Sky Bet York Stakes betting preview

With Glorious Goodwood just around the corner it is the turn of York to play host to yet more top quality racing on Saturday and the renewal of the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes looks as competitive as ever.  The Sir Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over landed the spoils in the race last year and the Newmarket handler tries again this time around with recent listed winner Jet Away in the 1m2f contest. However, there is a strong army of challengers in the 11-runner field including Group 1 winner Planteur now trained by Marco Botti and Luca Cumani’s listed winner Afsare, who currently head the top two in the betting. Choose from over £500 in free bets for this race.

Afsare Consistent performer over both a mile and ten furlongs and stayed on well to justify favouritism in a listed contest at Sandown when last seen. He was second only to Crackerjack King in a Group 1 in Italy on his penultimate run and with conditions in his favour (best form has come on a sound surface) he looks sure to make a bold under usual rider Kieren Fallon.

Hunter’s Light Progressive last season in listed company but hasn’t quite gone on as a 4yo this season yet for trainer Saeed Bin Suroor. Probably out of his depth when seventh of 12 in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and difficult to see him featuring here.

Jet Away Course and distance winner at York when notching a conditions event last October and has since shown his hand in listed company at Goodwood on good to firm ground. A line can be drawn through his wide margin defeat at Pontefract latest over a trip beyond his best and he must be taken seriously for a stable that won this contest twelve months ago.

Marcret Done most of his racing in his native Italy prior to joining current trainer Marco Botti but got off the mark on British soil at the first time of asking when landing a Group 3 race at Chester. Not so good next time in a similar contest at Epsom and is now thrown into much hotter company and place claims at best.

Pekan Star One of two Roger Varian runners but hung badly on his reappearance last month when stone wall last in a handicap at Epsom and unlikely to trouble the judge here.

Planteur High-class performer in France winning a Group 1 at Longchamp last year and ran a  real good race to finish third behind Monterosso in the Dubai World Cup. Ran no sort of race when seen in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes last time and was keen enough throughout so if that run can be forgiven he must hold a serious chance on his second start for new yard.

Premio Loco Oldest of the eleven runners but has several Group 2 wins to his name but could make no impression in the Queen Anne behind runaway leader Frankel. Perhaps best to judge his recent form on his pair of Group 3 wins on the all-weather and in Sweden and although difficult to assess that bare form, at least remains in good heart.

Ransom Note Been more than a shade disappointing this year when well held at Newmarket and then beaten a long way from home in the Lockinge Stakes. Has form on good to firm ground though and at likely larger odds may well run into a place if recapturing the form of his Group 2 success at Newmarket last season. Have a more profitable Cheltenham Festival this year with generous free bets.

Side Glance Looked to run a career best when a close second to Excelebration in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. And although he might have been slightly flattered to finish so close, he is clearly on the up after a subdued start to the campaign and must be enter calculations.

Sri Putra Consistent type who was outclassed in the Eclipse Stakes last time but might well appreciate this lesser company and could easily outrun his odds. Certainly the stables first string on jockey bookings and may well be scrapping it out for minor honours.

Wigmore Hall Been on the go since March when running creditably in a pair of Meydan Group 1 races.  Ninth in the Prince Of Wales’s last time but all his wins have come on ground described as good or faster and previous course and distance form a massive plus; respected.

Free bets for the Sky Bet York Stakes

A real trappy affair and one which could be may well go to one of those at the head of the betting. However, the vote goes to SIDE GLANCE who stayed on well in the Queen Anne to suggest he can return to winning ways once more. Planteur and Jet Away are to be feared and Wigmore Hall might be one to keep a close eye on with likely ground in his favour. Get a £25 free bet on this race from William Hill.

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