15.00
Good To SoftSky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)
- Prize money: £340260
- 0m 7f 0y
- Class 1
- 14 runners
Runners: 14 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Form: 7-1517 C
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 2 (5) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 10lb |
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 |
9st 6lb |
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: 10-926 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 3 (1) |
28th Jul 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
Creditable second, conceding weight all round, in 6f AW Group 3 at Newcastle latest start; readily bagged Group 2 honours at Doncaster on last attempt over 7f on home soil and may be capable of further progress at this distance; one of the main contenders. |
5/1 |
|
2nd 1 (4) |
27th Jun 2026 Standard To Slow 0m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 10lb |
1-1 on AW, namely a 7f novice a Kempton last March; recorded a big personal best when winning the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster (7f, soft) and his two defeats since have been excusable; tough task trying to give weight away back sprinting after 133 days off. |
11/2 |
Form: 15-271 D
Last run: 72 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 (4) |
11th Jun 2026 Soft 0m 7f 35y |
9st 9lb |
Rediscovered his best with a visor added last summer, landing three handicaps, including at Ascot (7f, soft) off a mark of 103; cracking return when beaten 0.5l by Dreamliner in Group 3 at Saint-Cloud in March on soft; didn't come on as expected when beaten 7.5l into seventh by Wannabe Royal in Listed race at Naas 25 days ago; nothing got into it from off the pace that day so shouldn't be judged too harshly; handles soft and the one to beat. |
7/4 |
|
7th 4 (9) |
17th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y |
9st 11lb |
British raider rediscovered his best when a visor was added last June, winning three handicaps from five starts, the last being the valuable Challenge Cup (7f, soft) at Ascot; ran right up to form on his stakes debut in a Saint-Cloud Group 3 (1m, soft) for seasonal return when a close runner-up; entitled to improve for that and top rated. |
7/2 |
Form: 11-416 BF
Last run: 67 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 6 (1) |
16th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
High-class miler domestically and internationally, predominantly on good and quicker ground in accordance with his bright turn of foot; readily justified strong market support in the Lockinge at Newbury most recently, registering a fifth success at the top level and looking better than ever; bit to prove at Royal Ascot, having flopped badly in the 2024 St James's Palace Stakes and finished only fourth in this race last year; otherwise a leading player on the figures. |
7/4 |
|
1st 7 (3) |
16th May 2026 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
High-class miler domestically and internationally, predominantly on good and quicker ground; lacked recent match practice when only fourth in this race 12 months ago; bagged the 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes in 2024 and completed a North American Grade 1 double, including Breeders' Cup Mile success, last autumn; had no luck in running at Keeneland on reappearance; leading player on best figures. |
9/2 |
Form: 1/13-1 D
Last run: 56 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 (1) |
27th Jun 2026 Standard To Slow 0m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Ended 2024 with a runaway win in a 7f handicap at Southwell; created another big impression when winning a conditions event at Thirsk (7f, good) on last season's reappearance and he was a good third of eight upped to Group 3 company when last seen a year ago; drops to 6f for the first time but this strong traveller should have the pace to cope; still has potential. |
7/1 |
|
5 (2) |
28th Jun 2025 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Unexposed 4yo who was impressive when taking his career record to 4-6 in smart 7f conditions event at Thirsk (good) on reappearance in April; subsequently recruited by Wathnan Racing; looks one who can make his presence felt in this higher grade. |
3/1 |
Form: /851-7
Last run: 91 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 1 (10) |
23rd May 2026 Good To Yielding 0m 6f 0y |
9st 8lb |
Looked smart when landing the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury (6f, heavy) on final juvenile start; beat only one rival in his first two races last term; produced massive shock (200-1) when beating the favourite Lazaat in 6f Group 1 at Ascot last October (good); wind-surgery evidently the key to that success; little mileage on the clock, fascinating prospect for this season. |
7/2 |
Form: -25712 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 (8) |
28th Jul 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
Progressive handicapper who landed the Hunt Cup from favourable draw at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) most recently; faces a stiffer task on these terms but possibly hasn't reached his ceiling yet and a strike-rate of 5-6 over 7f bodes well. |
10/1 |
|
1st 28 (33) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 2 |
9st 0lb |
Failed to fire in French Listed race last time; broadly progressive in handicaps and went close in the Lincoln when bidding for a five-timer (ran creditably in Spring Cup next time); however, chance partly depends on the weather, as he's ideally suited by ground softer than good. |
16/1 |
Form: 9-1223 BF
Last run: 42 days
W: 9st 8lb
7 yo Horse
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 (8) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Japanese horse who is a two-time Grade 1 scorer on home soil and has finished a creditable second in the last two runnings of the 6f Group 1 at Royal Ascot, beaten only a nose by Almeraq the latest time; could go one better at Newmarket, as was the case with compatriot Agnes World who was runner-up at Royal Ascot prior to winning this contest in 2000. |
100/30 |
|
2nd 14 (18) |
20th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Two-time Japanese Grade 1 winner who was a clear second in this race last year (good to firm); he's taking the same route as last season, again arriving after finishing second to the Hong Kong phenomenon Ka Ying Rising in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin in April; key player. |
4/1 |
Form: -48114 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 7 (7) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 10lb |
