August 23 / 15.00 York

15.00

Good To Firm

Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)

  • Prize money: £377121.5
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
ITV
View Course
Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

20/1

Form: 22-201 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Supplemented to act as pacemaker in Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (1m, good) last month, when he slipped the field and won at 150-1; that took Goodwood record to 3-3; subsequently supplemented for this race at cost of £40,000; there have to be major doubts about whether he can reproduce that latest form, and on his previous exploits he has something to find; first run here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(8)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Goodwood

Qirat

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Unbeaten at this course until two defeats at the 2026 Glorious Goodwood, albeit faced a difficult task on ratings and raced too close to strong pace in the Sussex Stakes latest (fluky winner of that race 12 months earlier); has a better chance in this field.

5/1

9th

5

(8)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Goodwood

Qirat

9st 10lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Prevailed in York Group 3 when dropped back to 7f last month, benefiting from the first application of a tongue-tie, and rallied for fourth behind Lake Forest in 7f Group 2 Lennox here yesterday; well suited by Goodwood but he was a fluky 150-1 winner of this race last year, having been allowed too much rope in a pacemaking duty, and seems unlikely to repeat the feat.

50/1

4th

5

(5)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Qirat

9st 6lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Prevailed in Group 3 event at York (7f, good) last time, bouncing back to form with tongue-tie fitted (retained today) and dropped back in trip; record of 3-3 at Goodwood features a success when pacemaker in last year's Sussex Stakes; commands respect returned to this venue.

3/1

25/1

Form: 0-0621 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
3yo who has done well since being gelded, finishing second in a Listed race at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) then beating his three rivals to win the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood (1m, soft); supplemented for this race at a cost of £40,000 but could be vulnerable in this grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(7)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Goodwood

Seagulls Eleven

9st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Versatile as regards ground; faced a stiff assignment in the Sussex Stakes last time (showed signs of post-race ataxia); in great form otherwise this season, notably winning the Diomed at Epsom then close third in Ascot Group 2; has won over C&D; major player.

3/1

10th

6

(12)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Goodwood

Seagulls Eleven

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Better than ever this season, most recently a close third in Group 2 at Ascot (1m, good to firm) when bidding for a hat-trick after wins at Longchamp (Listed) and Epsom (Group 3); landed the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago; faces a tougher task in this top grade but could go well in his current form.

66/1

3rd

7

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:27 Ascot

Seagulls Eleven

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

This prominent racer was pipped by No Lunch (who has to give him 3lb now) in Saint-Cloud Group 2 on reappearance but has built on that with wins in Listed race at Longchamp and Group 3 at Epsom (both 1m, good to soft) in recent months; while his best RPRS have been achieved on good or softer his second on good to firm at last year's Newmarket July meeting was as good as anything he'd achieved at that stage; should go well.

8/1

OUR TIP

66/1

Form: 330270 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won 7f Group 2 in Saudi Arabia in February 2024 and went close in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle (6f, AW) this June; however, two lesser runs have followed and he's up against it today even if back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

8

(16)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Annaf

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Appleby

Money-spinner for connections down the years; recent efforts have suggested he retains a good deal of his ability and his handicap mark is easing; beaten only 3l in a 7f Group 1 at this meeting 12 months ago; each-way shout.

33/1

11th

14

(6)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Annaf

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Appleby

Having edged down the weights he offered a good deal more when third to Tuco Salamanca at Newcastle (6f, AW) in June; finished with a flourish when seventh behind Dubai Bling at Ascot (5f, good to firm) three weeks ago, a run that confirmed he was still in good order; returning to 6f will help and he can't be dismissed, for all that he has been well beaten in this race twice before (2022 and 2025).

16/1

7th

3

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Ascot

Annaf

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Appleby

Six runs at Ascot have yielded two Group 3 wins (6f) as well as a third in a Group 1 over C&D; back to form with a good third in a competitive AW handicap (6f) two weeks ago; 1lb rise not insurmountable; respected.

9/1

Form: 40-973 D BF

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Second in this in 2023 (good to firm); won the Group 1 Lockinge (1m) and Group 2 Lennox (7f) last year and a reproduction of that form would give him leading claims; however, below his best since finishing fourth of six in this 12 months ago; blinkers replace the cheekpieces adopted last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

18:00 Leopardstown

Audience

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: David O’Meara

Front-running Lockinge winner in 2024 and Group 2 winner at Goodwood the same year; on a losing run since then and had experienced many reverses before being placed in two Irish 7f Group 3 races this term; made much of the running when second on soft ground here in June; similar scenario when third at the Curragh last month; likely to be in the mix.

