15:00 York

Saturday 23 August 2025

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

Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 22.93s

(9)

Annaf²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: M Appleby| OR: 105| D

66/1

Smart performer who posted a very good neck second in Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle (6f) in June. Excuses next 2 starts but unlikely to be ending his losing run at this level.

Form: 330270

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(6)

Audience^b1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| BF| D

20/1

Very smart on his day as shown when dominating the Lockinge at Newbury and Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last season. However, has failed to fire since, including 3 starts this term, and was most disappointing in this race last year when a hot favourite. Change of headgear.

Form: 140-973

(8)

Lake Forest²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| BF| C| D

12/1

Won the Gimcrack here as a juvenile and made up into a very smart 7f winner in 2024 (also second in Commonwealth Cup), bagging a huge pot in Australia in the autumn. Hasn't had things go to plan this season but shaped well from off the pace when second in Group 2 at Goodwood last month. Respected.

Form: 21-4562

(7)

Never So Brave⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 115| D

7/2

Much improved for new yard this season and produced one of the best handicap performances in recent times when winning 27-runner Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot. Backed that up when following up in Summer Mile there and looks set for another big run.

Form: 720-211

(3)

Qirat²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Colin Keane| T: R M Beckett| OR: 115| D

20/1

Smart performer who caused a shock when used as a pacemaker in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month, slipping the main contenders and just holding on from the unlucky Rosallion. Balance of form suggests he'll struggle here.

Form: 122-201

(5)

Quinault^h,t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: S C Williams| OR: 112| CD

25/1

Likeable front runner who produced a career best when winning the Group 3 Criterion Stakes over C&D in June. Not quite in same form when fourth in Lennox Stakes at Goodwood since, however, and likely to find a few too good at this level.

Form: 3-37014

(11)

Rosallion²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 120| BF| D

1/1

High-class colt who won the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace as a 3-y-o. Not seen again until third in the Lockinge before narrow defeats in Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes (should have won). Drop back to 7f shouldn't be a problem (won Group 1 over this trip as a 2-y-o) and the one to beat.

Form: 211-322

(4)

Maranoa Charlie^h⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Aurelien Lemaitre| T: C H Head| D

9/1

Very talented front runner with an excellent strike rate in France. Only just edged out in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville 7 weeks ago and must be respected taken on his elders for the first time. Unraced on going firmer than good.

Form: 14-1412

(1)

Seagulls Eleven²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: H Palmer| OR: 109| D

50/1

Smart performer who was well placed to end his losing run in 4-runner Group 3 at Goodwood 3 weeks ago. Likely to find this too demanding.

Form: 40-0621

(10)

Exactly²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

9/1

Useful filly who's proving consistent rather than progressive and isn't quite good enough at Group 1 level.

Form: 31-2465

Non-Runners

(2)

Ten Bob Tony⁸⁴

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: E Walker J: W Buick

Forecasts

Rosallion (1/1), Never So Brave (7/2), Maranoa Charlie (9/1), Exactly (9/1), Lake Forest (12/1), Qirat (20/1), Audience (20/1), Quinault (25/1), Ten Bob Tony (33/1), Seagulls Eleven (50/1), Annaf (66/1)

ROSALLION is dropping back to 7f for the first time since winning the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp as a 2-y-o but he's the class act here and should have the race run to suit with several potential front runners in the field. Never So Brave has come on leaps and bounds for his new yard this season and looks ready for this level now. Smart French 3-y-o Maranoa Charlie is a fascinating contender but he's likely to face competition for the lead.