Racecards
15:10 York
Duke Of York Blue Square Stakes (group 2) (Class 1)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £100,000 added
- Form 141-413
- Age 4
- Weight 9-12
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Johnny Murtagh
tracked leader, challenged 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on under pressure until lost place and no extra final 75 yards
- Form 0/14541-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer P W Chapple-Hyam
- Jockey R Hills
mid-division, ridden and outpaced well over 1f out, no impression, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 4630-42
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
behind, driven over 2f out, headway under pressure 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
- Form 21317-3
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 104
behind, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure on outside over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders
- Form 10/7036-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 103
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace under pressure inside final furlong, no impression
- Form 3355-41
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
- Form 20-9816
- Age 8
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
raced keenly, mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 142804-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R L Moore
chased leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, not reach leading pair
- Form 13/32
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer J R Best
- Jockey S J Drowne
behind, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 089241
- Age 6
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 105
chased leaders, driven to lead well over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, held on towards finish
- Form 4/1236-3
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 102
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, no impression final furlong
- Form 2113-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey W Buick
slowly into stride, behind, driven over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong to chase winner final 75 yards, held towards finish
In depth
Verdict
Australian import Starspangledbanner makes his debut for Aidan O'Brien today and the dual Grade 1 winner in his native country has to be given every consideration on his debut in the UK but he does have a penalty to carry and has to give weight away all round so he may be best watched with preference for MAIN AIM, who gets the vote ahead of Mullionmileanhour. The selection was highly tried last term but equipped himself well in the highest grade by finishing a close up fourth in the Queen Anne and finding just Fleeting Spirit too good in the July Cup, form on which he looks worth supporting on his reappearance receiving weight from Starspangledbanner. Inxile was a game winner at Doncaster of the Cammidge Trophy last time and has to be considered being trained by David Nicholls but this is tougher, while John Gosden's Showcasing showed progressive form as a juvenile and now makes his debut at the age of three and he has to be respected. Peter Chapple-Hyam's Sayif won well in this grade in the Diadem Stakes at Ascot when last seen in September and he has claims if ready for his reappearance but a better bet looks to be Main Aim, who can make a winning return.
Formwatch
Starspangledbanner (AUS) 15-2 (8-6) 3rd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Wanted (8-2) at Flemington(AUS) 6f Grp 1 hcp sft in Mar.
Sayif (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, led just inside final 2f, pushed along, in command and ran on well final furlong, won at Ascot 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep beating Tamagin (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Damien (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) Dwelt, in rear, close enough, ridden and headway 1f out, driven to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on, always held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Markab (9-0) at Thirsk 6f stks (2) gf in Apr.
Doncaster Rover (USA) 7-2 (9-5) Soon pushed along in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, never going pace of leaders, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Equiano (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Edge Closer 12-1 (9-3) Raced slighlty away from main field, led 1f, remained with leader, hung right from halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened and heavily eased final furlong, 6th of 8, 17l behind High Standing (9-3) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jul.
Inxile (IRE) 17-2 (9-5) Made all, ridden and pressed from over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Mar beating Prime Defender (9-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Judd Street 33-1 (9-0) 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Joy And Fun (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Mar.
Main Aim 5-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden 3f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Arabian Gleam (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Mullionmileanhour (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, gaining near finish, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Equiano (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Prime Defender 3-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Haydock 6f cond Stakes (2) gf beating Redford (9-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
Anglezarke (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Gilt Edge Girl (9-0) at Bath 5f fll lst stks (1) fm in Apr.
Showcasing 2-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, every chance 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Awzaan (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Oct.