5/1

3rd

1

(4)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Audience

9st 10lb

J: Colin Keane

T: David O’Meara

Group 1 Lockinge winner in 2024 and Group 2 winner at Goodwood the same year; on a losing run since but his runner-up finish in a Leopardstown Group 3 showed definite signs of encouragement (7f, soft) when ridden by Keane for the first time; his wins came on good so if he repeats that latest run he is firmly in the mix.

6/1

2nd

1

(5)

11th Jun 2026

Soft

0m 7f 35y

19:00 Leopardstown

Audience

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: David O’Meara

Group 1 Lockinge winner in 2024 and Group 2 winner at Goodwood the same year; on a losing run since and ran poorly in Dubai in three starts this year; didn't fare any better at Haydock 33 days ago, fading tamely; hard to be positive about him currently.

20/1

Form: 1-4562 C

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won the Group 2 Gimcrack here in 2yo season in 2023; not beaten far when fifth in Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) and his run here next time may have come too soon; beaten nearly 3l when second in Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good) latest; may find a few too good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Lake Forest

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

From three visits to York he's won a Gimcrack and finished an unlucky-in-running second in this 12 months ago; gelding operation has triggered a further upturn in his fortunes, winning Listed/Group 2 races over this trip (good ground) on either side of a close fifth in the 6f Group 1 sprint at Royal Ascot (running on); it was his second run in as many days at Glorious Goodwood (after winning the Lennox) when traffic issues scuppered all hope in the Sussex Stakes; the worry is this week's rain as he's had precious little racing on ground softer than good and hasn't shone when he has.

11/2

7th

2

(5)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Goodwood

Lake Forest

9st 10lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Gelded prior to this season's impressive win at Haydock (7f Listed) and respectable fifth at Royal Ascot (6f Group 1); his 1m form comprises a respectable fifth in the 2025 Queen Anne and two lesser efforts on Australian soil; still needs to prove he's a genuine miler but he arrived late to win the 7f Group 2 Lennox here yesterday and is probably in the form of his life.

12/1

1st

2

(4)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Lake Forest

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Gelded prior to impressive win at Haydock (7f Listed) and respectable fifth at Royal Ascot (6f Group 1) this season; fared best of the runners from off the pace when second to Witness Stand in this contest 12 months ago; top on ratings in this bid to go one better.

6/4

Form: 20-211 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
4yo for whom things have clicked in a big way this season; impressive in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) and followed up in Group 2 Summer Mile there last month; did well in the latter to overhaul one who had built a clear lead; respected now in a Group 1.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Newbury

Never So Brave

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

7f wins include the Group 1 City Of York Stakes last summer; not quite at his best this year, although a sixth in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month (80-1) was no disgrace; back down in grade and returns to his optimum distance so should be thereabouts.

3/1

6th

3

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:10 Goodwood

Never So Brave

9st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Proved somewhat resurgent with second-place finish behind Qirat over 7f at York last time, the C&D of his Group 1 success last August; however, faces a stiffer assignment back up in trip/class and possibly isn't crying out for this return to 1m, despite being a distance winner.

50/1

2nd

3

(5)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:58 York

Never So Brave

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Smart performer; completed a notable hat-trick (on good to firm ground) last summer, culminating in Group 1 honours over C&D; avoids a penalty for that success and holds a leading chance assuming he's back in similar form; best to forgive Epsom Group 3 effort last time (unsuited by the way the race unfolded).

4/5

Form: -37014 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Something to find against the principals today; however, this front-runner made it 3-3 at York when landing the Group 3 Criterion Stakes (7f, good) two starts ago and there can be optimism that he'll make another bold bid at his favourite track; each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:19 Newmarket (July)

Quinault

9st 3lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Stuart Williams

12-time winner, including 2024 edition of this race; has a bit to prove after two down-the-field finishes but faced tough task in Group 1 July Cup here last time and he looked as good as ever when creditable third in Group 3 on Rowley Mile here (6f, good) in April; in the shake-up if back on song.

