Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 2m 11.56s

(2)

Royal Champion⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 121| CD

10/3

Impressive winner of this race last season prior to a fine third in the Irish Champion Stakes. Scored in a Bahrain Group 2 before following up in the Group 1 Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia early this season and he again wasn't disgraced at the top level in Hong Kong when last seen in April.

Form: 7131-14

(3)

Damysus³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| D

5/4

Highly progressive in 2025 aside from a blip in the Derby, ending the year with listed/Group 3 wins before returning to easily defy a penalty in 9f Newmarket Group 3. Mid-field in the Lockinge/Queen Anne since but this looks easier and the step back up in trip should prove beneficial.

Form: 011-165

(1)

Dancing Gemini^p³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: K Shoemark| T: R A Teal| OR: 118

16/1

Listed/Group 2 winner early last season prior to going close in the Lockinge. Has come up short largely kept to Group 1 company since, though his fourth in this season's Lockinge was sound and he wasn't disgraced upped to this trip when 11¼ lengths fifth of 8 in Prince of Wales's Stakes last month.

Form: 390-645

(5)

Pride Of Arras²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 114| CD

9/1

Smart winner of the Dante and Great Voltigeur here last season, backing up the latter success when fourth to Royal Champion in Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy (1¼m) in November. Should come on for his return from an 8-month absence in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud 3 weeks ago.

Form: 10014-8

(4)

Item⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 117| CD

3/1

Won both starts at 2 yrs and confirmed himself a smart performer when making a successful return in the Dante at C&D in May. Perhaps caught out by conditions when only ninth to Christmas Day in Derby at Epsom (1½m, soft, 11/2) last time and he's still open to improvement on better ground.

Form: 11-19

Forecasts

Damysus (5/4), Item (3/1), Royal Champion (10/3), Pride Of Arras (9/1), Dancing Gemini (16/1)

DAMYSUS hasn't quite been at his best over 1m on his last 2 starts but this trip should suit him better and he can confirm the impression made when an impressive winner of the Earl of Sefton. Dante winner Item can get back on the up having found soft conditions against him in the Derby, whilst last year's winner Royal Champion is also respected back on these shores.