Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)

Won 7f Group 2 in Saudi Arabia in February 2024 and went close in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle (6f, AW) this June; however, two lesser runs have followed and he's up against it today even if back to his best.

Second in this in 2023 (good to firm); won the Group 1 Lockinge (1m) and Group 2 Lennox (7f) last year and a reproduction of that form would give him leading claims; however, below his best since finishing fourth of six in this 12 months ago; blinkers replace the cheekpieces adopted last time.

Won the Group 2 Gimcrack here in 2yo season in 2023; not beaten far when fifth in Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) and his run here next time may have come too soon; beaten nearly 3l when second in Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good) latest; may find a few too good.

4yo for whom things have clicked in a big way this season; impressive in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) and followed up in Group 2 Summer Mile there last month; did well in the latter to overhaul one who had built a clear lead; respected now in a Group 1.

Supplemented to act as pacemaker in Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (1m, good) last month, when he slipped the field and won at 150-1; that took Goodwood record to 3-3; subsequently supplemented for this race at cost of £40,000; there have to be major doubts about whether he can reproduce that latest form, and on his previous exploits he has something to find; first run here.