Tomorrow / 13.50 York

13.50

Good To Soft

Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £99242.5
  • 1m 0f 177y
  • Class 1
  • 13 runners
ITV
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Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 1-1653 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket (1m1f, good) on reappearance and mid-division in Group 1s on next two runs; third of five to subsequent International winner Item here (10.2f, good to firm) last time and has leading claims back down in trip/grade; cheekpieces go on; has won on good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

14:35 York

Damysus

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Second to Pride Of Arras in last year's Dante over C&D; looked set for a stellar 2026 when trouncing five rivals in Group 3 at Newmarket (1m1f, good) on reappearance, but hasn't repeated the form in 1m Group 1s since; stepping back up in distance looks a sensible move and he's the one to beat judged on that standout Newmarket effort.

3/1

5th

2

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

Damysus

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Record is 4-8, the most recent success gained comfortably in Newmarket Group 3 on seasonal debut when completing a 1m2f/1m1f hat-trick; disappointing in the Lockinge (1m) since, not looking entirely beaten by the drop back in trip, but he's difficult to write off having been broadly progressive otherwise; rebound is possible.

14/1

Form: -53101 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Unplaced favourite in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) but bounced back to win the competitive Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood (1m, good to firm) three weeks ago; defied joint-top weight last time and he could give a good account now up in grade; has shown promise on soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(20)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Archivist

9st 12lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Contrasting performances since fitted with hood, winning readily at Meydan but disappointing favourite in the Royal Hunt Cup returned to British soil; something to prove off an unchanged mark, which remains 10lb above the last one he raced off prior to UAE stint.

16/1

20th

6

(18)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Archivist

9st 7lb

J: James McDonald

T: Hamad Al Jehani

In good form at Meydan this year for new yard, most recently scoring readily in first-time hood to take his 1m record to 22111 (all wins on good/firmer); may have even more to offer over this trip in the retained headgear; sound claims.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 125367 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Unraced on slow ground; won two handicaps in a row at Meydan (1m1f/9.5f, good) in February before Group 2 second there (1m1f, good), and he returned from a break with good third in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); things haven't gone to plan on his two starts since but a line can be put through Goodwood as he got no run; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Dividend

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Won two handicaps in a row at Meydan (1m1f/9.5f, good) in February before Group 2 second there (1m1f, good); returned from break with good third in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm); flopped at Sandown four weeks ago but very much of interest on his earlier form.

8/1

6th

2

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Dividend

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

In great form since wearing cheekpieces, completing a handicap double at Meydan then running well in better races, latest at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm; Listed) back on home soil; solid claims in the retained headgear.

11/2

Form: 996-22

Last run: 97 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
0-6 in Group/Listed races since debut win in 2024, and others have stronger recent form; however, he's been a close second in Listed races on both starts this year, weaving around runners before keeping on strongly at Leopardstown (1m, yielding to soft) on the first occasion then perhaps finding the drop back to 7f against him at the Curragh (good); he's Aidan O'Brien's sole runner and this new trip could be right up his street; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:56 Naas

Expanded

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

2024 Dewhurst runner-up on soft; highly tried in a three-run campaign last season, which never really took off; seasonal return was much more positive when coming home strongly from off the pace in a Leopardstown Listed contest (1m, yielding to soft) to take the runner-up spot behind a better-fancied stablemate; big player but this better ground is a small concern.

9/4

Form: -71973

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
All starts on good/faster; won the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood last August and bagged 1m Listed win at Ascot this May; close third in hot 1m1f conditions race at Goodwood three weeks ago and could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Jonquil

9st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Won the Group 2 Celebration Mile here (good to firm) last August and bagged Listed win at Ascot (1m, good to firm) in May; below par in Group 1 and Group 2 races on last two runs and entitled to respect back down in grade.

11/2

7th

4

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:27 Ascot

Jonquil

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Won the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood (good to firm) last August; mixed results in international races on next three starts but back on the domestic scene with a defeat of Holloway Boy in a Listed race over the straight 1m here (good to firm) in May; too keen and never involved back in Group 1 company at Newbury since, with reopposing pair More Thunder and Zeus Olympios comfortably ahead.

14/1

Form: 81-525

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Listed winner at Goodwood (1m2f, good to soft) last September who has run well in defeat in Listed/Group 2 races this season; however, he needs something extra today and has never really shone in five previous visits to York.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:27 Ascot

Naqeeb

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Won a 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood (good to soft) last September; built on reappearance fifth to Jonquil and Holloway Boy in a Listed race over the straight 1m here when narrowly denied a second 1m2f Goodwood Listed success seven weeks ago; more needed at this level and his peak RPRs have been achieved over longer trips.

