Can O'Meara enjoy another big day at York with Tammani and Orbaan?

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap | 4yo+ | 7f | RTV

If you were asked to name the trainers who excel at York then David O'Meara would be towards the head of the list and he won this race three years in a row from 2013-15 with Smarty Socks, Alejandro and Regal Dan.

O'Meara has had 15 runners in this in the last ten years though and only one other was placed, so it's probably foolish to think it's a benefit race for the Upper Helmsley trainer.

This year he saddles two of the favourites in the shape of Tammani and Orbaan and jockey bookings don't give much of a clue as to who is best fancied.

James Doyle rode Tammani last time and keeps the mount, while the trainer's regular jockey Danny Tudhope is back on Orbaan for the fourth time.

Orbaan was given too much to do when flying home from the rear at Epsom last week under Andrea Atzeni and the switch to Tudhope, who knows him better, could work the oracle.

Richard Fahey is the other trainer with a good recent record. He has saddled two of the last three winners and relies only on Cisco Disco.

He was trained by Jack Davison in Ireland until May and made a lacklustre debut for Fahey, but Oisin Orr rode Cisco Disco regularly before the move and is an eyecatching booking. He is 3-18 [17 per cent] for the stable.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Michael Dods, trainer of Northern Express, Woven & Queen's Sargent
Northern Express is in good form, but he just needs a fast pace to aim at. Queen's Sargent is a soft-ground horse. He'll run but I'm not sure if Woven will go if it dries up.

David O'Meara, trainer of Orbaan & Tammani
Orbaan ran a nice race at Epsom. He does appreciate any ease in the ground so it would be a concern if York dries out. Tammani was unlucky not to have been a lot closer at York, he got into a bit of traffic late on. He seems in good form and I'm looking forward to running him.

Karl Burke, trainer of Wizard D'Amour
He's a good seven-furlong horse. He has a lot of ability and I don't think the handicapper has caught him if he puts his best foot forward.

Ray Bailey, owner of Poet's Magic
She has a chance. She wintered well and she was in need of the run last time. She's certainly come on for that, she has a good draw and Jason Hart knows her inside out.

Steph Hollinshead, trainer of Royal Musketeer
We gelded him, he had a winter in the field and he's matured mentally. He's really come forward for being gelded and I think there could be a little bit more in the tank. He's a lovely big horse and I think he might well improve.
Reporting by David Carr

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