15:00 York

Saturday 21 August 2021

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 22.6s

(4)

Glorious Journey⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| D

17/2

Back to best when landing 7f Criterion Stakes at Newmarket and not disgraced back in trip when twelfth of 19 to Starman in July Cup there since. This trip more suitable and shouldn't be far away.

Form: 3-34310

(6)

Lord Of The Lodge¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 107| D

66/1

Won handicap at Lingfield (AW) in April and backed that up when close second in Leopardstown Group 3. Failed to beat a rival next 2 starts, however, and bit to find even if back to best. Front runner.

Form: 221293

(8)

Pogo⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 112| C| D

14/1

Smart horse who resumed with listed win at Leicester in April and not disgraced when fifth of 11 to Palace Pier in Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Likeable sort who should run his race again.

Form: 352-105

(2)

Safe Voyage²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 114| CD

16/1

Three-time scorer in 2020, including a brace of Group 2s (made all in this), and back to winning ways in listed race at Chester last month. Easy to forgive next run and any rain would increase chance.

Form: 30-0818

(5)

Sir Busker⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: W J Knight| OR: 115| D

11/1

Big improver last year and every bit as good this term, third in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and runner-up in Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury 9 days ago his best efforts. Respected.

Form: 4-34372

(1)

Space Blues²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 117| CD

11/8

Very smart performer. Won 4 on the spin last season, notably the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. Shaped encouragingly after 4 months off when close fourth in Lennox and should be spot on now.

Form: 111-194

(3)

Highfield Princess²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 104| D

17/2

First win came off a lowly 58 but has done nothing but improve since, bagging Royal Ascot handicap and listed race at Chelmsford this summer. Close third in Group 3 at Goodwood since but this tougher.

Form: 312113

(9)

Fivethousandtoone³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 102

28/1

Highly tried at 2 yrs, runner-up in Mill Reef and mid-field in Dewhurst. Well below that form in 2 runs in 2021, though, and hard to warm to.

Form: 2127-03

(7)

Primo Bacio¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 112| C| D

10/3

Much improved at 3 and quickened up in most impressive fashion to land 1m listed event at the Dante meeting here. Not had the rub of the green in Group 1s since and should go well back down in trip.

Form: 21-4157

Forecasts

Space Blues (11/8), Primo Bacio (10/3), Highfield Princess (17/2), Glorious Journey (17/2), Sir Busker (11/1), Pogo (14/1), Safe Voyage (16/1), Fivethousandtoone (28/1), Lord Of The Lodge (66/1)

SPACE BLUES is a Group 1 winner without a penalty, and he shaped as if retaining all his ability when a close fourth in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last month. He should be spot on now and will prove hard to beat with conditions ideal. Primo Bacio was unlucky not to go close in Group 1s at Newmarket/Deauville after her impressive win here, so is a clear next best back down in class/trip.