August 23 / 13.50 York

13.50

Good To Firm

Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)

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

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 2-2933 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
3yo who was a close Listed second on his reappearance (1m1f, good to soft) then wasn't beaten far in mid-division in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good to soft); things haven't panned out ideally when third in 1m Listed/Group 3 races the last twice (including on good to firm) and this extra furlong could be in his favour; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

King Of Cities

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: K R Burke

Formerly trained by Richard Hannon but remained with same owner; produced his best performance in most recent domestic start, namely a narrow success in Group 3 at last year's Ebor festival at York (1m1f, good to firm); may have more to offer this term; respected.

3/1

1st

8

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

King Of Cities

9st 0lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

3yo who was a close Listed second on his reappearance (1m1f, good to soft) then wasn't beaten far in mid-division in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good to soft); things haven't panned out ideally when third in 1m Listed/Group 3 races the last twice (including on good to firm) and this extra furlong could be in his favour; not ruled out.

7/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.40

Form: 194-54

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Listed winner at Newmarket (7f, good) last May and kept on for good fourth in Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) last August; has run to form in AW handicap (fifth) and Pontefract Listed race (fourth) on first two starts for this yard (both 1m) but needs something extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(1)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Goodwood

Boiling Point

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Has produced two sound performances at Goodwood this term, namely Listed win (1m2f; gamely beat Naqeeb) in May and close second in very useful conditions race (1m1f) last time; ties in with Seagulls Eleven on Diomed (8.5f) running; solid claims.

4/1

2nd

1

(6)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Boiling Point

9st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Won the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (1m1f, good to firm) last September and added a Listed win here (1m2f, good) in May, narrowly beating Naqeeb; this front-runner has remained in good form and can make a bold bid.

9/2

4th

1

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Boiling Point

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: K R Burke

Ran creditably, one place behind Persica, in Epsom Group 3 last time but is now worse off with that rival; has to overcome a 3lb penalty for narrow Listed win at Goodwood (1m2f, good) in May.

16/1

3rd
5 (4)
Skukuza

6/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: -56119

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Rediscovered his progressive ways over 1m at the Curragh this season, winning a handicap (held up) and following up in a Listed race (made all; again readily); it was his first run on slow ground when soundly beaten in the Golden Mile at Goodwood three weeks ago; could bounce back with bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

24th

2

(17)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Skukuza

9st 12lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Ed Dunlop

Good second (off 20lb lower) in the Britannia at this meeting two years ago but he was progressive at the time, whereas his form has dipped in last two outings (normally a consistent sort, including at Group level); 2-2 at the Curragh compared to only 1-16 elsewhere; wears first-time headgear.

50/1

6th

8

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Skukuza

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Form dipped last time when he raced too freely; otherwise a broadly consistent sort who may rebound, provided he settles better; has Group form and can't be dismissed from a ratings perspective but may be more interesting when back at the Curragh where he's 2-2 (only 1-15 elsewhere).

10/1

6th

6

(2)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Skukuza

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Won a valuable Curragh handicap last May and impressed in a Listed win there (also 1m, good) the following month; again had Ryan Moore riding when he looked a shade unlucky in York Group 3 (1m1f, good to firm) in August; finished last year with good efforts in Group 2s at Leopardstown and Longchamp; back in that sort of form when close fifth in Saint-Cloud Group 3 (1m, soft) 17 days ago and he's a likely player with Moore retaking the reins.

5/1

11/2

Form: 1211 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Has run four times, with his sole defeat coming at the hands of Wednesday's close Great Voltigeur third Arabian Force; made it 2-2 in handicaps when winning in a big field at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago (1m1f, good; has also won on good to firm); today's company demands further and sizeable improvement but that can't be ruled out from this progressive 3yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(4)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Gladius

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won a maiden and two handicaps from his five starts, the latest win at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f); good fourth of eight when upped to Group 3 at York (1m1f, good to firm) seven weeks ago; needs to maintain his progressive profile but that is possible.

3/1

4th

7

(8)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

Gladius

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Has run four times, with his sole defeat coming at the hands of Wednesday's close Great Voltigeur third Arabian Force; made it 2-2 in handicaps when winning in a big field at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago (1m1f, good; has also won on good to firm); today's company demands further and sizeable improvement but that can't be ruled out from this progressive 3yo.

11/2

12

(13)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

16:55 Goodwood

Gladius

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

His three runs have come on AW/good to firm; back to winning ways at Sandown (1m1f) in June on his first handicap start; did it in convincing fashion and this unexposed 3yo could take a 7lb rise in his stride.

