15:30 York

Friday 18 May 2018

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:0517:40

MansionBet Yorkshire Cup (Group 2) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 2m 55.15s

(8)

Desert Skyline^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 112

10/1

2m2f winner in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup last year and returned with a respectable effort at Ascot last time. His better efforts have come with more cut in the ground than what is likely here though and has to concede weight to all.

Form: 23219-3

(2)

Call To Mind²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: W J Haggas| OR: 107| D

10/1

Shaped like he would come on for the run when a fair fourth of six at Newbury and form of that race has been franked by the winner landing a Group 2 since and the runner-up running well in defeat. Interesting runner for last year's winning owner.

Form: 36312-4

(3)

Clever Cookie^p¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: P D Niven| OR: 105| CD

40/1

Won this in 2016 but seemingly not the force of old at present and hasn't won since. Would want softer ground to be threat.

Form: 646-736

(7)

Count Octave¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 110

8/1

Placed twice in Group 2 company last year before a respectable effort in the St Leger. Returned this year with an AW win but he was a shade disappointing at Newmarket last time and needs to bounce back.

Form: 5226-13

(6)

Max Dynamite²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 112| C

7/1

A Group 2 winner here in 2015 and useful over hurdles, though has been out of form in that sphere lately. A repeat of his placed effort in the Melbourne Cup in November would see him go close here and may be significant he's the pick of Ryan Moore.

Form: 230/136-

(4)

On To Victory^h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 108| D

20/1

A three-time winner last year and not beaten far in Listed company last time but has plenty more on his plate here and would probably prefer some cut in the ground.

Form: 32414-2

(5)

Stradivarius²⁰⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| D

4/6

High-class colt. Followed a Group 2 win at Royal Ascot with a win in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup. Only narrowly beaten in the St Leger before finishing 1L behind multiple Group 1 winner Order Of St George on Champions' Day; he's the to beat.

Form: 121133-

(1)

Wicklow Brave²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: W P Mullins| OR: 113| D

12/1

Irish St Leger winner in 2016 but in receipt of a good ride that day and not won on the Flat since. In good form over hurdles of late and not without place claims but first-string likely to be Max Dynamite.

Form: 424440-

Forecasts

Stradivarius (4/6), Max Dynamite (7/1), Count Octave (8/1), Desert Skyline (10/1), Call To Mind (10/1), Wicklow Brave (12/1), On To Victory (20/1), Clever Cookie (40/1)

STRADIVARIUS is hard to oppose back down in class here and provided he's ready for this on return to action, others will need to improve markedly to land a blow. Max Dynamite is proven at this level and has been running well on the Flat oversees this winter while Call To Mind and Wicklow Brave both have place chances.