Wednesday's G2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics S. at York sees the comeback of last year's G1 Haydock Sprint Cup winner Twilight Son (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), who would be unbeaten were it not for meeting 2015's outstanding sprinter Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Beaten two lengths when runner-up to Shadwell's category leader in Ascot's G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S. in October, Godfrey Wilson and Cheveley Park Stud's 4-year-old is forced to carry a five-pound penalty, which trainer Henry Candy concedes will make life tough. “He has done very, very well through the winter–probably too well,” he said. “He might need his first run and giving five pounds to some of these, I would think might prove too much for him. But he is in need of a run and loves York, so it's a great place to start. He doesn't show a lot in his work, he is quite lazy. But I think once he has got a race under his belt and he's back on level terms and not giving weight away, hopefully we will have some fun. He is one who does like to get his toe in a little bit, so I would prefer a bit of give in the ground.”
Beaten on three occasions by Twilight Son, in handicaps at Newmarket and York and when 3/4 of a length away when third in the Haydock Sprint Cup, Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds's Magical Memory (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) not only has the weight turnaround with that rival this time but also a fitness edge, having won the Listed Abernant S. over this trip at Newmarket Apr. 14. “He worked very well last week and [trainer] Charlie [Hills] feels he's improved from his last run,” the syndicate's racing manager Sam Hoskins commented. “He's an immensely exciting horse. There was a doubt before his last run about the ground etc, but there are no excuses this time. We've met Twilight Son three times before and he's beaten us every time, but this time we've got a run under our belt and we get five pounds from him, so I'd be very hopeful he'd get pretty close to him. There are lots of others in there we've got lots of respect for, but Magical Memory is the one to beat, I think. It's the Diamond Jubilee after this, all being well.”
Others who could capitalise on Twilight Son's unfavourable terms are the G3 Bengough S. winner Eastern Impact (Ire) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), who was third when Danzeno (GB) (Denounce {GB}) was fifth in Newmarket's G1 July Cup last term, while Aidan O'Brien keeps faith in the Apr. 3 G3 Gladness S. sixth Dick Whittington (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}). That run was his first since finishing fourth behind Muhaarar in Newbury's G3 Greenham S. over seven furlongs 12 months ago, and Michael Tabor's 2014 G3 2014 Anglesey S. and G1 Phoenix S. winner is likely to appreciate this test more than that seven-furlong slog on The Curragh's heavy ground.
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