Does William Haggas hold the Cup key again with lightly raced Mahrajaan?

Saturday: 4.05 York
John Smith's Cup Handicap | 1m2½f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

If you go back to before 1998, the Magnet Cup as it was known then was often won by a lightly raced, progressive three-year-old, but the shape of the race has since changed entirely.

Only one three-year-old has won it since 2001 and that was Wigmore Hall in 2010. He went on to win the Grade 1 Northern Dancer at Woodbine twice.

The reason the Classic generation do not win it regularly is because not many of them run. The lack of younger horses means that the John Smith's Cup, as it is now, is usually won by more exposed handicappers.

Euchen Glen (2018), Pivoine (2019) and Johnny Drama (2021) all had plenty of racing before their victories and even the improvers Ballet Concerto (2017) and Sinjaari (2020) ran at least eight times. That's because a high BHA rating is needed just to get into the event.

There are no three-year-olds in this year's field but Mahrajaan has managed to get in, despite having run only six times. He is therefore unexposed in comparison to the most recent winners, and most of his main rivals.

The last horse to win the John Smith's Cup after fewer than seven career starts was Danchai in 2013. William Haggas, the man who trained him, runs Mahrajaan, and he has saddled only one other horse who was similarly inexperienced in recent seasons. That was Victory Bond, who finished seventh as 6-1 favourite in 2017.

Mahrajaan must be held in high regard because he has gone off favourite for his last five starts and his latest third at Haydock was a career-best, so he is still improving. However, Shadwell's retained rider Jim Crowley has chosen to go to Ascot to ride Mutasaabeq instead.

Jockey bookings can be particularly revealing on this busiest big-race Saturday of the year and Andrea Atzeni stands out as a leading rider who is going to York. He takes the mount on Greatgadian for Roger Varian and Atzeni, who was at Newmarket on Thursday and Friday, and has already booted home three winners from five runners on the Knavesmire this season.

The other booking that catches the eye is Danny Tudhope on Brilliant Light for Saeed bin Suroor. Tudhope has four wins and six seconds for the stable in the last five years and partnered Brilliant Light to a good fourth in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Clever trainer keen on Intellogent

Don't say you weren't warned. When Jane Chapple-Hyam sets her sights on a big prize she can be hard to beat.

She had two winners and a second from three runners at Royal Ascot and said on Friday: "I did let you know but nobody paid any attention! It's kind of weird that people think it's amazing when we knew that they'd all run well."

The first of the trio to reappear is Intellogent, who came within half a length of defying 9st 10lb in the Royal Hunt Cup.

Chapple-Hyam said: "He's got a bit of weight to give away but I hope he's there with a shout again. He's trained well since Ascot and we go there hopeful.

"We're stepping up in trip but he showed previously he can get that distance. When he runs the mile, he looks like he wants the extra."

What they say

Owen Burrows, trainer of Anmaat
I'm well aware it's a big ask to win such a competitive handicap first time up, but we're pleased with him at home. It was a big run in the Cambridgeshire – he travelled through that race like a proper horse so I hope he can cope with his elevated mark.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Greatgadian and Good Birthday
Good Birthday is drawn in the car park, as he was when he ran well last year. It will make it tough for him and he's probably a bit better with give in the ground. Greatgadian ran pretty well in the Royal Hunt Cup over a trip that's probably a bit short for him.

William Haggas, trainer of Mahrajaan
He's back in trip but we don't think that will hinder him and he's got a nice draw. They don't usually go very fast so we've got one that wanted to go more forward – they've crawled round a few years and won from the front and we've been caught out before.

Mark Johnston, joint-trainer of Forest Falcon
We know he is capable at that trip and a fast pace won't trouble him. We hope it goes his way.

Ed Walker, trainer of Caradoc
He started favourite two years ago. Things didn't quite work out but this is the perfect track and trip and he's 4lb lower in the weights this time and in really good order.

Nic Barron, joint-trainer of Baryshnikov
He's had a good start to the year and is in good form with himself. The only doubt would be if the ground was too fast but he's earned his chance in a race like this.

Tom Clover, trainer of Rogue Bear
He's been a bit of a bridesmaid this year and deserves to win a nice one. He seems in really good form and this was always the plan after he was slightly unlucky at York last time. He's had a break, his work has been good and I hope he can run a big race.
Reporting by David Carr

Saturday's race previews:

3.00 Ascot: 'This summer she's blossomed' - Boughey fields transformed filly in hot handicap

3.15 Newmarket: 'You don't do what he did unless you're special' - Superlative Stakes lowdown

3.35 Ascot: Can Chindit make it a terrific ten straight winning favourites in Summer Mile?

3.50 Newmarket: Can Samburu end long three-year-old drought in the Bunbury Cup for the Gosdens?

4.25 York: 'Special horse' Perfect Power bids for fourth Group 1 success