Rosallion has been tipped to win the Gr 1 City Of York Stakes (Picture: Sky Sports Racing)
York Saturday Formguides And Selections
1 2:50 PM SA Time – Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3)
Bowmark is two from four, with both of his victories coming in novice company. The son of Kingman found the Prix du Jockey Club too much of an ask last time and will appreciate this easier assignment, but a chance can be taken on GLADIUS. Andrew Balding’s colt is unbeaten in two starts in handicaps, most recently scoring at Glorious Goodwood, and he continues to go from strength to strength. The son of Night Of Thunder has a lot to find on official ratings, but he is improving at a rapid rate of knots and may well be up to the task. King’s Gambit completes the shortlist.
Top Tip: Gladius (7)
Watch out for: Bowmark (6)
2 3:25 PM SA Time – Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
Golden Handshake, Fantasy World, Talismans Time and Pole Star are all bidding for hat-tricks, with slight preference of those for the Charlie Johnston-trained latter after his Yarmouth success last month. However, they might have to play supporting roles behind TARRIANCE, who has progressed in his four outings. The son of Frankel made a winning start in handicap company at Sandown and a 4lb rise might prove to be on the lenient side. With lots of improvement to come, he looks the one to side with.
Top Tip: Tarriance (3)
Watch out for: Pole Star (4)
3 4:00 PM SA Time – Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)
Audience was odds-on to land this prize last year but had to settle for fourth and faces much tougher opposition now, probably due to the now-Group 1 status of the event. Never So Brave has improved 14lb since switching to the Andrew Balding yard and merits the utmost respect, but it’s hard to get away from ROSALLION. Twice a Group 1 winner as a three-year-old, he has been unfortunate not to land another this season. Touched off in the Queen Anne before getting closest to shock Sussex Stakes hero Qirat at Goodwood, the son of Blue Point may just relish this drop in trip and can gain another top-level triumph.
Top Tip: Rosallion (7)
Watch out for: Never So Brave (4)
4 4:35 PM SA Time – Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
Willie Mullins has won this twice before, most recently with Absurde in 2023, and last year’s fifth Hipop De Loire is back for more off 3lb higher after an easy maiden hurdle win at Galway. He can go well but if FRENCH MASTER takes to a first-time visor, he may have the edge. Successful over this sort of trip at Goodwood and Ascot, he was only fifth in the Goodwood Cup but, back in handicap company, he could prove too good. Fleetfoot is just one other to consider, with his 4lb penalty unlikely to be enough to stop another bold effort.
Top Tip: French Master (1)
Watch out for: Hipop De Loire (2)
5 5:10 PM SA Time – Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Nimitz looks overpriced after finishing ninth at Goodwood when drawn away from the action and, with an added furlong, he could mount a challenge. Tropical Storm has a two-out-of-two record here but he needs to bounce back from a poor run at Ascot, and TWO TRIBES gets the nod. After supplementing his International triumph with an easy victory in the Stewards’ Cup, Richard Spencer’s four-year-old has been upped a further 8lb but Ryan Moore takes the ride and he can land the hat-trick.
Top Tip: Two Tribes (1)
Watch out for: Nimitz (19)
6 5:45 PM SA Time – Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed)
DICKENSIAN only found one too good in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and followed that up with a fine third in the Molecomb. A reproduction of either of those efforts would give the son of Pinatubo a big chance here. That said, this a very competitive event and Rydale Frosty was only narrowly behind the selection at Goodwood. David Simcock’s colt has to be of interest, while Military Code is another with strong form claims. The shortlist is completed by Revival Power and Silent Applause.
Top Tip: Dickensian (1)
Watch out for: Rydale Frosty (5)
7 6:20 PM SA Time – Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
Westridge was an impressive winner of a valuable handicap at Glorious Goodwood and has to be respected, although an 8lb rise demands more. As a result, preference is for GREEK ORDER, who has been running consistently well in top mile handicaps this year and the step up in trip could bring about improvement. Erzindjan’s fourth in the John Smith’s Cup over C&D brings him into the equation, while Marhaba Ghaiyyath and Tony Montana are others who could make the frame.
Top Tip: Greek Order (4)
Watch out for: Westridge (1)
