13:50 York

Saturday 24 August 2024

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

Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 1m 49.96s

(2)

Checkandchallenge^p1⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: W J Knight| OR: 109

33/1

Smart at his best but yet to hit top form this term, just a respectable fifth of 6 in listed event at Sandown (10f, good) 50 days ago. Cheekpieces are reached for now with more required.

Form: 41-5865

(7)

Enfjaar^h²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 108| BF| C

4/1

On the up since being gelded and fitted with a hood this season, scoring at Chelmsford and here (John Smith's Cup) before an excellent second of 17 in handicap at Goodwood (9.9f, good to firm) 25 days ago when conceding first run. Must enter calculations.

Form: 006-112

(1)

Flight Plan²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: K R Burke| OR: 108

25/1

Smart colt at his best but not at his best of late, cheekpieces on when 7¾ lengths fourth of 7 to Point Lynas in listed race at Pontefract (8f, good) 27 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 31-0504

(5)

Haunted Dream^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 111| D

12/1

Likeable sort who ran a cracker when runner-up in listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Resumed winning ways in 7-runner conditions event at Goodwood (9f, firm) 22 days ago so needs considering.

Form: 274201

(4)

Phantom Flight^h²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott| OR: 108| C

7/1

Hooded when making a winning start for new yard in 10f listed race at Newbury in July. Backed it up with a solid third of 5 to Al Aasy in Glorious Stakes at Goodwood (12f, good to firm) 21 days ago. Down in trip but can't be discounted.

Form: 3425-13

(6)

Royal Dubai⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Botti| OR: 108| D

14/1

Back on the up this year, winning twice at Meydan in the spring, and he recorded a career best when a length fourth of 7 to Quddwah in Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot (8f, good) 42 days ago. In the mix.

Form: 215124

(9)

Alyanaabi³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 111| BF

8/1

Smart winning juvenile who has performed with credit all three runs this term in 2000 Guineas, St James's Palace and when a non-staying fourth of 5 in 10f Newbury listed event. Possibilities now back in trip.

Form: 412-554

(3)

Task Force^t²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 110

7/2

Smart and consistent colt who was tongue tied when posting a very good 1¼ lengths third of 9 to Lead Artist in Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood (8f, firm) 22 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 112-773

(8)

See The Fire²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 114

3/1

Winless since her debut but she's recorded some smart efforts, fourth in the Eclipse at Sandown before beaten a neck by Opera Singer in Nassau Stakes at Goodwood (9.9f, good to firm) 23 days ago. Holds very good form claims.

Form: 23-0542

Forecasts

See The Fire (3/1), Task Force (7/2), Enfjaar (4/1), Phantom Flight (7/1), Alyanaabi (8/1), Haunted Dream (12/1), Royal Dubai (14/1), Flight Plan (25/1), Checkandchallenge (33/1)

A cracking Strensall Stakes in which Roger Varian's upwardly-mobile 4-y-o ENFJAAR is fancied to claim his biggest win yet and add to his impressive John Smith's Cup victory here. The classic generation are well represented and Nassau runner-up See The Fire could emerge as the main danger, although the reliable Task Force could also have a say along with Alyanaabi now he reverts in trip.