'If everything goes right he could do it' - City of York Stakes trainer quotes

Sky Bet City of York Stakes (Group 2) | 7f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

The common denominator between the three market leaders in an open City of York Stakes is the fact all ran in the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood 25 days ago. That race is worth watching back when attempting to solve this puzzle.

Sandrine beat Kinross by a neck with well-supported favourite Sacred back in fifth. The time was 1.88sec faster than the earlier Vintage Stakes won by Marbaan and Sandrine, new to this intermediate trip, enjoyed the run of the race but saw out the seven furlongs strongly.

Frankie Dettori's decision to go the brave man's route up the far rail almost paid dividends for Kinross but the line arrived too soon. That performance represented a joint career-best on Racing Post Ratings and he meets Sandrine on 2lb better terms, although ease in the ground is beneficial to Kinross and rain has failed to materialise on the Knavesmire.

Sacred lacked a change of gear in the Lennox and failed to back up her promising fifth to Naval Crown in the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes in June. This high-class filly might be best fresh.

It seems likely either Al Suhail or Pogo will provide the pace and a strong end-to-end gallop will test the mettle of three established sprinters stepping up in trip. Art Power and Rohaan are all available at much bigger odds and merit close inspection.

Art Power has opened up at a huge price considering he has made the first four in five Group 1s over six furlongs, three over Ascot's stiff track. The extra yardage should present few fears and providing Art Power is fully wound up for his seasonal return, he is a huge player.

With fitness concerns for Art Power, it is Rohaan who rates the value bet. The back-to-back Wokingham winner regularly finishes strongly over six furlongs and the impression is that this longer trip could see him to better effect.

This ground-versatile four-year-old finished a never-nearer fourth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time, relishing an extra half-furlong in the Group 1. He needs to be produced late from a decent pace and this sort of test could really suit.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Lucky seven (furlongs)

High season for 7f specialists reaches its climax here with the race that York hopes can become Britain's only all-aged Group 1 contest at the trip.

The £400,000 prize fund is a signal of that ambition, as is the scrapping of penalties, and the race has attracted the winners of both the other Group 2 races run over the trip in the last 25 days.

The money has tempted Eve Johnson Houghton to turn out Jumby again just a week after his success in the £100,000 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

That was a career-best effort by the four-year-old, whose trainer said: "There's every reason to hope for another big run.

"He's in great form – he's come out of the Hungerford bouncing. He loves fast ground, this is his trip and he's proved he's up to it."

Sandrine, a Group 2 winner over 6f at two who finished third in the Falmouth Stakes over a mile at Newmarket last month, scored her first win of the season when dropped back to this trip at Goodwood.

She beat rivals Kinross and Pogo by a neck and a short head in the £180,000 Lennox Stakes and jockey David Probert said: "She's in good form and she's come out of Goodwood in great health.

"That was a good performance. She still gets a little bit of weight off the other fillies and this looks to be her optimum trip.

"The faster they go the better for her but she's got a bit of tactical speed to get her out of trouble. She's got a big chance."

Sandrine (right): 'She's come out of Goodwood in great health' says jockey David ProbertCredit: Edward Whitaker

What they say

Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to Marc Chan, owner of Kinross
He's not run a bad race all year even though he's not had his ideal ground. He's better on soft ground and any rain would be to his advantage but I'd expect another big run.

David Evans, trainer of Rohaan
It looks winnable and if everything goes right he could do it. He's been running well and will be suited by the good gallop.

William Haggas, trainer of Sacred
She loves the ground. I think I overdid her before Goodwood. She's pretty fresh and well now and I hope she'll prove she was badly trained before Goodwood and is much better now.
Reporting by David Carr

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 York: can Mighty Ulysses emulate one of Gosden's greats en route to Group 1 glory?

2.25 York: 'We've always had the Melrose as a target' – who's been laid out for York prize?

2.40 Sandown: could Haggas have another super son of Sea The Stars on his hands?

3.35 York: 'He's ready to roll' – who will land the Ebor, the day's big betting race?

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