Idaho, York 3:05pm
Idaho showed himself to be a very smart performer when finishing a two and three quarter lengths third behind Harzand in the Epsom Derby in June and again ran well to reduce the deficit between himself and that rival in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh last time.
He didn’t appear to have any excuses that time, making smooth headway as the field turned into the straight and simply found a stronger stayer too good on the day. Has shown enough in four starts this year to suggest he is well up to winning a race of this nature (only has a maiden win to his name at present).
Aidan O’Brien’s runner – in receipt of 3 lb from King Edward VII winner Across The Stars – is entitled to be the price he is on form and can take this Group 2 contest on his way to another crack at the highest level.
Gallop over to all the latest odds at York this week on PP.com
Postponed, York 3:40pm
Roger Varian’s colt was an impressive winner of his most recent outing in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom.
He travelled smoothly into contention as the field entered the final two furlongs and pulled four and a half lengths clear of the Breeders’ Cup winner, Found, without being asked for maximum effort by jockey Andrea Atzeni.
A late setback deprived him of the opportunity to defend his King George crown at Ascot, but he is reported to have recovered well since and – 3 lb clear of Eclipse-winner Hawbill on weight-adjusted Timeform ratings – Postponed is expected to overcome concerns about the drop back to the 10f trip.
He can consolidate his position as the best middle-distance horse in training. Ballydoyle’s Highland Reel was a worthy King George winner in Postponed’s absence and could be the one to chase him home.