TRAINER Kevin Ryan is looking forward to running smart speedster Brando at York in  Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes, next Wednesday.
 
Ryan has a fine record in the six-furlong Group 2 contest, having won it with Tiddlywinks in 2012 and Amadeus Wolf in 2007.
 
Owned by Mrs Angie Bailey, Brando got his 2018 campaign off to the best possible start with an authoritative success in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting.
 
A return to York – where he has twice come second but is yet to win – was named as the six-year-old’s next assignment following that victory.
 
He has since pleased Yorkshire-based Ryan who always looks to bring a strong team to York’s major meetings.
 
Ryan, who trains in Hambleton, some thirty miles from the track, said: “Brando is in great form.
 
“We were very pleased with his return at Newmarket. It was a great start to the season and hopefully he can go on.
 
“He has been training well and we are very happy with him.”
 
Brando, who won the Prix Maurice de Gheest in Deauville last August, is one of five individual Group 1 winners entered in the £125,000 Group 2 prize.
 
Darley July Cup and Haydock Sprint Cup hero, Harry Angel, heads a potential full field of twenty, that also includes The Tin Man, Sioux Nation and Limato, as previous top-level winners.
 
Ryan added: “It’s great to be back racing at York.
 
“It’s up there with the best tracks and this is a meeting we want to be at. We aim to take our best horses there.”
 
The middle distance highlight of the opening day on the Knavesmire  is the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, worth £100,000. Fourteen fillies have been entered in this notable Investec Oaks trial including a quintet trained by Aidan O’Brien in County Tipperary.
 
The seven-race card gets underway at 2:20pm with the Sky Bet Jorvik Handicap. The three-day Festival runs until Friday 18 May.

Full list of entries for the Group 2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes to be run on Wednesday 16 May;

Artistica, Brando, Declarationofpeace, Donjuan Triumphant, Dream of Dreams, Fleet Review, Gifted Master, Harry Angel, Intelligence Cross, Limato, Magical Memory, Murillo, Ornate, Perfect Pasture, Sioux Nation, Sir Dancealot, Spirit of Valor, Tasleet, The Tin Man, Washington DC