Can Mighty Ulysses emulate one of Gosden's greats en route to Group 1 glory?

Saturday: 1.50 YorkSky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes (Group 3) | 1m1f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

This is a race that has thrown up Group 1 performers in the past. Mondialiste, Mustashry and Lord Glitters have all won it in the last ten years before going on to score at the top level, and last year's winner Real World would be another Group 1 winner if it wasn't for a certain Baaeed.

Mighty Ulysses will be looking to use the race as a springboard to success at the top level. He has already gone close in a Group 1 having finished less than a length behind Coroebus in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, and he was a winner at Listed level last time.

Joint-trainer John Gosden hasn't won the Strensall recently, but he did land it three times in ten years from 1993-2002, and his 1993 winner Muhtarram went on to land the Irish Champion and two Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot. Can Mighty Ulysses emulate him?

Alflaila looks open to further improvement after finishing second to Mighty Ulysses when they met at Newmarket and has since won at Listed level, while Bashkirova ran a sound time when winning at Epsom two runs ago and could easily bounce back from a disappointing effort in a hot Group 2 at Royal Ascot. It's a cracking race.

Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Mighty Frankie

Frankie Dettori is already leading rider in the opening contest on day four having first won it 31 years ago on Shaima. It is, however, ten years since he last won it on Dubai Prince, but he has a leading chance of marking the anniversary in style on Mighty Ulysses.

The three-year-old has already proved a significant mount for Dettori having provided him with his first winner for the Gosden team at the July festival at Newmarket last month following their brief split at the end of June.

Usually a hold-up horse, Mighty Ulysses was always on the premises in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes that day when accounting for the reopposing Alflaila, who went on to advertise the form of that contest by scoring at the same level at Pontefract.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Mighty Ulysses, said: "He ran a great race to finish a close fifth in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot after which it was good to see him get his head in front at Newmarket.

"The step up to a mile and a furlong should suit him as should going around a bend, and he has worked nicely at home recently."

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of Bashkirova
I'm not sure she'll run, she needs it to rain and I'm not sure it's going to. We'll make a decision in the morning.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Finest Sound
We ran him back over seven furlongs at Thirsk last time instead of keep working him at home as there was nothing else for him. It was nice he got his head in front and this trip is more his bag. He's a good solid horse, and if he brings his best form to the table he would have a chance in a competitive race.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Shadwell Estates, owners of Alflaila
He won really well last time at Pontefract and is up in trip, but we think it will suit him. He's taking on Mighty Ulysses again, but we think the track will suit him and we are looking forward to seeing him run.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's race previews:

2.25 York: 'We've always had the Melrose as a target' – who's been laid out for York prize?

2.40 Sandown: could Haggas have another super son of Sea The Stars on his hands?

3.00 York: 'If everything goes right he could do it' – City of York Stakes trainer quotes

3.35 York: 'He's ready to roll' – who will land the Ebor, the day's big betting race?

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