Boodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 3m 7.88s

(2)

Rebel's Romance⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 123

11/10

High-class gelding (7-time Group/Grade1 winner). Only a respectable 3 lengths fourth in Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan last time but still the one to beat now tackling 1¾m for the first time.

Form: 1311-14

(4)

Sweet William^v²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 117| D

10/3

Very smart stayer, winning Sagaro at Ascot (2m) and Doncaster Cup (2¼m) last year. Chased home Kyprios in Long Distance Cup back at Ascot on final start. Second in 2023 Ebor over C&D.

Form: 313212-

(1)

Alsakib²⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 110| CD

14/1

C&D Group 3 winner last summer but found out in stronger Group races over 2m later in the season. Probably vulnerable on return.

Form: 634178-

(3)

Continuous^b1⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| BF| C

9/2

2023 St Leger winner but failed to hit the same heights last year and it's been a similar story in 2 outings in the Middle East this spring. Needs first-time blinkers to spark a full-scale revival.

Form: 3009-39

(5)

Epic Poet⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 110| D

7/1

Fourth in last year's Ebor over C&D and arrives on the back of a good spell in the Middle East, including a 1¾m Meydan win in January. Creditable 3 lengths third of 10 to Dubai Future in Dubai Gold Cup there (2m) 6 weeks ago. Should go well.

Form: 14-1323

Forecasts

Rebel's Romance (11/10), Sweet William (10/3), Continuous (9/2), Epic Poet (7/1), Alsakib (14/1)

REBEL'S ROMANCE wasn't at his very best in the Sheema Classic last month but still looks the one to beat on a rare start in Britain. Epic Poet is another who arrives with fitness assured after a spell in Dubai and might provide a bigger threat than the returning Sweet William.