Will Claymore prove his class for Jane Chapple-Hyam and down Dubai Honour?

Saturday: 3.15 York
Skybet York Stakes (Group 2) | 1m2½f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

There are two ways of looking at Claymore’s form and it’s possible to be positive or negative about his chances of winning this Group 2 race, depending on which side of the fence you sit.

On one hand he beat the one of the weakest Hampton Court fields ever assembled at Royal Ascot last time, but on the other he has come up against the best three-year-olds in Britain.

When he was second in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket in April, Claymore split subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail and Hoo Ya Mal, who finished second in the Derby.

I tend to favour recent form over back form, so would take the view that he has a bit to prove purely on his Ascot run, but he does receive 9lb weight-for-age from his three main rivals.

Dubai Honour is one of them and he isn’t far off Group 1 class judged on his second in the Champion Stakes at Ascot and close fourth in the Hong Kong Cup. However, he was last seen finishing tenth in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March and returns from a long absence.

There are two big questions hanging over him. The first is how fit will he be for this return? And the second is how will he handle quick ground?

I’d be more concerned about the first than the second as he has won on fast going, but definitely has bigger targets than this ahead.

If there is one horse whose Royal Ascot form might have been underestimated it is Dubai Future, who ran away with an ultra-competitive Wolferton Stakes last month.

His trainer Saeed Bin Suroor’s runners are also often underestimated, but the trainer is 4-18 in Group races over the last two seasons and one of those winners was Real World, who won the Strensall Stakes here at the Ebor meeting 11 months ago.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

'I expect he'll love a galloping track' - Chapple-Hyam's high hopes for Claymore

David Egan takes over the ride aboard Royal Ascot winner Claymore, with regular rider Adam Kirby unable to make the weight and instead lining up in opposition.

Egan, who would in previous circumstances have been at Ascot to partner Mishriff in the King George, sat on Claymore for the first time in Newmarket a few days ago. Kirby switches to rival Dubai Future, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, who must give his former partner 9lb.

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said: "This has been the plan for Claymore since he won at Royal Ascot last month. He’s been in good order since. He hasn’t missed a beat and seems to have improved."

On the jockey changes, she added: "Unfortunately, Adam can’t do the weight so we’ve booked David Egan, who had a sit on him the other day and liked him.

"They’ve had little rain up there but he handled quick conditions at Ascot and I expect he’ll love a galloping track like York. He’s taking on some decent older horses for the first time but this time of year, the three-year-olds get the weight pull which helps."

What they say

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Mohammed Obaida, owner of Dubai Honour
He could have done with some cut in the ground but I think they’ll have done a good job with the surface and he can’t just keep galloping and galloping at home, he needs to race.

William Knight, trainer of Sir Busker
There's no Baaeed for starters and he's in good form. It will be interesting seeing him step up to this trip. When Jim Crowley and William Buick have ridden him, they keep telling me to run him over further and I can see him running a big race.

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Dark Moon Rising
He finished a good fourth in the Dante and things didn’t work out for him at Ascot. He needs a career-best, but going back to York will suit him.

Read Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Ascot: 'There’s no such thing as a penalty kick' - Lezoo camp wary of unexposed rivals

2.05 York: Can Harry Cobden grab the bragging rights in jump jockeys' Nunthorpe?

2.40 York: Keith Melrose explains how the draw could help solve York's Dash Handicap puzzle

3.00 Ascot: 'He's improving and has a definite chance' - key insight for big-field handicap

3.35 Ascot: King George insight as Westover and Emily Upjohn face top-class rivals

King George analysis: Why the older horses have been underestimated against their younger opponents (£)

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