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Yorkshire Cup preview

The feature of the final day of the Dente meeting at York is the Yorkshire Cup for the stayers. Taking on the challenge today is international racing fan and Australian racecalling prodigy Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke.

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Betway Yorkshire Cup
£150,000 Group 2, 1m6f
British Champions Series Long Distance
1515 BST



1 Brown Panther
Superstar stayer who is in arguably career best form. The only time he ran out of the first three last year was in the 12f G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, which you can completely forget as that was not his distance at all. He won the G1 Irish St Leger by 6.5 lengths, courtesy of a very good ride from regular jockey Richard Kingscote, and is coming into this after arguably a career best performance in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on Dubai World Cup Night were he absolutely dominated a fair enough field in super time. This is his preparation for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, where he may struggle distance wise, but today he’s the horse to catch.

2 Havana Beat
Consistent enough type who was a good enough fourth to Brown Panther on World Cup night and fourth to Almoonqith in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy prior to that. His career best run was arguably three starts back when he flew home in the LR American St Leger and was also a very game LR victor last year in the Esher Stakes at Sandown. He carries less weight than Brown Panther today, unlike in Dubai when they were level, but it would be quite a surprise if he was able to get home in front. It wouldn’t be a surprise however if he ran into a place, which is his best chance.

3 Times Up
Old warrior who has won at this track in the past, not in this race however. Two times G2 Doncaster Cup winner but it’s fair to say that last year wasn’t really spectacular for him, like other years. He had five runs with his third to Pale Mimosa and Estimate in the G2 Lonsdale Cup the only better than par performance. That was a good run that day but was only eighth of of 12 when searching for a third consecutive G2 Doncaster Cup, well beaten in the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp in May along with being outpaced over 12f in the G2 Jockey Club Stakes, which you can forget as the trip wasn’t his go, but it was very disappointing, primarily for the horse, to see him run a 45 length last of five in the LR Jockey Club Rose Bowl, a race he won in 2011, when he was virtually pulled up. He’s well past his best and I hope he runs well but I’m prepared to lay him this year in everything he runs in that’s Group class.

4 Romsdal
Consistent type who was third to Australia and Kingston Hill in last year’s Derby before running quite poor in the King George and then ran a game 2nd to Kingston Hill in the St Leger. He scored easily first-up at Kempton in March but was an interesting run last time when leading up in the G3 John Porter Stakes over 12f at Newbury and then looking gone at the 2f mark and then was coming again in the last 150 yards to snatch third on the line. The Good to Firm ground was blamed for the run, the fastest ground he’d ever run on, but I think that was a stupid excuse perhaps a better apology would be that he’s looking for further. He steps up 2f today and that looks ideal. Can challenge.

5 Snow Sky
Fan of this horse and has the best help in the world of Ryan Moore and Sir Michael Stoute. Very consistent last year with his two victories being in the LR Lingfield Derby Trial and the G3 Gordon Stakes. He was also a game second to Postponed in the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes and gallant 3rd in the St Leger. He went to Hong Kong for the Vase on International Day but the slow tempo didn’t suit him at all and it was obvious that he was outpaced and looking for further than 12f. He steps up to 14f today which should be ideal. I doubt he will beat Brown Panther but there’s no doubt he’s a good each-way show.

6 Island Remede
Fair enough type who’s the only filly in this whose run second to Windshear in the Doncaster Shield and second to Deuce Again in the LR Further Flight Stakes this year and was disappointing last time against her own sex in the LR Daisy Warwick Stakes at Goodwood. Highly doubt it as she looks completely outclassed.

I would be surprised if Brown Panther got beat but Romsdal looks to have a lot of improvement in him stepping up to 14f and could challenge but Brown Panther is the one to beat on ability and class.

Selections
1 Brown Panther
4 Romsdal
5 Snow Sky
2 Havana Beat
The Bet
Brown Panther looks quite juicy at 9/4 and will add to the birthday celebrations this week of part-owner Andrew Black.

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