15:00 York

Wednesday 22 August 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:50

Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 28.34s

(8)

Kew Gardens³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| D

7/2

Very impressive when landing the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and followed up in a French Group 1 when last seen. This is a tough ask under a 5lb penalty though and he may be seen at his very best when stepped back up to 1m6f.

Form: 1-32911

(7)

Old Persian⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 110| D

7/1

Improving sort who landed a Group 2 at Royal Ascot before a fair sixth in the Irish Derby (very keen early in the contest). Still more to come from him at this trip but has a 3lb penalty to carry for his Group 2 win and Buick prefers Cross Counter.

Form: 7-12116

(4)

Cross Counter¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 115| D

6/4

Impressive when landing a Goodwood Group 3 last time and improving with each run this year, though the form of his latest effort doesn't look to be anything special. Can't be ruled out with more improvement to come and he's the yard's first string.

Form: 1-12411

(6)

M C Muldoon⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: C Soumillon| T: P W Chapple-Hyam

40/1

Impressive winner on soft ground at Nottingham on debut and only narrowly denied in Listed class at Longchamp last time. More needed here up in trip and the way he's been campaigned suggests he might need soft ground.

Form: 12

(9)

Nelson³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107

33/1

Highly progressive as a two-year-old and kicked off this campaign in promising fashion when landing a Group 3 at Leopardstown. Hasn't progressed in three starts since though and may be in here to ensure a strong gallop for his stablemate.

Form: 12-1635

(1)

Sevenna Star^t1⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107

14/1

Promise in two juvenile runs and returned with an easy win at Windsor in April. Took his form to a new level when winning a Sandown Group 3 and while he may have found the Derby coming too soon, he's been given a break and may be capable of better.

Form: 23-110

(2)

The Pentagon⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108

12/1

Exciting prospect as a juvenile and ran well when third in the Racing Post Trophy. Hasn't managed to find that level of form this year but ran on well from the back in the Irish Derby last time and he may be able to get back on track here.

Form: 13-3385

(3)

Wells Farhh Go⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 112| C

9/2

Impressive when winning a Group 3 at this meeting last year and returned to form with a fine Group 3 win at Newmarket last time. That form looks solid and while he may be seen at his best over further with cut in the ground, he can't be ruled out.

Form: 11-661

(5)

Zabriskie⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Fran Berry| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

50/1

Just a maiden win to his name on heavy ground. Ran with credit when third in the Dante but tailed off in the Derby last time and has a bit to prove at present. Down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 018-630

Forecasts

Cross Counter (6/4), Kew Gardens (7/2), Wells Farhh Go (9/2), Old Persian (7/1), The Pentagon (12/1), Sevenna Star (14/1), Nelson (33/1), M C Muldoon (40/1), Zabriskie (50/1)

Godolphin and Coolmore both hold a strong hand in this contest with CROSS COUNTER taken to back up an impressive Goodwood success up in class here and he's the preference of stable jockey William Buick. There's no shortage of dangers in the line-up and while stablemate Old Persian was too keen in the Irish Derby last time, he's capable of better if he can get some cover here. The Pentagon ran well in that race and may be able to build on that but Ryan Moore prefers Kew Gardens who arrives on the back of two Group wins. Wells Farhh Go won over 7f at this meeting last year and should go well again after a Newmarket success last time out.