Tasleet backed to spring surprise in Duke of York

TASLEET may not be the most obvious choice in the Group Two Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes but he can raise an eyebrow or two with victory at York, writes The Ferret.

The four-year-old may be an unknown quantity in a field packed with proven speedsters, but now he is through that different Classic season, Tasleet may be ready to shine.

As a juvenile he looked a likely sprinting type, winning the Rose Bowl as Newbury and a big six-furlong sales event at York as well as being beaten under three lengths by two-year-old sensation Shalaa, which was an excellent effort.

It made sense for connections to try to shape him into a Classic runner last year and while he won the Greenham, that really was a weak event held on the Chelmsford all-weather due to ground issues at Newbury.

Tasleet sustained an injury following that success and was then off the track until finishing down the field in the Challenge Stakes last autumn when he did not really convince over seven furlongs.

That comment also applied on his return when second in a Leicester Listed heat, a race William Haggas had not initially planned to tackle with the Abernant his first intended port of call.

Tasleet’s entries so far for this year are all for sprint events, so one must assume he has been showing plenty of speed at home and he looks worth a shout at double-figure odds SHUTTER SPEED is unlikely to be much of a price for the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes but it is hard to look past her in what seems a bit of a disappointing field for this prestigious prize.

John Gosden loves to run his good fillies in this race, winning four of the last six renewals, and Shutter Speed certainly fits the bill.

Winner of her only start as a juvenile, she returned to action at Newbury last month to win a conditions event in fine style, with stablemate and subsequent Cheshire Oaks victor Enable back in third.

Connections appear to favour Enable for Epsom at this point and, while they harbour some doubts about Shutter Speed’s ability to stay 12 furlongs, this mile and a quarter trip holds no fears.

LOVELL can make a victorious return from a long lay off in the Sky Bet First Race Special Handicap.

This Dubawi colt cost 725,000 guineas as a yearling but has not really had chance to justify that price tag yet with only five starts to his name.

His most notable bit of form to date probably came when chasing home Stormy Antarctic as a youngster and after a promising start to his three-yearold campaign, he did not race again after finishing down the field at Royal Ascot.

Something was clearly amiss and after being given an adequate recovery time, Lovell is worth watching on his return.

MUNTADAB has been only narrowly beaten in two starts this term but he can enjoy his moment in the sun in the Infinity Tyres Handicap. SELECTIONS: PERTH: 6.05 Just Before Dawn, 6.35 Welcome Ben, 7.05 A Montmartre, 7.35 Vesuvhill, 8.05 Final Fling, 8.35 Dubai Devils, 9.05 Molten Brown.

YORK: 2.20 Lovell, 2.55 Muntadab, 3.30 TASLEET (NAP), 4.05 Shutter Speed, 4.35 Harbour Grey, 5.05 Palmer, 5.35 Samtu.

DOUBLE: Tasleet and Shutter Speed.

Tasleet, under Paul Hanagan, on his way to victory in the Greenham at Chelmsford.

William Haggas: must be impressed by Tasleet’s speed at home.