August 20 / 15.00 York

15.00

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)

  • Prize money: £151699.25
  • 1m 3f 188y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
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Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £20.70
  • Place: £3.45

Form: 1-100 C

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Won his only race as a 2yo and the future looked bright indeed when he reappeared with a ready win in the Group 2 Dante at York (1m2f, good to firm) in May; his career has gone dramatically off the rails in the Derby (4-1 second favourite) and Irish Derby, however, and with far fewer apparent excuses in the latter, which was followed soon afterwards by a gelding operation; begins the road back by returning to the scene of his finest hour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(4)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Pride Of Arras

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won his only race as a 2yo and the future looked bright indeed when he reappeared with a ready win in the Group 2 Dante at York (1m2f, good to firm) in May; his career has gone dramatically off the rails in the Derby (4-1 second favourite) and Irish Derby, however, and with far fewer apparent excuses in the latter, which was followed soon afterwards by a gelding operation; begins the road back by returning to the scene of his finest hour.

9/1

4

(8)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Pride Of Arras

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Impressed despite betraying inexperience when winning a 1m maiden on good at Sandown; on sole 2yo start; became a strong Derby candidate after his winning return in the Group 2 Dante at York; nothing went right for him at Epsom (bumped at the start, failed to settle well, raced wide); one bad run can be forgiven, but wider doubts about the Dante form abound.

15/2

2nd
2 (3)
Carmers

5/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 111

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Made debut in May and won a maiden at Ballinrobe, Listed race at Navan (again on good) and Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (good to firm) in less than six weeks, all in blinkers; they were 1m5f/1m6f but he seized the initiative entering the straight at Ascot to give hope for 1m4f; further marked improvement is needed but he's already come a long way in a short space of time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Down Royal

Carmers

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: P Twomey

Won his first three races around this time last year, notably 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase; better again in defeat when second in 1m4f Great Voltigeur and fifth to Scandinavia in St Leger; not quite at same level on last month's seasonal return behind same rival in Navan Listed; visor now replaces blinkers.

5/4

5th

1

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

15:05 Navan

Carmers

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: P Twomey

Won his first three races, notably 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, beating the subsequent Geoffrey Freer winner; Furthur; lost his unbeaten record but emerged with credit in taking second in the 1m4f Great Voltigeur at York; hung left and dropped away to finish fifth behind Scandinavia when running on soft for the first time in the St Leger.

4/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.45

Form: 61172

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won two novice events before advancing his RPR again when seventh of 12 in a 1m2f Group 3 at Royal Ascot, on all on good to firm; a prominent finish looked unlikely 1f out in Listed race at Hamilton (1m3f, good) on latest outing but a late surge took him to within a nose of victory; needs further major improvement but 1m4f beckons strongly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Arabian Force

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Progressed very well as 3yo last term, culminating in his close third in Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York (1m4f, good to firm) in August, until not so good trying 1m6f in Listed race on final outing; always close up and rallied when close second in 1m4f Listed event at Longchamp on reappearance; may well have more to give but it is needed in today's company.

5/1

1

(8)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Arabian Force

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won two novice events in the spring and a late surge took him to within a nose of victory in Listed race at Hamilton (1m3f, good; unraced on softer) in July; close third of seven in Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York (1m4f, good to firm) in August, coming from the back in something of a tactical race; 1m6f looks within reach and this highly progressive colt is top on form.

11/8

3rd

4

(7)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Arabian Force

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won two novice events before advancing his RPR again when seventh of 12 in a 1m2f Group 3 at Royal Ascot, on all on good to firm; a prominent finish looked unlikely 1f out in Listed race at Hamilton (1m3f, good) on latest outing but a late surge took him to within a nose of victory; needs further major improvement but 1m4f beckons strongly.

10/1

7/1

Form: 12

Last run: 102 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
400,000gns purchase as a foal, from the last crop of Galileo; knuckled down to win a Leopardstown maiden (1m2f, good) in April in clearcut style; ran odds-on stablemate to a short head in Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) in May, which augured well (despite subsequent performances of the winner) but he's been off since; faced with three more stablemates, including dual Derby winner, it will be fascinating to see his market strength.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(3)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

12:55 Ascot

Stay True

9st 2lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 1m2f Leopardstown maiden and short-headed in 11.6f Lingfield Derby Trial before a three-month absence; returned with further improved efforts when close up in the Great Voltigeur at York (1m4f, good to firm) and the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f, soft) and he threatened to win in both those races; he therefore remains a very classy prospect but he's not been shaping as if this extra distance is what he needs.