10/1

11th

6

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Quinault

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Multiple winner, most recently when sent over to Qatar in February, but his form has regressed since and this is a difficult task even if a revival materialises; gained his C&D wins at handicap/Listed level; yet to score above Group 3.

33/1

11th

11

(13)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Quinault

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner who has a strike-rate of 12-34 overall and 3-4 at York, the most recent course success in 7f Group 3 last June (equally effective at 6f); ties in with some of today's opponents on penultimate effort; removal of usual hood backfired last time; likely to go well.

10/1

Form: 11-322 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Went very close in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) then narrowly failed to overhaul Qirat in the Group 1 Sussex at Goodwood (1m, good), with the shock winner having been gifted a clear lead; today's drop back to 7f isn't an obvious positive but this three-time Group 1 winner is a class act who will be tough to beat if the distance isn't an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(15)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

Rosallion

9st 6lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Won the Irish Guineas (1m, good) and St James's Palace (1m here, good to firm) last season; 0-5 this term but has run some mighty races, going extremely close in the Queen Anne over C&D (good to firm) and doing likewise in the Moulin (1m, good to soft) last time; could be thereabouts once more.

5/1

7

(11)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Rosallion

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Went very close in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) then narrowly failed to overhaul Qirat in the Group 1 Sussex at Goodwood (1m, good), with the shock winner having been gifted a clear lead; today's drop back to 7f isn't an obvious positive but this three-time Group 1 winner is a class act who will be tough to beat if the distance isn't an issue.

6/4

4

(5)

30th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Rosallion

9st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Normally travels and quickens and is suited by good ground or firmer; sparkled in a truncated 2024 campaign that featured wins, looking better than the bare form, in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes (subsequently met with a setback); couple of encouraging efforts since returning to action, beaten only a whisker by Docklands when favourite for slowly run Queen Anne back at Royal Ascot latest; one of the main players.

9/2

Form: 4-1412 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
French-trained 3yo who has made all in two 7f Group 3s this season (good to soft/soft); won on good going last year (unraced on faster); again led when going very close in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville (7f, soft) last month; the first four finished in a heap in that latest contest but this improving colt is firmly in calculations nevertheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(4)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Maranoa Charlie

9st 3lb

J: Aurelien Lemaitre

T: Christopher Head

French-trained 3yo who has made all in two 7f Group 3s this season (good to soft/soft); won on good going last year (unraced on faster); again led when going very close in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville (7f, soft) last month; the first four finished in a heap in that latest contest but this improving colt is firmly in calculations nevertheless.

7/1

14/1

Form: 1-2465 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won 7f 2yo Group 3 last October and has hinted in two 1m Group 1s in France this season that 7f may be her best trip; Aidan O'Brien's sole representative and worth a second look but others have more substance to their claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

(3)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

Exactly

9st 0lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Some good runs in defeat in Group races this season, the best of them when close second to Fallen Angel in the Matron at Leopardstown (1m, good to yielding) in September; very soft ground may not have suited at Longchamp a fortnight ago but others have a lot more substance to their claims.

50/1

10

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

16:25 Leopardstown

Exactly

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: A P O’Brien

Won 7f 2yo Group 3 here last October and started the new season with a 7f Group 3 second here; has come up short in four Group 1 outings since then, including sixth behind Cercene in the Coronation and fifth behind Fallen Angel in the Prix Rothschild.

14/1

11

(10)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Exactly

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Won 7f 2yo Group 3 last October and has hinted in two 1m Group 1s in France this season that 7f may be her best trip; Aidan O'Brien's sole representative and worth a second look but others have more substance to their claims.

14/1

Non-runners

Ten Bob Tony

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.50
Straight Forecast £40.37
Tricast £351.79
Trifecta £186.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Never So Brave

RP RATINGS:

Rosallion

Daily Mail:

Maranoa Charlie

SPOTLIGHT:

Quinault

POSTDATA:

Audience

D Express:

Lake Forest

Daily Record:

Maranoa Charlie

LAMBOURN:

Never So Brave

The Times:

Never So Brave

The Guardian:

Never So Brave

Telegraph:

Rosallion

Daily Mirror:

Rosallion

The Sun:

Rosallion

The Star:

Quinault

NEWMARKET:

Audience