Diploma, York 2:15pm
The last filly or mare to win the Group 3 Strensall Stakes was the three-year-old Red Bloom in 2004.
Her trainer Sir Michael Stoute could add to his tally in the race with a very similar type in Diploma. The Queen’s runner has a bit more on her plate here taking on some proven Group-race performers – and her male counterparts for the first time.
But she looked a filly going places when landing a Listed event at this track at the end of last month and can take the step up in class in her stride.
Diploma has in fact won twice at this course this year, both over the extended mile and a quarter, and she shouldn’t prove inconvenienced by the drop back to nine furlongs judged on the way she tanked through her latest assignment.
Gallop over to all the latest odds on PP.com
Blue Point, York 3.25pm
This looks a strong renewal of the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes. Blue Point failed to justify short odds in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood but he’d previously looked highly-talented and that latest experience should have brought him on further.
Godolphin’s colt beat a host of subsequent improvers when winning at Nottingham on his debut in June and produced a deeply impressive display when following up in a minor event at Doncaster in mid-July by 11 lengths.
He couldn’t build on that form when second to the battle-hardened Mehmas at Goodwood but was only beaten a neck and it was his relative lack of experience – rather than talent – that seemed to be the difference between him and the winner on the day.