York 14:25
Persuasion was very impressive on his only start at Goodwood and he can improve enough to take this and continue his trainer Charlie Hills’ excellent recent record in the race.
That Goodwood win came in a very good time for a debutant and he was eased late on suggesting there was plenty more in the tank. His stable won this last year with subsequent Irish Guineas winner Phoenix of Spain, and this one has the potential to reach that type of level – he’ll go very close here.
York 15:35
Crystal Ocean rightly heads the market, but I think he’s worth taking on – and the one to do that with is King Of Comedy.
Crystal Ocean really struggled to maintain his form after the King George last year, and given what a gruelling race he had this year against Enable, there’s a chance he’ll be below his best, particularly over this shorter trip.
King Of Comedy has been very impressive on the clock on nearly all his starts, and could well improve for this extra trip. He looks to hold a massive chance of giving his trainer John Gosden another big race win.
York 16:15
Blue Laureate has been a model of inconsistency this season, though I think there’s a good chance we could see him produce his best in a race that should be run to suit.
The key piece of form that makes him interesting is his run at this meeting last year, when a very good 7th of 16 in a hot renewal of the Melrose, beaten only 4 lengths. He’s drawn high, which the stats say is an advantage over this trip and his hold up style suits this track.
His trainer Ian Williams has a very good recent record at getting his horses to perform at this meeting (Run-To-Form of 82% in handicaps at the Ebor meeting since 2013) and this one looks primed for a big run.
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