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Stayers and sprinters take their turn as the headline acts on day three of York.
LONSDALE CUP (14:25)
The Lonsdale Cup involves a fascinating rematch of horses involved in the bizarre Goodwood Cup where Tom Marquand and Quickthorn disappeared off into the Sussex countryside never to be caught.
The importance of pace in a race was highlighted on Wednesday at York when Frankie Dettori went from zero (on board Gregory) to hero (on Mostahdaf), with the latter involving a key factor that Marquand had employed with Quickthorn – the element of surprise. Quickthorn had adopted those tactics before but had been readily reeled in on recent starts. The opposing riders were guilty of allowing him to build up an insurmountable track position advantage –something that will be much harder to achieve this time around.
Personal preference is for the still lightly-raced COURAGE MON AMI 100/30 to confirm his Gold Cup placings over Coltrane even allowing for the 3lb penalty he carries for that win. His victory in the premier staying race of the season was on just his fourth career run and he still looks to have more upside than the rest of the field. Giavellotto, winner of the Yorkshire Cup here in May (with Quickthorn behind) could emerge as his chief rival.
NUNTHORPE STAKES (15:35)
HIGHFIELD PRINCESS 6/4 can retain her crown in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes. She completed her transition from 57-rated handicapper to Group 1 winner in this race last year and has held her form really well again this season.
It will not be plain sailing, however. Bradsell dropped to 5f for the first time at Royal Ascot, lowered her colours in the King’s Stand and has been kept fresh for this, while the supplementing of two-year-old Big Evs adds an extra dimension to this year’s renewal.
Juveniles receive upwards of a stone and a half from their older rivals to compensate for their lack of full physical development, but in the last 25 years Kingsgate Native is the only one of the 16 who attempted it to come out on top, though The Platinum Queen (2022) and Acapulco (2015) have come close.
REST OF THE CARD
Away from the feature races PARADIAS 17/2 can make a bold bid to carry top weight to victory in the opener (13:50). He certainly has the physique for it along with the assistance of Rossa Ryan, who has had a stellar season at the track so far (see below). He could not sustain his effort at Goodwood having made a big move into the race and, if asked to improve more gradually, may well be seen to better effect.
ROWAYEH 11/4 rounds off the York selections in the Fillies’ Handicap (16:10). He is just a simple, straightforward progressive handicapper who has improved with every run, culminating in a third in a competitive Fillies’ Handicap at Goodwood. She steps up to 10 furlongs for the first time and still looks one step ahead of the handicapper.
JOCKEYS FOR COURSES
- Hamilton – Shane Gray (29 wins from 212 rides including three winners from his last eight, with an overall actual/expected ratio of 1.47)
- Newmarket (July Course) – P. J. McDonald (near 20 per cent strike rate with 24 winners from 123 rides and a massive A/E of 1.83)
- York – Rossa Ryan (10/55 and an A/E of 1.87, with half his winners this season coming at this track)
- Killarney – Darragh O’Keeffe (19/109 with an A/E of 1.47)
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
There have been few shrewder purchases out of sellers in recent seasons than when current connections went to £23k to buy AGGAGIO SP out of a three-runner race at Goodwood in August 2021. That was his first run at the Sussex track where his career record now reads four wins and two placings from eight starts.
Those two unplaced efforts have both come on his last two visits, but he has the ideal opportunity to boss a small field here with the cut in the ground that suits (Goodwood, 18:05).
FRIDAY SELECTIONS:
PARADIAS 17/2 (York, 13:50)
COURAGE MON AMI 100/30 (York, 14:25)
HIGHFIELD PRINCESS 6/4 (York, 15:35)
ROWAYEH 11/4 (York, 16:10)
AGGAGIO SP (Goodwood, 18:05)