15:00 York

Friday 17 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

Matchbook Yorkshire Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 3m 1.21s

(4)

Stradivarius²⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 120| CD

4/5

Launched a spectacular campaign, culminating in a £1m bonus, when winning this contest from Desert Skyline last year. Sure to have been well prepared for this return to action and should be able to concede weight all round.

Form: 3/11111-

(3)

Aircraft Carrier^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: J Ryan| OR: 100| D

50/1

Plenty of good staying form on the AW, but was well held at Lingfield last month. Huge task against rivals of this quality back on turf.

Form: 411-146

(1)

Desert Skyline^p²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: G Mosse| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 109

20/1

Did little wrong when runner-up to Stradivarius in this race last year, but form tailed off after that. Might be one to catch fresh so lack of a recent run is not a serious concern.

Form: 964458-

(8)

Ispolini^t⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 116| D

7/2

Winner of two 1m6f contests at Meydan before finishing an excellent second to Cross Counter in the Dubai Gold Cup at the same venue. Progressive and may give the favourite most to do.

Form: 44-2112

(7)

Mildenberger¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109| BF

7/1

Talented middle-distance performer who ran well to be third to a stable companion in a Group 2 1m4f contest at Newmarket earlier this month. Shapes as though this longer trip will suit, but has a bit to find.

Form: 13/12-73

(2)

Mootasadir⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 104

16/1

Winner of his last four starts on the AW, showing a high level of form. Stiff task on return to turf, but hard to know how good he is so not one to rule out completely.

Form: 4511-11

(6)

Sevenna Star^t²²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J Ryan| OR: 105WS

50/1

Former stable companion of Stradivarius who beat Ispolini in a Group 3 contest at Sandown last spring. Failed to build on that in subsequent runs and needs to take a huge step forward on seasonal reappearance and first run for a new stable.

Form: 3/11077-

(5)

Southern France¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| BF

11/2

Third to stable companion Kew Gardens in last year's St Leger. That display alone entitles him to respect and he should be sharper for his recent third in a Group 3 contest at Navan.

Form: 12437-3

Forecasts

Stradivarius (4/5), Ispolini (7/2), Southern France (11/2), Mildenberger (7/1), Mootasadir (16/1), Desert Skyline (20/1), Sevenna Star (50/1), Aircraft Carrier (50/1)

A race which revolves around star stayer STRADIVARIUS. This trip may be as short as he would want, but his class and will to win should pull him through. The progressive Ispolini can chase him home, while Southern France may secure minor honours. Mootasadir is interesting reverting to turf.