Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 2m 12.47s

(1)

Forest Ranger⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 112| D

16/1

Won Chester's Group Two Huxley Stakes for the second year running latest when beating the prolific Matterhorn with Addeybb fourth. Only fifth in this last year under the same penalty incurred here and the task is as tough today.

Form: 552-721

(5)

Addeybb^p³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 114| D

11/8

Group Two winner last season was behind Forest Ranger on return at Chester before returning to form to beat the useful mare Magic Wand in a Royal Ascot Listed race latest. Does appreciate some give underfoot so will hope for showers.

Form: 1803-41

(3)

Elarqam²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 111| C| D

7/1

Former 200 Guineas fourth has been on the road to recovery this season with two Listed wins (third to Addeybb in between) and now is worth considering back up in class after a battling success at Sandown latest.

Form: 34-4131

(2)

Knight To Behold^b⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 114| D

12/1

Not always the most consistent but showed true ability last season when an easy winner form the front in a French Group Two. Second to Crystal Ocean on return strong form but flopped in a Group One in France since. Dangerous if rain falls.

Form: 0018-27

(4)

Regal Reality²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 120| D

11/4

Comprehensive winner of Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Group 3) and third since to superstar Enable and Group One winner Magical an exceptional effort in the Eclipse. Still improving and looks a cut above these rivals.

Form: 133-313

(6)

Bangkok³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 109| D

9/2

Lone three-year-old in the field was well fancied but flopped in the Derby. Back on song latest with a good second at Royal Ascot in Group Two King Edward VII behind a subsequent Group One winner and may be sternest rival to Regal Reality here.

Form: 44-1102

Forecasts

Addeybb (11/8), Regal Reality (11/4), Bangkok (9/2), Elarqam (7/1), Knight To Behold (12/1), Forest Ranger (16/1)

Sir Michael Stoute's improving four-year-old REGAL REALITY has already won at Group Three level this season and acquitted himself very well behind dual Arc heroine Enable in the Eclipse latest. A repeat of that form would surely make him very hard to beat here. It is early days for the three-year-olds to be compared to their elders but Bangkok looks likely to prove the selection's biggest danger although Addeybb would also enter the equation if it rains.