Fine Form
Rahiebb YO – 4.05
can reward connections’ decision to bypass a prior Chester engagement with success in the Boodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes.
The Roger Varian-trained colt was due to line up in the Ormonde Stakes last week but was withdrawn after concerns about slippery ground on the Roodee.
He was re-routed to the Knavesmire as a result, and is due to get his campaign underway at Group Two level over a distance of a mile and six furlongs.
His last start as a three-year-old came in the St Leger at Doncaster, where he was the runner-up behind Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia when beaten only a neck.
Prior to that he was fourth in the Gordon Stakes and third in the Queen’s Vase, before which he gained a useful piece of York form when second over a mile and a half in the Sky Bet Handicap.
The son of Frankel has followed an upward trajectory consistently throughout his career so far and clearly has the class to make his presence felt here, despite it being his first run since a break over the winter.
So Regal YO – 2.20
can continue to impress and progress to Listed level in the Sky Bet Fillies’ Stakes run over a mile.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden for owner-breeder Cheveley Park, the Kingman filly made an excellent start to the season with two runs resulting in two convincing wins.
She took a Newmarket maiden in April and then followed up with a two-length victory in an Ascot novice at the beginning of the month, a pleasing start to life as a three-year-old after she ran just once at two to come home third in a Chelmsford fillies’ maiden.
Both performances pointed at plenty more to come from the filly, who is out of the mare Queen’s Trust and therefore a full sibling to the Group-placed colt Chancellor.
All eyes will be on
Portcullis YO – 5.15
in the Darley EBF “Confined’’ Novice Stakes, with the Frankel colt trained by John and Thady Gosden for the King and Queen – the former of whom also bred the horse.
The three-year-old made a real impression when making his debut at Newmarket in April, cantering home to a five-and-a-half-length triumph in a one-mile maiden.
He has an eye-catching entry in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and is likely to be a popular winner at York if he is able to produce a similar display.
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