Stars young and old set to clash in York's newest Group 1 - an in-depth look at the main contenders in the City of York Stakes
The racing calendar's newest Group 1 takes place at York next week when the City of York Stakes will be the fourth and final top-level race of the meeting. Won 12 months ago by Breege and in 2022 and 2023 by Kinross (who is back again for more), the top-level contest has attracted a stellar cast. Here we take a look at this year's top contenders . . .
Maranoa Charlie
Odds: 4-1
Trained in France by Christopher Head, this son of Wootton Bassett has his first run outside France. He has won five of his eight starts, including three Group 3s, and came close to making his Group 1 breakthrough when a close second to Woodshauna in the Prix Jean Prat last month.
The three-year-old has won three of his four starts over the City Of York Stakes' trip of seven furlongs. The colt has raced with ease in the ground on all starts apart from when winning on his debut, so if the rain fails to arrive at York the surface represents something of an unknown.
Never So Brave
Odds: 4-1
The four-year-old has had a successful season with Andrew Balding since moving from Sir Michael Stoute, winning on two of his three starts, first at Royal Ascot and most recently over a mile in a Group 2 at the same track in July.
Has never run at York and this is his first try at a Group 1, but he has won over the trip and is progressive.
Key Quote
Andrew Balding, trainer: "He's busy and impatient but a very good horse. We were keen to try him at a mile but I think he's very versatile and could be effective anywhere between six furlongs and a mile. I'm thrilled with his progression."
Kinross
Odds: 10-1
The oldest of the contenders is Kinross, trained by Ralph Beckett. The eight-year-old has already won this race twice but will be hoping for more luck than he had before the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, where he was withdrawn from the race on veterinary advice after being kicked by Audience.
Kinross was the favourite going into the Lennox and connections will be hoping experience may give him the edge here. He was second in the Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes in May, his only start this season.
Rosallion
Odds: 11-2
The Richard Hannon trained four-year-old is vying for favouritism at around the 4-1 mark following his second to Qirat in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, but looks set to run in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday instead.
It has been a frustrating season for the three-time Group 1 winner, who was second behind Docklands in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and third in Newbury's Lockinge Stakes.
Key quote
Richard Hannon, trainer: “We went into the race [Sussex Stakes] hoping we had the best miler in Europe – and we have.”
Notable Speech
Odds: 12-1
It's safe to say that things have not gone to plan for Notable Speech after an impressive three-year-old campaign last season.
A drop back to 6f in the July Cup failed to reignite his spark, but this sort of trip could be the making of the son Dubawi who showed enough speed over a mile to convince connections to try sprinting.
Not a certain runner and has to prove his form somewhat, but would be an intriguing contender if lining up.
Key Quote
Charlie Appleby, trainer: "People might say it was a bit confusing regarding trip and dropping back to the six furlongs for the July Cup, but I personally think anything between six furlongs and a mile will suit him, and there's another Group 1 in him for sure."
Lazzat
Odds: 16-1
A winner of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, the son of Territories suffered a shock defeat in the Maurice de Gheest last weekend at Deauville.
Has won over seven furlongs so the trip would pose no issue, but a quick turnaround would be required.
Tipster's view
By Tom Park, tipster
You're taking a chance on whether he runs, but there is plenty of value in Notable Speech, who is available at 12-1 with William Hill.
Things have clearly not gone to plan this season, which is why connections are experimenting with his trip, but seven furlongs on fast ground might be exactly what Notable Speech needs to reignite the spark.
He is still a very classy horse and he went off favourite in the July Cup despite never running over six furlongs before.
It is very easy to excuse that and he was dealing with the best of the milers prior to that. He still has plenty of class and is surely too big at a double-figure price, with many of the field unlikely to run.
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