Fine Form
Alsakib YO – 3.00
can improve on his recent York spin by landing the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes back on the Knavemire.
The five-year-old was up against it on his seasonal bow last month, taking on multiple Group One winner Rebel’s Romance in the Group Two Yorkshire Cup over the same mile and six furlongs he faces here.
Sent off a 14-1 shot in what was a bit of a muddling race with only a steady early pace, Alsakib ran better than his odds suggested in finishing fourth of the five contenders, beaten just a length and a half by Rebel’s Romance, who is rated 13lb his superior.
Alsakib was a Group Three winner over course and distance last year, when he beat the reopposing Al Qareem, and while he is closely matched with Absurde, preference is just for Andrew Balding’s charge, who could have some improvement still to give.
Diligently YO – 3.35
enjoyed his career highlight at York last season and is certainly worth an each-way bet at least in the Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap.
After five unsuccessful starts, Diligently chose the perfect moment to get his head in front for the first time when landing a huge prize in the Goffs sales race at the Ebor meeting.
He relished a return to six furlongs as he beat Arizona Blaze a head, with that rival going on to finish a close second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at the back end of the year.
Diligently did not run again though and it would probably be fair to say he was in need of his reappearance at Chester, when he came home a well-held second to Hammer The Hammer, who was landing his third race on the bounce.
Clive Cox’s runner should strip fitter for that outing and his rating of 86 certainly looks workable in this ultra-competitive test.
Jody Townend and Adrian Keatley can combine for a second Queen Mother’s Cup Handicap win in the last three years.
The pair struck gold with Kihavah in 2023 and
Maghlaak YO – 2.25
looks poised to follow up after going down by just a neck at the Dante fixture.
Hold A Dream SN – 2.40
can secure a second career success in the BetMGM Scurry Stakes at Sandown.
Winner of a Yarmouth novice last term, she came within a neck of Listed glory at Chelmsford on her seasonal bow before finding subsequent Group Two winner Symbol Of Honour too good at Newbury.
She has ground to find with Coto De Caza but does at least have the advantage of a couple of runs already this term.
Jouncy CS – 3.20
can make the most of a drop in class by landing the Ladbrokes Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Handicap at Chester.
The three-year-old won a Goodwood maiden last year and was then quite highly tried, proving no match for The Lion In Winter in the Acomb before taking second in the Group Three Sirenia Stakes.
He rounded off with an unplaced run in the Middle Park and has failed to really sparkle in two starts so far this term in conditions and Listed company, so it looks a wise move to ease back to handicap level, despite his mark of 97.
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