Marvelman caps a fine 48 hours for Oisin Murphy

Sky Bet City Of York Stakes antepost betting preview and tip

Horse Racing

Thu August 06, 2026 · 4w ago

Nic Doggett takes a long-range look at the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes and fancies Andrew Balding to pick up yet another Group 1.

The elevation of the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes to Group 1 level last season resulted in what those involved would have hoped for: a 115-rated winner, Never So Brave, who was rated 7lb superior to the previous year's victor Breege, and a field that included a smattering of previous winners at the highest level, including the first two from the Sussex Stakes; Qirat and Rosallion.

There were no excuses for the last-named, with Quinault and Audience setting strong fractions, as shown both in the sectional timings and their final finishing positions; last and second-last.

This year's list of entries includes the 125-rated Lockinge winner Notable Speech, who could bid to reverse the Queen Anne form with the 121-rated Ten Bob Tony who has since run well in defeat in the Sussex Stakes (in which the 118-rated Zavateri shaped well in a staying-on fifth). All three horses would be dropping in distance; on quick ground, you'd suspect that Notable Speech would be the most likely to be suited by that.

Ten Bob Tony causes a 50/1 shock in the Queen Anne

Ten Bob Tony caused a 50/1 shock in the Queen Anne

With a rating of 119 and a book of top-quality six-furlong form as long as your arm, the Japanese sprinter Satono Reve would be an intriguing contender, while Lake Forest has a BHA rating of 118 following two performances at Goodwood (won the Lennox then was an unlucky seventh in the Sussex just 24 hours later) that further enhanced his reputation as a changed animal following a winter gelding operation.

But that's enough about ratings – it looks likely to be a strong renewal, which is only to be expected given the race is now worth over six times what it was when last run as a listed race in 2015.

It's easy to see why Notable Speech is currently favourite. The speed-favouring nature of York should suit more than the straight mile of Ascot, and he loves quick ground, but he will need to bounce back if taking up this entry rather than heading to the Prix Jacques le Marois.

Lake Forest didn't get quite as much rub of the green as winner Never So Brave when runner-up in this 12 months ago, with a move off the bend from winning jockey Oisin Murphy proving the difference. If you're price-based, then you could make a case to say that Never So Brave is the value given he was ahead of Lake Forest in the Sussex, but that doesn't tell the full story.

Lake Forest is on top in the Lennox Stakes

Looking at the entries as a whole, what struck me was a potential lack of pace. As I mentioned, last year's race was run at a breakneck pace, which suited the hold-up horses, but in general the Knavesmire can favour those ridden more prominently, especially on quick ground.

Though Qirat and Power Blue could go forward along with Thesecretadversary, who looks a big player, I think it will pay to have a horse who tends to race prominently with a turn of foot, and MARVELMAN fits the bill judging by his performance when winning the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster last September.

He understandably failed to make an impression in the QEII on his next start – his first attempt at a mile – and he then put a modest effort in the desert behind him when second to the lightly-raced Paborus in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle in June.

Conceding 5 lb to the progressive winner, who looks a live contender for this race, he was allowed to stride on with purpose over six furlongs and was just beaten by the better, quicker horse on the day.

Unfortunately, he was much too keen (when trying to be reined back by PJ McDonald) in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last time, and, as a result, has nearly five lengths to find on both winner Lake Forest and runner-up Rogue Diplomat (who should relish the long straight here).

However, I think he's a much better horse when not being fought, and he should be in the perfect position on this flat track to produce a career-best effort.

Andrew Balding could end up with a very strong team for this race, with Oak Tree Stakes winner Flora Of Bermuda reportedly set to run, but I think Marvelman is the best bet of his trio despite being the biggest price. He's 25/1 in a couple of places, and a general 20s elsewhere.

He has an entry in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury a week earlier – a race he was third in last year – but he wasn't owned by the Bonds at that point, and having runners at this meeting has always been important for the Pocklington family.

Preview posted at 12:15 BST on 06/08/2026

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