Came off the good pace set by Opera Ballo when 50-1 winner of the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last time, completing a quickfire June double that was initiated over 7f at Epsom; still unexposed as a miler and has frame possibilities provided the latest piece of form is backed up. |
14/1 |
|
1st 8 (8) |
16th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Acts particularly well on ground softer than good; very useful 7f performer who prevailed narrowly at Epsom ten days ago for a second success in the Group 3 that was formerly the John of Gaunt Stakes and run at Haydock; ran creditably over 1m in 2024 German 2,000 Guineas but this is a stiffer test at the trip and a stiffer assignment to boot. |
50/1 |
Form: 9-1011 C
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 5lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 (4) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 1 |
9st 9lb |
Classy 6f performer who has been placed in Group 1s at that trip and she won a Group 3 at York (6f, good to firm) this month, for which she carries a 3lb penalty today; untested at 7f but she frequently finishes her races strongly, as was the case when fourth in the 2024 Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville over 6.5f; leading contender if staying the trip. |
11/4 |
|
1st 3 (1) |
10th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
Won this on good to soft in 2024 and also close second in C&D Group 2 on good to firm last year; reappeared with Listed win at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) in May; eased off as if amiss (got upset in stalls) in Royal Ascot Group 1 since but turns out again three weeks later and will have a big say if back near her best. |
7/2 |
Form: 11-3 C
Last run: 20 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 (9) |
2nd Aug 2026 Good 0m 6f 17y Class 1 |
9st 1lb |
2-2 as a 2yo, following his debut success in a novice at Thirsk (6f, good) with a ready win in the Group 2 Gimcrack at York (6f, good to firm) last August; that form hasn't worked out and his subsequent absence is a slight concern; has the highest BHA rating in the field but he's drawn widest and there are grounds for taking him on. |
3/1 |
|
5 (6) |
22nd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 0m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Once-raced colt who brings potential; it's difficult to go wild about his 1l success at Thirsk (6f, good; 5-1 from 7-1) but a Middle Park entry confirms that he's evidently held in high regard by connections; indeed, he's described as a "proper horse" by his part-owner; interesting contender. |
9/2 |
Form: -27441 D
Last run: 34 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 (5) |
19th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 0y |
9st 3lb |
Won a Group 1 over 6f here on his final juvenile start (good); runner-up behind subsequent Royal Ascot and Group 1 winner on his reappearance in a Group 3 over 7f at Leopardstown in April (good to yielding); probably not up to the top level as shown in three Group 1 runs over 1m since, but his latest two were meritable; big danger dropping in class and trip; top rated of the field too; stable a little cold currently though. |
100/30 |
Form: 11-460 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 11 (10) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Ran creditably in the Poulains on seasonal debut when bidding for a French Group 1 hat-trick; dropped away to finish last of six, having been pestered for the lead, in the St James's Palace Stakes since; that latest effort doesn't reflect his ability but he's again the stable second string behind Gstaad and remains below the standard required to win this prize. |
40/1 |
|
6th 5 (4) |
16th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 0m 7f 213y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Stablemate of Gstaad; appears versatile as regards ground; tough colt who proved a useful maiden prior to ending last season with a hat-trick when upped to 7f/1m in major 2yo races, including two French Group 1s; creditable fourth when favourite for the Poulains at Longchamp on reappearance; has significant form, may rate higher still over this distance and looks set to have his own way up front (gained his wins making all); one of the main players. |
11/1 |
Form: 114-25 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 12 (11) |
29th Jul 2026 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Game colt whose record of 4-5 as a 2yo featured wins in the Vintage Stakes at this meeting and National Stakes at the Curragh; latter is one of two pieces of form that tie him in with Gstaad; respectable second in the Greenham at Newbury (kept to 7f) on reappearance but missed the 2,000 Guineas due to a setback; ready for a crack at 1m and, having raced only once this season, there's still some unfinished business about him; adds interest. |
20/1 |
|
2nd 8 (6) |
18th Apr 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Cracking purchase at 35,000gns as a yearling, and developed into a smart colt during a 2025 season that featured wins in three major 2yo races, notably the National Stakes at the Curragh (7f, yielding) where his gameness was confirmed; handled the July course at Newmarket in the summer but proved all at sea on the Rowley Mile in the Dewhurst, losing his unbeaten record (still ran respectably in fourth place); he's the pick on form and launches 3yo campaign in a race that his trainer's father Fulke won twice. |
2/1 |
Betting Forcast
9/2 Lake Forest, 20/1 Marvelman, 40/1 Native Warrior, 3/1 Notable Speech, 16/1 Paborus, 33/1 Powerful Glory, 14/1 Rogue Diplomat, 10/1 Satono Reve, 8/1 Ten Bob Tony, 16/1 Flora Of Bermuda, 25/1 Lifeplan, 14/1 Power Blue, 16/1 Puerto Rico, 11/2 Zavateri
Verdict
The solitary Group 1 over 7f in Britain has unsurprisingly produced a stellar field. This week's rain has put a different complexion on matters, casting doubts over the persuasive faster-ground credentials of Notable Speech, Lake Forest, Zavateri and Japanese runner Satono Reve. There are no such concerns with Rogue Diplomat who showed he belonged at Group level at Goodwood, Ten Bob Tony who is hard to knock, or Puerto Rico who must enter the equation on his slow-ground form. However, it could pay to jump aboard Andrew Balding's accelerating bandwagon as Flora Of Bermuda broke new ground in winning over 7f last time and her course record bodes well, and then there's MARVELMAN. He delivered a clear career best the last time he raced on ground with any soft in the description and, after a perfectly acceptable return to Britain on the AW, his run behind Lake Forest and Rogue Diplomat at Goodwood essentially counts for nothing when he pulled his rider's arms out for the majority of that slowly run race.[Alistair Jones]Selections
LAMBOURN:
Ten Bob Tony