15:45 York

Friday 17 May 2024

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:20

Boodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes (Group 2) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 55.96s

(3)

Tower Of London⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116

7/4

Improver in the Middle East at the start of this year, bagging valuable prizes around 2m in Saudi and Dubai. The latter was a Group 2 so he's shouldered with a 3 lb penalty but he can still be expected to play a prominent role.

Form: 1249-11

(6)

Al Qareem²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 112| C

17/2

Smart performer who won a Chester listed event and Group 3 Cumberland Lodge at Ascot (both 1½m) last season. Good neck second to reopposing Hamish in John Porter at Newbury (1½m, good) on reappearance.

Form: 00112-2

(1)

Giavellotto⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Botti| OR: 114| CD

7/2

Smart horse who won this race 12 months ago. Good ¾-length third of 14 to Tower of London on Saudi reappearance and he enjoys a pull in the weights with that rival now. Should give a good account but this looks a stronger renewal than last year.

Form: 9153-35

(4)

Gregory²⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111| D

5/1

Rapidly developed into a smart performer last year, winning first 3 starts, notably the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1¾m, good). Ran with credit when third in Great Voltigeur here and fifth in St Leger at Doncaster subsequently. Appeals as one likely to resume his progression as a 4-y-o.

Form: 11135-

(5)

Naqeeb¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 104| D

18/1

Superbly-bred colt (closely related to top-class pair Baaeed and Hukum) who made a sound return to action when 3¾ lengths third of 6 to Outbox in Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1½m ) 14 days ago. This looks a much deeper Group 2 than that one, though.

Form: 22113-3

(2)

Vauban^t¹⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: W P Mullins| OR: 114| BF| D

7/2

High-class hurdler and also really smart on the Flat, bolting up in a Royal Ascot handicap over this trip last June before winning a Naas Group 3. Seemingly failed to stay 2m when favourite for the Melbourne Cup on his final start and respected back down in distance on his return to action.

Form: 411/110-

Non-Runners

(7)

Hamish²⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 8

T: W J Haggas J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Tower Of London (7/4), Giavellotto (7/2), Vauban (7/2), Gregory (5/1), Hamish (6/1), Al Qareem (17/2), Naqeeb (18/1)

HAMISH hasn't finished out of the first 2 at pattern level on his last 9 starts, winning 7 of them, and is taken to enhance his excellent strike-rate but there are plenty of dangers in a very strong renewal. The Gosden stable took this 3 times with outstanding Stradivarius in recent years and the yard's Gregory appeals as one who can develop into a top middle-distance stayer this season so he's second choice ahead of Tower of London.