August 24 / 13.50 York

13.50

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £96407
  • 1m 0f 177y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
ITV
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Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3-0542

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Her last five starts have been at Group 1 level, showing improvement on her second attempt at 1m2f when failing by only a neck to reel in Opera Singer in the Nassau at Goodwood (good to firm) 23 days ago; leading form claims with her sights lowered slightly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

See The Fire

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Secured back-to-back Group 2 Middleton wins at York (10.5f, good to firm/good) last month; went very close to making Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) last October but beaten just over 4l by Ombudsman when third in this last year (good to firm) and it's likely that her limitations will again be exposed today.

16/1

1st

5

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:30 York

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Pulverised her seven rivals in this on her second outing of last season, scoring by a whopping 12l on good to firm; couldn't quite reproduce that high-class RPR at Group 1 level in five subsequent outings in 2025 but mostly ran well, including a close second in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, soft); didn't have much to spare at the line when 1-3 for a 1m2f Nottingham Listed race on reappearance but cruised through most of that contest and will likely be a lot closer to her best this time; again the one to beat in this.

6/5

1st

5

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 1

16:55 Nottingham

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Smart filly who is a Group 3 and Group 2 winner at York (1m1f/1m2f); has plenty of Group 1 form, including placed efforts at Royal Ascot (against males) and Longchamp (close second) last season; takes on some unexposed and interesting rivals but sets a high standard for them to aim at; respected back down sharply in class.

2/5

10/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 425-13 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Good start for new yard and fitted with a hood, beating Al Aasy in 1m2f Newbury Listed race on reappearance before finishing third to that same rival in a 1m4f Goodwood Group 3 (both good to firm); shorter trip now but his form puts him in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(5)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Phantom Flight

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Scott

Enhanced his good strike-rate in Bahrain with Group 3 success in April; weakened into last of six (well below par) at Newbury since and it's nearly two years since he last prevailed on home soil; doubts are cemented by this difficult assignment back up in grade.

66/1

6th

2

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Phantom Flight

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: George Scott

Four Listed wins before he added a 1m4f Group 3 success in Bahrain 15 days ago; stacks of smart form in his lengthy career and none of it better than that latest start, but a bit extra will be needed to win this.

9/1

40/1

  • Place: £7.70

Form: 1-5865

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Listed winner over 1m2f at Newmarket (heavy) last autumn but this year's efforts have been no more than respectable; a recent gelding operation and first-time cheekpieces need to help him stage a full-scale revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Checkandchallenge

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: William Knight

He's contested quality handicaps at Newbury and Ascot on his three starts this term, performing respectably and beaten around 4l each time; this 7yo probably needs something extra to snap a long losing run but he's edging down the weights and has run some big races here; worth a second look.

10/1

10th

14

(30)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Checkandchallenge

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: William Knight

Very useful on his day and has plenty of Listed/Group form; however, needs to improve on his Newbury handicap efforts this season (beaten 4l both times) and remains badly out of the winning habit, with losing spell stretching back to 2023.

20/1

6th

2

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Checkandchallenge

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: William Knight

7yo who's spent the vast majority of his career in Group or Listed races and this time last year he was fifth on this card in the Group 1 Lockinge; only his second handicap when, like so many others, he met traffic problems in the Spring Cup over C&D (28-1) four weeks ago; Rossa Ryan gets back on board and they are not totally dismissed.

20/1

7/1

Form: 12-773

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) on final 2yo start; best effort this year when third to Lead Artist in 1m Goodwood Group 3 (good to firm) in first-time tongue-tie (retained here) 22 days ago; his tendency to race freely is a bit of a concern over this slightly longer trip but he wasn't stopping at the finish at Goodwood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(5)

27th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Task Force

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ralph Beckett

prominent, took keen hold early, outpaced and no chance with winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong

9/2

4th

8

(3)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

Task Force

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

dwelt start, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway 2f out, keeping on when short of room final 110yds

7/1

3rd

10

(4)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Goodwood

Task Force

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Runner-up in Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) last September and reappeared with seventh of 11 in the 2,000 Guineas (1m, good); kept on for fair seventh of 19 in the Group 3 Jersey at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) last time and this step back up in to 1m may well be the right move; not discounted in a first-time tongue-tie.

11/2

OUR TIP

4/1

Form: 06-112 C BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive since gelded and fitted with a hood; added to Chelmsford reappearance success when seeing off 19 rivals in the John Smith's Cup here (1m2f, good to soft) last month, both wins under Jack Mitchell; advanced his form again and shaped very well when only just failing to get there from too far back in a Glorious Goodwood handicap (1m2f, good) 25 days ago; well held only attempt on good to firm; definitely capable of making his presence felt outside handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(7)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Enfjaar

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Best effort in a truncated 2025 campaign when fourth to Haatem in this race (good to firm); showed enough to think he retains all his ability when third in 1m2f Goodwood Listed race (good) on reappearance 25 days ago; could reach the frame in this again.

11/1

3rd

5

(7)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Enfjaar

9st 3lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Unlucky second at Glorious Goodwood in 2024 when bidding for a notable 1m2f handicap double; best effort in a truncated 2025 campaign when fourth to Haatem in Listed grade at Royal Ascot; should be thereabouts, provided he's in top form after ten-month layoff.