33/1

Form: -42521 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Went very close in Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom in June (8.5f, good to soft; won same race 12 months earlier) and has continued in good form, justifying even-money favouritism in Listed race at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last time; he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 67-942 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Slow ground would be a worry (non-runner due to unsuitable good to soft going here on Thursday) and he's unraced over this far; however, this front-runner has an extremely solid record in 1m handicaps here and was a Group 2 runner-up at Ascot (1m) last July; capable of bold bid if conditions suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

26th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

16:00 Pontefract

Point Lynas

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Front-runner; successful in this race in 2024 but that wide-margin win represents his last victory; solid fourth in a good York handicap in May; should be in the thick of it.

9/4

Form: 81-354

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Group 2 winner at Longchamp (1m, very soft) last October; not at the same level in the US this year on his three starts for Miguel Clement but those were on firm ground and he could be a different proposition now back on a slower surface on his first start for George Scott; he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 442412 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
3yo who has got better with each run this season and impressed in the Group 3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown (1m1f, good) last month before finishing second in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) under a 3lb penalty (same today); runner-up in a Group 2 on yielding to soft last September; this versatile sort could be in the mix back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(7)

30th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Geryon

9st 6lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

Ran in two Group 2s as 2yo and progressive at Listed/Group 3 levels this season, winning well at Leopardstown (1m1f, good) two weeks ago when he reverted to front-running; probably stayed 1m2f on penultimate start, without shouting that he's a 1m4f horse.

4/1

1st

5

(4)

16th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

19:10 Leopardstown

Geryon

9st 0lb

J: Colin Keane

T: G M Lyons

Smart Curragh form at two; beat top-class filly Kensington Lane on debut and then finished second in Group 2 races won by Constitution River and Hawk Mountain; 2026 form includes links to top-class performers Thesecretadversary and Causeway; a promoted second behind Isaac Newton in a 1m1f Listed event at Navan; reversed form with that rival on latest.

5/2

Form: 121-30 C

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won on debut here (7f, good) last June and made it 2-3 when making all in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) last October; reappeared with fine front-running third in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai Des Poulains at Longchamp (1m, very soft) in May; down the field in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly (10.5f, good) three weeks later but has had a break since and is very much of interest judged on his previous form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(1)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Hankelow

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Cost 210,000gns as a foal and 750,000gns as a yearling; beaten only a whisker in Doncaster Listed event when attempting to follow up his York win (both 7f, good); top on the figures and promises to do better still.

9/4

Form: 2-2411 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Promise on first three starts (including on soft/good to soft) before winning Wolverhampton maiden (8.6f, AW) in June; followed up in big-field handicap at the Curragh (1m1f, good) in first-time cheekpieces (retained); this is a much tougher test of his credentials and Tom Marquand rides stablemate Saber Strike, but he's very well bred and in top hands; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(10)

28th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

17:15 Curragh

King Of Earth

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Promise on turf before taking advantage of a good opportunity on AW at Wolverhampton; mark left unchanged; cheekpieces added, merits respect.

13/2

1st

5

(11)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

King Of Earth

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Has shown clear promise with second-place finishes at Newbury (1m, soft) last October and Doncaster (7f, good to soft) in March (winner has won again since); beaten 2l in a decent Newbury maiden (1m, good) since and this looks a good opportunity on AW debut.

5/4

Form: 1-1634

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
All five starts on good/good to firm; made it 2-2 with 7f Listed win at Newmarket in May and has shaped in 7f/1m Group 3 races on his last two starts (including here) as though this new trip could be a good fit; not discounted in first-time tongue-tie; the blinkers adopted last time are left off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Goodwood

Saber Strike

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Ran below expectations when a warm order for the Jersey at Royal Ascot (2-2 previously) but bounced back with a creditable effort against his elders in 7f Group 3 at York a week later, while leaving the impression he'll be suited by this step up to 1m combined with first-time headgear; remains of interest, with further progress still plausible.

9/2

3rd

6

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:58 York

Saber Strike

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Ran below expectations when a warm order for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last Saturday but was drawn a bit higher than ideal, the way the race panned out, and finishing sixth of 16 wasn't a total disaster; 2-2 previously, including 7f Listed win at Newmarket, and can be treated as retaining potential; respected in receipt of 9lb from his elders.

13/8

Betting Forcast

5/2 Damysus, 14/1 Archivist, 20/1 Dividend, 14/1 Expanded, 12/1 Jonquil, 25/1 Naqeeb, 6/1 Persica, 16/1 Point Lynas, 16/1 Ridari, 11/2 Geryon, 7/1 Hankelow, 33/1 King Of Earth, 10/1 Saber Strike

Verdict

3yos have won three of the last four runnings and HANKELOW holds appealing claims judged on his fine third in the French 2,000 Guineas. He has had a break since a lesser effort over further in the Prix du Jockey Club. Aidan O'Brien's sole contender Expanded could relish going beyond 1m for the first time and is second choice ahead of Ridari, for whom firm ground may have been to blame for a below-par stint in the US. Damysus is another leading contender back down in trip/grade, while Dividend and Persica, among others, could also run well.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hankelow

LAMBOURN:

Jonquil

RP RATINGS:

Damysus

POSTDATA:

Point Lynas

TOPSPEED:

Hankelow