5/2

Form: 37-463 BF

Last run: 67 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Beaten in Group/Listed races on last seven starts, five of those defeats at 4-1 or shorter; however, he holds leading claims on last summer's Group-race form here and he was a close Listed third at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) last time; this could be a good opportunity but he's been expensive to follow and the drop back in trip isn't an obvious plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

14:25 Goodwood

Kings Gambit

9st 3lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Harry Charlton

Late headway once in the clear in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) in June, finishing seventh of 16, and outclassed in the Eclipse since (well beaten at 100-1); drops back in grade and the step back up in trip is worth a go, but he's 0-13 in Group/Listed races since winning the London Gold Cup in May 2024 and may again find a few too good.

9/1

6th

2

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Kings Gambit

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Harry Charlton

Capable of very useful form but he is 0-12 since landing a major handicap at Newbury over two years ago and was unplaced in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot last month; supplemented at a cost of £50,000, possibly to act as pacemaker for fellow Wathnan Racing runner Gethin.

66/1

7th

10

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Kings Gambit

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Harry Charlton

No win since landing two of his first four starts but has a largely consistent record in Listed/Group company since, including third to Haatem and Galen in this race on good to firm 12 months ago; again ran well when chasing home Damysus in Group 3 at Newmarket (1m1f, good) on reappearance in April; a subsequent Chester run was disappointing but his record suggests he's unlikely to stay down for long.

11/1

Form: 835943

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Beaten 15 times since last win in November 2023; however, he's shown some strong form this year and has posted lofty RPRs on his two previous runs at York, including when third at 33-1 in this race last season (good to firm); this isn't a strong Group 3; interesting contender back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

7

(6)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Checkandchallenge

9st 3lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

7yo who is winless since November 2023 but has dropped down the weights and was 4l third of 13 to The Lost King over C&D (good to firm) last month; each-way claims if acting on the ground; his last win came on heavy going but subsequent slow-ground form has been mixed.

20/1

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

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1221 C

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Progressive in 1m handicaps, going close twice in a row at Ascot (including the Royal Hunt Cup) before winning the Clipper Handicap here (good to firm) on Thursday, doing it in good style having had to wait for a clear run; this would be a very quick turnaround but he has Group-race potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(10)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Bullet Point

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Failed to kick on after winning this last year (good to firm) but he returned to form in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) when runner-up at Ascot (1m, good to firm) recently; won on soft ground early in career; firmly in the mix if backing up that latest performance.

11/2

2nd

7

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Bullet Point

9st 10lb

J: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire

T: William Haggas

Strong handicap form last summer, runner-up in both Ascot runs (1m, straight course) before landing a valuable prize at York's Ebor meeting; only 1lb higher today after a couple of low-key runs in May; interesting with cheekpieces now given a go.

4/1

12th

3

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Bullet Point

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Can front-run; had 1m wins at Newmarket and York last season, with two seconds at Ascot in between including the Royal Hunt Cup; makes plenty of appeal on that evidence but needs to bounce back from an underwhelming reappearance when second favourite at Newmarket two weeks ago.

11/2

Form: 1-210 C

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Two novice wins from his first three starts (1m, AW/good to firm), with a close Listed second at Newcastle (1m, AW) in between; down the field in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good to soft) in June when last seen and could do with settling better, but this unexposed 3yo retains potential for his top yard now back down in trip and in grade; possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(2)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Bowmark

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: John & Thady Gosden

Lightly raced 4yo from top yard; headstrong up front in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f) last June and also failed to settle when held up in York Group 3 (1m1f) last August on his only subsequent start; returns to 1m for reappearance but whether he's calmed down after being gelded may be the key.

7/1

8th

6

(2)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

Bowmark

9st 0lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Two novice wins from his first three starts (1m, AW/good to firm), with a close Listed second at Newcastle (1m, AW) in between; down the field in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good to soft) in June when last seen and could do with settling better, but this unexposed 3yo retains potential for his top yard now back down in trip and in grade; possible player.

5/1

1st

1

(3)

16th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

16:55 York

Bowmark

9st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Impressive win on debut at Kempton (1m, AW) in December and beaten just a neck in Listed race at Newcastle (1m, AW) on last month's reappearance; stable has won the last two runnings; leading form claims even under penalty.

11/10

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £188.80
Straight Forecast £251.76
Tricast £3135.55
Trifecta £1458.50

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Bowmark

LAMBOURN:

Gladius

TOPSPEED:

King Of Cities

POSTDATA:

Bullet Point

RP RATINGS:

King's Gambit

Daily Mirror:

Skukuza

The Sun:

Boiling Point

SPOTLIGHT:

Checkandchallenge

D Express:

Bowmark

Daily Record:

Bowmark

Daily Mail:

King Of Cities

Telegraph:

Gladius

The Guardian:

Gladius

The Star:

Bullet Point

The Times:

King's Gambit