Relentless Voyager, ridden by Oisin Murphy, on his way to winning the Northern Dancer (Picture: SportingLife.com
York Saturday Formguides And Selections
1 2:50 PM SA Time – Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)
SEE THE FIRE holds an outstanding chance of making the most of her allowances and a first Group success could be imminent for the daughter of Sea The Stars. Runner-up in a highly-competitive edition of the Nassau at Goodwood last time, the selection should have no issues with dropping back a furlong and she can go one better. Fellow three-year-old Alyanaabi also has a live chance on these terms, although Enfjaar adds significant firepower given he won the John Smith’s Cup in fine style here last month.
Top Tip: See The Fire (9)
Watch out for: Alyanaabi (7)
2 3:25 PM – Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Dramatic Star and Too Bossy For Us are notable contenders for the shortlist. However, THE EQUATOR was a respectable fifth in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot on his penultimate start and the son of Galileo didn’t get the rub of the green at Navan most recently. He is a much more intriguing proposition with blinkers added this time and gets the vote as a result. Reaching High could prove to the main threat following his impressive win at Wolverhampton last time.
Top Tip: The Equator (1)
Watch out for: Reaching High (7)
3 4:00 PM – Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 2)
Lockinge winner AUDIENCE was too good for Art Power (runner-up) and Kinross (third) when triumphant in the Lennox at Goodwood last month and, with this course likely to play to his strengths, the son of Iffraaj can further enhance his portfolio of Group-race wins. The only three-year-old in the field, Lake Forest, who was runner-up in the Commonwealth Cup, is the young pretender on the scene and might provide the sternest test for the selection with the longer trip a possible source of improvement.
Top Tip: Audience (2)
Watch out for: Lake Forest (8)
4 4:35 PM – Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Magical Zoe was far from disgraced when making the frame in Group 3 company at Fairyhouse last month and now makes her handicap debut on the Flat, so she warrants respect for the Henry De Bromhead team. However, RELENTLESS VOYAGER looks the way to go. The son of Ulysses was only a length behind the subsequent Geoffrey Freer winner Al Aasy in a Group 3 at Goodwood last time and beat Ziggy (second) by three lengths when last seen in the handicap ranks at Epsom in June. Queenstown and Epic Poet are others to consider.
Top Tip: Relentless Voyager (1)
Watch out for: Magical Zoe (8)
5 5:10 PM – Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
DARE TO HOPE and Elmonjed both struck at this level on their latest outings, but the slight preference is for the former after his triumph in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon. Richard Fahey’s four-year-old was possibly worth more than the winning margin suggests on that occasion and a 6lb rise may underestimate his superiority. As for the latter, he showed improvement in first-time blinkers to gain his first success of the year at Windsor and it would be no surprise to see him feature off only 2lb higher. Apollo One beat Billyjoh (third) when hitting the crossbar in the Stewards’ Cup and can confirm that form.
Top Tip: Dare To Hope (9)
Watch out for: Elmonjed (14)
6 5:45 PM – Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed)
TROPICAL STORM may remain a maiden but his runner-up effort in the Norfolk on his penultimate outing appeals as the strongest form on offer. Dropping back in trip looks like a good move, having disappointed in the Richmond at Goodwood, and he tops the shortlist. Not beaten far in the Molecomb, Mr Lightside continues to progress and is a key player, along with Vingegaard and Make Haste. Turned out again quickly after breaking his maiden comfortably at Cork last week, Magnum Force must also enter calculations.
Top Tip: Tropical Storm (11)
Watch out for: Mr Lightside (8)
7 6:20 PM – Sky Bet Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
RATHGAR has shown his versatility of late with a taking success at Yarmouth on his penultimate start. The son of Ulysses has since run with plenty of credit at Chepstow, and this test should suit him as he looks to see off the Goodwood winner Paradias, and Ron O, who has not been outside the first three in his last three starts here. Dual Identity (fifth) and Bystander (sixth) both got going too late at Goodwood last time out, and they can have a say at a track that is likely to suit better.
Top Tip: Rathgar (14)
Watch out for: Ron O (7)
