debut at Haydock Park last month and now goes for the Ralph Raper Memorial Stakes at 3.35pm.

I reckon he has a good chance. He’s a keen gelding, so the quicker the field goes the better it will be for him.

I was disappointed with Irish Heartbeat’s run in The Lincoln in March, but I’m sure he’ll be better when he drops back to six furlongs for the Sportingbet.com Handicap at 4.10pm. He has a very good chance indeed.

While the Dante Festival concludes this afternoon, it’s just the start of a very busy weekend for myself.

I dash up the A1 for a couple of rides at Newcastle this evening, before a double-header at Newmarket and Doncaster tomorrow.

Although it’s a hot race, my best chance tomorrow comes with Cosmic Sun in the Eddie Stobart Stakes at 2.50pm at Headquarters.

He won the Rosebery Stakes six weeks ago at Kempton Park very well for me on the all-weather surface.

Back on turf again, I expect a big run from him.

Sunday morning sees me jumping on a plane for Paris for the French 2000 Guineas.

Wootton Bassett was going great guns at home again this week ahead of Sunday’s tilt at the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp.

He’s spot on for the race. Nothing is getting near him on the gallops. The forecast is for a dry weekend in Paris, but that’s not a concern. He’ll run fine on any surface.

The 2011 Dante Festival concludes at York Racecourse this afternoon. Admission to the Course Enclosure, Grandstand & Paddock and County Stand ranges from £5 to £30. The first race time is 1.30pm. Gates open at 11.15am.

The next fixture at York Racecourse is on Saturday, May 21 when the races include the Listed Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup, which means it will be won by a horse of real quality. Last year’s winner, Tactic, went on to win a Group 3 in Ireland. The first race is at 2.05pm. Admission ranges from £7 to £34, with accompanied Under-16s entering free of charge. Further details can be found at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk