Can Karl Burke land another big race with juvenile 'everybody's talking about'?

Friday: 3.00 York
Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) | 6f | 2yo | ITV/RTV

Two dominant sprinters of the last decade in Muhaarar and Blue Point won the Gimcrack and this is an opportunity for Britain to establish its leading juvenile speedball.

Royal Scotsman sets the standard this season on Racing Post Ratings. The Gleneagles colt ran to 111 when victorious in the Richmond Stakes last time and that figure is equal to or superior than four of the last ten Gimcrack winners.

However, that success means he must carry a 3lb penalty. Lusail overcame the burden last term but that came in a below-average contest and the opposite is true for this season's running.

Royal Scotsman has run four times and arrives as one of the more exposed juveniles in the field. In unbeaten pair Marshman and Noble Style, he faces two highly regarded colts who have the capacity to rate much higher than we have seen.

Noble Style was ante-post favourite for the Coventry Stakes before injury ruled him out of the royal meeting and Marshman looked a superb prospect at Thirsk for Karl Burke, who landed the fillies' equivalent of the Gimcrack on Thursday.

Interestingly, the three market protagonists are drawn in stalls nine, 11 and 12 and therefore away from the far side where the starting boxes have been positioned.

The far side has been favoured by riders at York this week and Middle Park entry Never Just A Dream is interesting at a price from stall two. Never Just A Dream was a well-beaten favourite at Ascot on his debut but showed the benefit of that initial experience at Wolverhampton next time.

The son of No Nay Never defied a wide draw to make all in his novice and could feasibly bag the rail early and prove tough to reel in by those with fancier profiles.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Cole hoping Scotsman can seal sweet second success for the family

Only the more senior York racegoers are likely to remember seeing Paul Cole in the winner’s enclosure after the Gimcrack Stakes.

It is 30 years since the trainer landed the Group 2 contest with the Alan Munro-ridden Splendent but the stable has high hopes of a long-awaited second success with Royal Scotsman.

Cole now trains in partnership with his son Oliver who was just ten when his dad won the race and he said: “I can’t remember my dad’s last win in the race but it would be fantastic if we could do it again after all that time.”

Royal Scotsman was well beaten on his debut but has steadily progressed since and climbed close to the top of the juvenile rankings when lowering the course record on the way to an easy victory in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last month.

Royal Scotsman: carries a penalty after his Richmond win last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

“Our horse improved a lot from his first two races and let’s hope there is more to come. He is in very good form and we could not be more pleased with him,” said Oliver Cole.

“He just seems to be growing the whole time and he looks a lot bigger now than he was after his last win.

“It was something special that he was able to break the track record at Goodwood but this is a strong race and there are plenty of threats.

“The Godolphin horse Noble Style looks pretty decent and I know a lot of people like the chances of Marshman.”

What they say

Adam Ryan, assistant trainer of Catch The Paddy and Chuzzlewit
Dad [Kevin] has won this race four times. We are based in Yorkshire and this race has a great history, so we are always trying to win it. It is a step up in grade for Catch The Paddy but he’s improving and he deserves a go at something better. Chuzzlewit missed the break on his debut at Redcar and should do much better this time. He’s a nice, big scopey horse and is not there just to make up the numbers.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Clearpoint
This looks one of the strongest Gimcracks I’ve seen for a long time and it might take a Group 1 horse to win it. It’s difficult to compare with horses in past years but Clearpoint might easily be as good at the stage as our Group 1 winner Sands Of Mali who won this race for us in 2017.

Karl Burke, trainer of Cold Case and Marshman
They are two very nice colts and you can put a line through Cold Case’s last run as he did not like the tacky ground at Chester. It’s a big step up for Marshman but his speed figures were very good for his win at Thirsk and that’s why everybody’s talking about him.

Nigel Tinkler, trainer of Lakota Blue
It’s a big task for him according to the ratings but I’m very happy with him and he will like the course.

Ismail Mohammed, trainer of Never Just A Dream
He’s a quality horse and he won well at Wolverhampton. I like him a lot and it is well worth giving him a try in a race like this.
Reporting by Michael Robson

Friday's race previews:

1.50 York: 'He has a better chance than the betting suggests' – Sky Bet Handicap quotes

2.25 York: Stradivarius camp 'excited' as staying legend bids to extend unbeaten York run

3.35 York: 'It would mean the world' – Tate chases 'special' Nunthorpe with Royal Aclaim

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