1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes (Group 2)

Won Group 3 at Deauville (soft) as a 2yo but that surface left him cold when last seen at Ascot in October; had looked as though he might be a high flyer in the sprinting division earlier in the year, when coming clear in a Listed Newbury race before landing a Group 3 there (good to firm); had a draw excuse at Haydock in September but looks well berthed today and this could be the time to catch him.

Two barnstorming wins against his own age group when dropped to 6f, in a Group 2 at Haydock (soft) and the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Ascot (good to firm) but he didn't cope as well against the older sprinters in the July Cup at Newmarket nor did he redeem himself in the Sprint Cup at Haydock when last seen in September; has had wind surgery since though and the earlier promise can yet be fulfilled.

Won twice over 6f as a 2yo but he's raced over 5f for the last two years and, although not far behind the best in the division in 2024, he has something to prove on the trip score; flexible regarding the ground but his best effort, when winning a Group 2 at Haydock last May, came on soft and the chances are that he'll come on for the run.

Had some wobbles in 2024 but he's maintained a high standard on AW and turf this year, undoubtedly better than the bare result when third, after hampered and having to be switched, in a 6f Doncaster Listed race in March (good to soft; under penalty); however, the bar is much higher here.

Once again he had too much power for his rivals from the front when making it 4-4 on AW in a 6f Listed race at Newcastle in November; has yet to prove himself on turf but this will be the first time he's had the right set-up on grass, as efforts to restrain him proved futile over 1m (2,000 Guineas) and 7f (Group 3) 12 months ago and he didn't cope with testing ground when dropped to 6f in August; a healthy early lead looks likely and even these quick sprinters may find it hard to keep him in their sights.