15:00 York

Saturday 16 June 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:15

Sky Bet Grand Cup Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 2m 54.92s

(6)

Duretto³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: G Lee| T: A M Balding| OR: 109

18/1

Group 3 winner in 2016 and winner of a Listed race last year. Rounded off 2017 with an excellent fifth in the stayers race on Champions Day, but his comeback run was somewhat underwhelming.

Form: 51/315-5

(2)

Algometer²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: S Donohoe| T: D M Simcock| OR: 109

33/1

Improved for his first run last year but it was considerably better than he produced at Goodwood last month. Yet to win beyond 1m3f but has Group form that makes him dangerous to overlook.

Form: 16/237-6

(5)

Clever Cookie^p²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: P D Niven| OR: 103| CD

28/1

Won this in 2014 and 2015 but only beat one home 12 months ago. Not the force he was and the rain he would need also benefits others with stronger claims.

Form: 46-7366

(8)

Duke Of Bronte²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: B R Millman| OR: 104

14/1

Useful handicapper who is no stranger to springing a surprise. Needs to step up but could benefit if this turns messy.

Form: 132-103

(1)

Marmelo²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: H Morrison| OR: 114

11/8

Group 2 winner who beat Prix Vermeille winner Bateel last year. Looks the standout candidate on form but yet to race on ground as quick as forecast.

Form: 15219-2

(3)

Time To Study^b1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| D

8/1

Not far off the standard to win at Listed level and has only ½L to find with Weekender on Sandown form. Both are likely to improve for the drop to 1m6f and the fitting of blinkers may narrow the gap.

Form: 01-2254

(7)

Weekender²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114| BF| D

2/1

Appeared not to stay 2m last time but impressive at Chelmsford prior to that. First past the post in Listed company at Ascot last autumn, having had a good battle with Raheen House, and that form makes him a legitimate force.

Form: 312D-13

(4)

Melodic Motion²²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M Beckett| OR: 102| BF

10/1

Park Hill runner-up when not quite seeing out this trip in a strongly run race on soft ground. There are good races to be won with her this year but she is conceding a fitness advantage to more highly rated rivals.

Form: 111322-

Forecasts

Marmelo (11/8), Weekender (2/1), Time To Study (8/1), Melodic Motion (10/1), Duke Of Bronte (14/1), Duretto (18/1), Clever Cookie (28/1), Algometer (33/1)

MARMELO and Weekender are the two prime contenders on form and official ratings. The former is preferred purely on the forecast for rain on Saturday which would remove the biggest doubt about him. Time To Study has each-way claims back at this trip and Melodic Motion is feared in receipt of the fillies allowance should she arrive on top of her game.