5/1

3rd

4

(6)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Enfjaar

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Roger Varian

Won the valuable John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f, good to soft) last July in his penultimate handicap; close fourth of 16 in Listed race at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) one month ago showed, not for the first time, that he should be well capable of a prominent finish in today's company.

5/2

14/1

Form: 215124 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Did well to win a couple of races in Dubai early this year (1m1f/1m handicaps) and he was best of the rest behind runaway winner Royal Scotsman in the Group 3 Diomed at Epsom (extended 1m, good to soft) on return to Britain; 1l fourth to Quddwah in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot (good) since was another good run; should be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Royal Dubai

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Left the Bottis after penultimate start; only second race over as far as 1m2f when straight back to his best in five-runner Listed race at Newbury (good to firm) three weeks ago, asserting in the final 1f; needs to find a bit extra in this company but that was a cracking start for his new stable.

100/30

1st

7

(7)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Royal Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Peak efforts were in June/July last year, including when second in the 8.5f Group 3 Diomed at Epsom, a race in which he underperformed on latest outing; left the Bottis since; has only once raced over this far (2023, bit below form) and balance of form suggests this will be a tough task.

20/1

7

(4)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

13:35 Epsom

Royal Dubai

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Marco Botti

Finished behind Docklands at Ascot last time but, unlike that rival, already has Epsom form having finished second in this race 12 months ago (good to soft; one of his best efforts); still seeking first Group win but has each-way claims back in the Diomed.

12/1

25/1

Form: 1-0504

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Smart performer at his best, including third in this 12 months ago; below par in first-time cheekpieces (discarded now) when a well-held fourth in 1m Pontefract Listed race last time; he'll do well to match last year's placing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Flight Plan

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Failed to build on a decent fourth at Lingfield (1m2f) in February when behind Blue Rc at Newcastle (1m) on Good Friday but the fact he made all in this race off 8lb lower last year means a revival can't be discounted, particularly as he's well drawn to attack again; tongue-tied first time.

13/2

8th

9

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Flight Plan

8st 13lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Quiet in Dubai in January but he returned to Britain with a good fourth at Lingfield (1m2f) five weeks ago; now 6lb lower than when winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup last May and he has the ability to feature.

25/1

4th

4

(5)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Lingfield (AW)

Flight Plan

9st 5lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Often front runs; below par in three outings at Meydan last month (including dirt) but well treated if a return to Britain sparks a revival having landed last year's Thirsk Hunt Cup off 6lb higher; Tapeta winner at the start of his career.

16/1

Form: 274201 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Disappointed behind Enfjaar in the John Smith's Cup here (good to soft) in July but prior to that he was a good second in the Listed Wolferton at Royal Ascot (good to firm) and bounced back from that John Smith's Cup run when landing a conditions race at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f, good to firm; tongue-tied first time) three weeks ago; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Haunted Dream

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Won a strong conditions event over 1m1f at Goodwood last year on good to firm but missed the same race last week when the rain arrived; career-best RPR when fourth in 1m2f Saudi Group 2 in February and although he came last to Haatem in Royal Ascot Listed race (second in it last year) in June, getting badly hampered accounts for that; major player if the ground is okay.

10/1

16th

10

(4)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Haunted Dream

9st 5lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Edged out the same owner's Torito for second in this last year and recorded a career-best RPR when fourth in 1m2f Saudi Group 2 (good to firm) in February when last seen; another who has to enter the reckoning.

12/1

3/1

Form: 12-554 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Progressive 2yo campaign culminated in a second in the Group 1 Dewhurst; good fifth in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and St James's Palace at Royal Ascot (good to firm) on first two outings this year; that makes his subsequent fourth of five in a 1m2f Newbury Listed race a little disappointing (in trouble before stamina should have been issue) but Jim Crowley sticks with him instead of Enfjaar.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(5)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Alyanaabi

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Gelded before reappearing in May with a Listed win at Haydock (7f, good to firm); however, he needs a bigger performance to take this and three lesser runs have followed in Group races; the last two were in blinkers, which are now joined by a tongue-tie.

18/1

6th

1

(9)

29th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Goodwood

Alyanaabi

9st 6lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Gelded before reappearing in May and winning a Listed race at Haydock (7f, good to firm); however, he needs a bigger performance if he's to take this and two lesser runs have followed in Group 3 races (7f/6f, good/AW); the latest was in first-time blinkers, which are retained.

25/1

3

(6)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Alyanaabi

9st 5lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

0-4 over 1m+ last year; dropped in trip and made all in 7f Listed race at Haydock in May but didn't give his running in Group 3 over same C&D three weeks later; now runs in a sprint for the first time since his (winning) debut and also tackles the AW for the first time, so he has a bit to prove, although first-time blinkers could have a positive effect.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.50
Straight Forecast £23.39
Tricast £563.30
Trifecta £480.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

See The Fire

POSTDATA:

Enfjaar

The Star:

Task Force

D Express:

Alyanaabi

Telegraph:

Royal Dubai

Daily Mail:

Phantom Flight

TOPSPEED:

Haunted Dream

RP RATINGS:

See The Fire

Daily Mirror:

See The Fire

The Sun:

See The Fire

Daily Record:

See The Fire

NEWMARKET:

Enfjaar

The Times:

Enfjaar

The Guardian:

Enfjaar