15:05 York

Saturday 18 July 2020

All12:1512:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:10

John Smith's City Walls Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 58.12s

(4)

El Astronaute³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 110| CD

7/1

Two course wins to his name, and a solid yardstick. Made a winning seasonal reappearance at Doncaster (5f; good) last month. 3lb worse off with Tarboosh for such a short winning margin he is entitled to improve so could confirm the form.

Form: 25853-1

(7)

Equilateral⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: C Hills| OR: 111| D

10/3

Proved to be a frustrating sort over the years. Reaffirmed that reputation when unable to back up his second to Battaash in the King's Stand when down the field in the July Cup last weekend. Turned out quickly so evidently thought capable of better.

Form: 16-1229

(3)

Alpha Delphini⁴²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 113| CD

12/1

2018 Nunthorpe winner only had the one run last year when second to Battaash in the Temple Stakes at Haydock (5f; good to firm). Difficult to know what to expect on his first run back from a long absence. Highest rated in the line-up though.

Form: 32210/2-

(1)

Major Jumbo²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 107| C| D

9/2

Hard to fault either of his efforts in defeat, as he has finished third on each occasion in Group Three company, most recently on the AW at Newcastle (6f; standard). Likes it here and won the last time he was dropped into this grade.

Form: 9170-33

(8)

Moss Gill⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: J D Bethell| OR: 105| CD

6/1

C&D winner not disgraced when just behind Major Jumbo in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket (5f; good to firm) last month. This is a slight drop in class but is no less competitive. Trainer is 0-13 over the last 14 days though.

Form: 2219-16

(6)

Tarboosh¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: D C Costello| T: P T Midgley| OR: 105| D

40/1

This is more manageable after he was outclassed in Group company at Sandown (5f; good) recently. Only finished a half-length behind El Astronaute on reappearance at Doncaster (5f; good) and is now 3lb better off with that rival.

Form: 8121-29

(9)

Que Amoro^p²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 103| CD

3/1

Two-time course winner who started where she left off last season in progressive form to win a 'Listed' contest at Ayr (5f; good) on her seasonal debut. Has now won three of her last four races, and gets weight from her main rivals.

Form: 34112-1

(5)

Aberama Gold²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 97| C| D

80/1

Takes a slight drop in class after failing to be up to the task in group company in his last three starts. Last taste of success came over 6f at this track in this company so he is not one to discount fully.

Form: 1419-00

(2)

Al Raya²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 103| D

9/1

Progressed from seasonal return to action to finish second at Chantilly (5f; soft) in this grade at the end of last month. Won a Group Three on his final start as a two-year-old. Stable and jockey could hardly be in better form.

Form: 4121-42

Forecasts

Que Amoro (3/1), Equilateral (10/3), Major Jumbo (9/2), Moss Gill (6/1), El Astronaute (7/1), Al Raya (9/1), Alpha Delphini (12/1), Tarboosh (40/1), Aberama Gold (80/1)

One who should not be discounted as the outsider of the field is Aberama Gold who returns to the scene he was victorious at when last running in this grade. He has had excuses tackling competitive group contests since so can be forgiven those efforts. Major Jumbo has been placed in a pair of Group Three races this season and should represent himself well on that evidence while El Astronaute is fancied to confirm the form of his recent meeting at Doncaster with Tarboosh despite giving that rival 3lb this time. They all have to beat QUE AMORO though who is an improving filly and looks a typical sort her trainer can make up into a Group One performer in time.