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
View Course
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

1st

3

(1)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Boiling Point

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Defied top weight in the 2025 Cambridgeshire (1m1f, good to firm) and holds a leading chance provided that smart handicap form is reproduced; hasn't transferred it back to Group level this term but he's respected on ratings and is a similar type to last year's winner of this race (for same connections).

9/2

3rd

2

(1)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Boiling Point

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Can lead and goes well here, as he showed again when defying top-weight in the Cambridgeshire handicap over C&D (good to firm) in September; left the impression the run was just needed and/or the trip stretched him when close fourth of five in Winter Derby at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in February; a bold bid is very much on the cards.

11/4

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

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

4th

5

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:55 Leopardstown

Skukuza

9st 10lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Ed Dunlop

Progressive 4yo won over this trip at the Curragh this term in premier handicap and Listed contest (beating Alakazi); similar level of form unlucky-in-running third in Group 2 Strensall Stakes at York last month; below-par run on soft ground in between raises concerns but big player if handling it.

3/1

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

9th

4

(5)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Kings Gambit

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Charlton

No wins since landing two of his first four starts having been highly tried in the meantime, but he has a consistent record in Group/Listed company shy of the top level (22363522); again ran well when chasing home the smart Damysus on his return in the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket (1m1f, good) last month; shortlisted with the run under his belt.

13/2

2nd

3

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Kings Gambit

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Harry Charlton

No wins in nine Group/Listed races since landing the London Gold Cup at Newbury on his seasonal/handicap debut in 2024; frequently ran well, though, albeit with this trip looking a bare minimum when fifth of eight in York Group 3 in August on his penultimate start; can't be confidently ruled out but will need to resume in top order to make his Group-race breakthrough.

9/1

4

(4)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ayr

Kings Gambit

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Charlton

Expensive to follow in Group/Listed races on his eight starts since winning a handicap at Newbury in May 2024; however, the drop back to 1m1f was against him at York last time and he has plenty of form that puts him firmly in the picture today; seems versatile in terms of ground.

7/2

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

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

10th

1

(23)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Checkandchallenge

9st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

Pretty consistent in Listed/Group races in 2025 without performing to his very best; losing sequence now stands at 18 and he reappears after seven months off in his first handicap since July 2022; cheekpieces left off and others preferred.

25/1

9th

3

(6)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Checkandchallenge

9st 4lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: William Knight

Retains plenty of ability and finished nicely for respectable effort in 1m Group 3 at Haydock most recently; going back up in trip looks a positive but his long losing sequence remains a negative.

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

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

7th

1

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Newmarket

Bullet Point

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Can front-run; 1m wins here last April and in 17-runner race at the York Ebor meeting in August, with his two seconds at Ascot in between including the Royal Hunt Cup; last two outings leave him with a bit to prove, as they were 1m1f, but it's not too hard to excuse them and he is a strong contender.

9/2

7th

2

(7)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

Bullet Point

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

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.

5/1

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