15:15 York

Saturday 29 July 2017

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 2m 10.59s

(8)

Algometer¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mulrennan| T: D M Simcock| OR: 114

4/1

Won at both Listed and Group Three level last year over 1m3f and made a good start in the latter sphere this term when runner-up at Sandown. Probably didn't quite see out 1m4f again at Newmarket in a Group Two last time and is worth another go at this level over this shorter trip. Not ground dependent and has claims.

Form: 1716-23

(6)

Central Square¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 105| D

9/1

Won a maiden and two handicaps over 1m2f last year on good / good to firm ground, though finished 4½L behind Autocratic here in October. Better off by 4lb at the weights/ratings with that rival today, but not in such good form and not sure he has quite got the class to win at this level.

Form: 413-309

(2)

Hathal¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P Cosgrave| T: W J Haggas| OR: 112

4/1

Bookended a year off the track in 2015/16 with wins at Listed and Group Three level over 7f/1m. Had just two runs since the latter, with his latest being in an Ascot Group Two when he didn't get the run of the race. Shaped as though this trip on a flatter track might suit (is a half-brother to a 1m2f winner) and looks a leading player.

Form: 721/18-3

(7)

Mondialiste⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 108| C| D

12/1

Won a Group Three here over 1m1f two seasons ago and was runner-up in this last year when he was officially rated 7lb higher. Still trying to recapture that sort of form and perhaps the return to this trip will help with that, but does need to turn things around on recent evidence.

Form: 40-0646

(3)

Success Days^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Foley| T: K J Condon| OR: 114| D

3/1

Won a 1m2f Group Three at the Curragh last August (yielding) and all of his wins have been with at least some ease underfoot. Went close back at that venue/level last time when beaten just ½L and should be right in the mix in this, with any softening of the ground welcome.

Form: 310-242

(1)

Victory Bond¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Makin| T: W J Haggas| OR: 102| BF| D

4/1

Lightly-raced gelding whose sole success was in a Ripon maiden (1m2f, good to soft) last year. Subsequently found wanting in Group company, but after being gelded he made the frame here in a Listed contest in May and was far from disgraced when a beaten favourite in the John Smith's Cup over C&D last time. Improvement needed today.

Form: 2/164-37

(5)

Elbereth³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 107| D

8/1

Probably outperformed her 33-1 SP when beaten just over 6L into fourth in the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom last month. Has already been runner-up at this level this season, however, and went close over C&D on her only previous visit here. At her best on good or faster ground on turf and has each-way claims.

Form: 3-14240

Non-Runners

(4)

Autocratic⁶⁵

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: Sir Michael Stoute J: Ted Durcan

Forecasts

Autocratic (9/4), Success Days (3/1), Hathal (4/1), Victory Bond (4/1), Algometer (4/1), Elbereth (8/1), Central Square (9/1), Mondialiste (12/1)

HATHAL does not look to have been the easiest to handle so far, but he is still going the right way and his recent Ascot run was better than the bare form suggests. He is well worth a try over this trip on a flat track and gets the vote. Autocratic is very much a danger, though his chance would probably be hindered by any slowing of the ground, which would not be an issue for Algometer. Success Days should be bang there at the business end, while Elbereth should also be in the mix.