June 17 / 15.05 York

15.05

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £39697
  • 1m 5f 188y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV4
View Course
Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.80
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 165-64 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who completed Group-race hat-trick with easy win in Group 2 Lonsdale Cup here (2m, good) last August; not at very best on either run this year but it wasn't a bad run when 3l fourth of six in the Yorkshire Cup over C&D (good to firm) last month and he could build on that; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

13th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:03 Salisbury

Quickthorn

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who won this race in 2021, on his way to four Group wins including the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and something has also been missing in his three races this term, but this is a step down in class and he should still be good enough.

8/13

6th

5

(2)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Quickthorn

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who gave his rivals the slip in this race two years ago and the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and so were his two races this term.

12/1

4th

1

(6)

5th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:50 Sandown

Quickthorn

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who was a Listed winner at York (1m6f, good to firm) last June and gave his rivals the slip to follow up in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup (2m, good to soft); his season ended with a lesser run, and his comeback was also disappointing, but this C&D winner has leading claims if back on song.

7/4

13/8

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 3310-2

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive in handicaps last year on various ground; campaign ended with November Handicap flop but he was back on song with short-head second on reappearance in Group 3 at Newbury (1m4f, good) last month; every chance he'll stay this far and continue to improve for top yard; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(1)

21st Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:35 York

Israr

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Record of 321 since wearing blinkers, most recently landing the Wolferton at Royal Ascot (1m2f Listed, good to firm) where he won well and looked better than ever; headgear retained; faces a stiffer task on first Group 1 attempt and owner's retained rider Jim Crowley prefers Alflaila.

33/1

1st

9

(8)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

18:40 Ascot

Israr

9st 5lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

Group 2 winner (1m4f) last term; beaten favourite in two runs in Britain with blinkers added this spring but he ran right up to his best when second to Passenger in 1m2f Chester Group 2 (good to firm; also acts on heavy) last time, with the pair well clear; solid chance.

7/2

2nd

3

(3)

10th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Israr

9st 3lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

took keen hold, prominent, led over 1f out, headed final 110yds

7/2

Form: 12227-

Last run: 238 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Progressive in handicaps last year (on various ground) before near-miss in Longchamp Listed race (1m6f, soft) in September; heavy ground may not have suited next time; others hold stronger form claims but she's in excellent hands to continue to improve and it will be no surprise to see a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(3)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Divine Jewel

8st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Sole win was a four-runner AW handicap two years ago; runner-up in six of her 11 starts since (last nine were in Listed or Group events) and that includes four times by a neck or less, staying 1m6f and appearing to act on almost any going; can go well fresh but has a bit to find on form.

11/1

2nd

2

(7)

7th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:47 Lingfield (AW)

Divine Jewel

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

Ran flat in the Group 2 Park Hill at Doncaster (14.5f, soft) last time, but placed four times in Pattern company prior to that as when runner-up in a Chester Listed contest (1m6f, good to soft) on penultimate start; won a four-runner handicap here (1m4f) on only previous AW outing and looks the one to beat.

9/2

9th

2

(4)

14th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Divine Jewel

9st 7lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: Roger Varian

Creditable second over 1m6f at Leopardstown (Group 3) in July and Chester (Listed) this month; largely consistent but still has only one success on the board and faces a harder task upped to Group 2 level.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9/2-31 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown (2m, good) last month on second run back from absence; carries 5lb penalty and it's a hotter renewal than the one he won two years ago (good to firm), but he's still respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

18th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Newmarket

Roberto Escobarr

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ian Williams

Dual Group 3 winner (2m/1m7f) for other yards in 2023; he didn't beat many last February-October and 1m4f for last month's reappearance (40-1) was too short; the latter was probably his most encouraging of five runs for current yard, however, and he's been dropped another 4lb since, which makes it 17lb below his peak mark; not ruled out.

16/1

6th

1

(6)

18th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Newmarket

Roberto Escobarr

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ian Williams

Dual Group 3 winner (2m/1m7f) for other yards in 2023; he didn't beat many last February-October and 1m4f for last month's reappearance (40-1) was too short; the latter was probably his most encouraging of five runs for current yard, however, and he's been dropped another 4lb since, which makes it 17lb below his peak mark; not ruled out.

16/1

8th

3

(8)

22nd Apr 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:20 Epsom

Roberto Escobarr

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ian Williams

Dual Group 3 winner (2m/1m7f) for other yards in 2023; he didn't beat many last February-October, including in four races for current yard, and although he's not been sent to the Middle East to start this campaign and is now 13lb below his peak mark, this short a trip asks a big question.

25/1

14/1

Form: 323-04

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Two-time Listed winner who was beaten a nose in a Swedish Group 3 last September; faced tough task in Newmarket Group 2 last time but has now failed to shine on both starts this season and others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(2)

11th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Outbox

9st 11lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

led group, raced near side from 8f out

25/1

1st

5

(4)

3rd May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Newmarket

Outbox

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Beaten in this race for last two years (third in 2022, fourth in 2023); starts this campaign as a 9yo and his losing sequence is mounting up; although not disgraced in the Stockholm Cup International on last appearance, he's vulnerable against these younger rivals.

20/1

1st

5

(4)

3rd May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Newmarket

Outbox

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Beaten in this race for last two years (third in 2022, fourth in 2023); starts this campaign as a 9yo and his losing sequence is mounting up; although not disgraced in the Stockholm Cup International on last appearance, he's vulnerable against these younger rivals.

20/1

Form: /03-64 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Three-time handicap winner (various ground) who returned to form with good fourth of eight in Ascot handicap last month on second start back from an absence; however, this 7yo has plenty to find in today's field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(8)

5th Jun 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:57 Nottingham

Rhythmic Intent

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Stuart Williams

The lack of any win since 2021 sees him down to his lowest mark since handicap debut in 2019; stacks of form from 2023 gives him a big chance in theory and he wasn't far away in February three starts ago; while hard to dismiss, it's also hard to make him the percentage call.

7/1

5th

11

(1)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Rhythmic Intent

9st 0lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Stuart Williams

Now a stone below last winning mark; however, he's far from solid on 2024 AW form and losing spell goes back to 2021; by no means certain to take advantage of the drop in weights.

25/1

Form: /360-3

Last run: 43 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Well-bred, lightly raced 4yo who has posted some creditable efforts against her own sex, finishing third in last year's Musidora here (10.2f, good) and also in Goodwood Listed race (1m4f, good to soft) last month; this step up in trip could prompt improvement but lots is needed; hood is left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(9)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Newmarket (July)

Ching Shih

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: David Simcock

held up in rear

14/1

11th

1

(2)

20th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

18:35 Newmarket (July)

Ching Shih

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David Simcock

Losing spell goes back to her 2yo win but she couldn't have gone much closer to putting that right in Listed race at Pontefract (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago, going down by a nose (reopposing Divina Grace was third); claims if in similar form but she does have a bit of an in-and-out profile.

12/1

2nd

3

(10)

23rd Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 1

15:00 Pontefract

Ching Shih

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David Simcock

Losing spell goes back to her 2yo win; respectable third in this race last year but has a question mark over current form; comfortably held in both outings this term.

12/1

Non-runners

Ching Shih

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.60
Straight Forecast £4.22
Trifecta £17.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Israr

RP RATINGS:

Quickthorn

The Times:

Ching Shih

POSTDATA:

Israr

NEWMARKET:

Israr

Telegraph:

Israr

The Guardian:

Israr

Daily Mail:

Israr

D Express:

Israr

Daily Mirror:

Israr

The Sun:

Israr

Daily Record:

Israr

TOPSPEED:

Quickthorn

The Star:

Quickthorn