5/1

3rd

6

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Stay True

9st 3lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: A P O’Brien

Three of Aidan O'Brien's last four St Leger winners were by Galileo and this colt is from the great sire's final crop; unraced on softer than good; won a 1m2f Leopardstown maiden and short-headed in 11.6f Lingfield Derby Trial; off for more than three months before he upstaged stablemate Lambourn in the 1m4f Great Voltigeur at York, taking over briefly more than 1f out, and although he finished fourth he was pipped for second only on the line by Carmers; there's more for him to prove regarding stamina today compared to all of his rivals, but O'Brien made clear that the York race was needed; after just three races, he still looks an exciting prospect.

8/1

4th

6

(5)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Stay True

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

400,000gns purchase as a foal, from the last crop of Galileo; knuckled down to win a Leopardstown maiden (1m2f, good) in April in clearcut style; ran odds-on stablemate to a short head in Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) in May, which augured well (despite subsequent performances of the winner) but he's been off since; faced with three more stablemates, including dual Derby winner, it will be fascinating to see his market strength.

7/1

4/5

Form: 5-2111 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Set the pace when winning the Derby at Epsom by nearly 4l, never seriously threatened, and helped to set it when he had to dig deep to follow up in Irish Derby at the Curragh (again 1m4f on good; unraced on firmer) later in June; a more testing 1m4f (or further) would seem ideal but, even with his penalty, he has clearly the best chance on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Very much at the top his generation last year, winning the Chester Vase at this meeting before going on to classic glory at Epsom and the Curragh (all three wins over 1m4f on good ground); he was undeniably disappointing in the Great Voltigeur (1m4f, good to firm) and St Leger (14.5f, soft), but this looks a good starting point for his 4yo career given the race conditions and he should take the beating if anything like back to his best; cheekpieces are given a go.

6/4

4th

3

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: A P O’Brien

Set the pace when winning the Derby at Epsom by nearly 4l and helped to set it when he dug deep to follow up in Irish Derby at the Curragh (again 1m4f on good) later in June; 3l fifth when 4-5 in the Great Voltigeur at York last month looked disappointing, notwithstanding the sprint from early in the straight, but his trainer has stressed that it was a stepping stone to bigger prizes in the autumn; the two Derby wins suggest this trip won't be a problem and they are the best form in this field.

11/4

Form: 312-31

Last run: 104 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Progressive as 2yo and he resumed that improvement when winning the Listed Dee Stakes over Chester's extended 1m2f (on good ground) in May, passing five of his six rivals in the last 2f to get up in the nick of time; raced a bit freely that day and still looked open to improvement but he's not been seen since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(8)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Mount Kilimanjaro

9st 3lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Winner of the Dee Stakes (Listed) but relegated to pacemaking duties for stablemate Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes most recently, eventually dropping away to finish last; seemingly set to adopt the same role, as is Devil's Advocate for Ombudsman.

150/1

8th

7

(4)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:30 Leopardstown

Mount Kilimanjaro

9st 3lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: A P O’Brien

Dee Stakes winner; inconclusive run in the Great Voltigeur, supporting role here.

66/1

6th

5

(2)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Mount Kilimanjaro

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: A P O’Brien

Progressive as 2yo and he resumed that improvement when winning the Listed Dee Stakes over Chester's extended 1m2f (on good ground) in May, passing five of his six rivals in the last 2f to get up in the nick of time; raced a bit freely that day and still looked open to improvement but he's not been seen since.

16/1

Form: 14-617

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Blinkered all starts; promoted to first in Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, good) in May, making most and bumped 1f out in a very tight finish; improved again when 80-1 in the Irish Derby at same track (1m4f, good) in June, albeit seventh of ten and coming about four and a half lengths behind winner Lambourn, therefore having something to find with him today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(1)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Thrice

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: A P O’Brien

Blinkered all starts; promoted to first in Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, good) in May, making most and bumped 1f out in a very tight finish; improved again when 80-1 in the Irish Derby at same track (1m4f, good) in June, albeit seventh of ten and coming about four and a half lengths behind winner Lambourn, therefore having something to find with him today.

66/1

10

(3)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Thrice

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; remote sixth behind Lambourn in the Chester Vase on return; much better when a promoted winner of the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes over 1m2f at this venue, outperforming shorter-priced stablemate Shackleton.

50/1

2nd

4

(2)

23rd May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

18:55 Curragh

Thrice

9st 5lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; however, was beaten a long way over 1m4f in the Chester Vase on return and appears to be the yard's second-string today.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £114.20
Straight Forecast £72.63
Trifecta £539.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lambourn

The Guardian:

Carmers

Telegraph:

Stay True

NEWMARKET:

Arabian Force

RP RATINGS:

Lambourn

TOPSPEED:

Lambourn

POSTDATA:

Lambourn

The Times:

Lambourn

Daily Mail:

Lambourn

Daily Mirror:

Lambourn

The Star:

Lambourn

D Express:

Stay True

The Sun:

Carmers

Daily Record:

Carmers