Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup Stakes (Group 2) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 2m 58.33s

(1)

Stradivarius²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| CD

6/4

Made a successful reappearance in this in 2018 and 2019 and he's been a fabulous stayer over the years for connections. Placed behind Trueshan to end last year and he still demands the utmost respect under a penalty.

Form: 141123-

(2)

Max Vega²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 110

7/1

Failed to win at 3 or 4 yrs but emphatically put it right on reappearance in the John Porter. Step back up in trip no issue and he's likely to give his running.

Form: 0/7532-1

(4)

Tashkhan¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 116| D

17/2

Big improver for this yard last year, culminating with excellent 1½ lengths second of 10 to Trueshan in Long Distance Cup in November. Shaped as though in need of the run in the Sagaro Stakes so better expected this time.

Form: 12552-5

(5)

Thunderous^b⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| C

17/2

Smart gelding who ran with credit in pattern company last season without managing to get his head in front. Showed the benefit of reappearance in the John Porter when second in the Ormonde Stakes with blinkers back on.

Form: 7324-62

(3)

Search For A Song²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 114| BF| C| D

2/1

Very smart dual-Irish Leger winner and better than ever when adding to tally in the Loughbrown Stakes in September. Kept in training and reappearance second last month was perfectly satisfactory. Major player.

Form: 25614-2

Forecasts

Stradivarius (6/4), Search For A Song (2/1), Max Vega (7/1), Thunderous (17/2), Tashkhan (17/2)

Having been kept in training as a 6-y-o mare, SEARCH FOR A SONG looks set for another productive season on the back of a sound reappearance, and in receipt of weight all round, is a tempting alternative to Stradivarius. The Gosden runner has been a fine servant for connections but he wasn't at the peak of his powers to end 2021 and he looks worth opposing at a shade of odds-on.