Fast-improving Real World out to continue march towards Group 1s in Strensall

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

This might be a Group 3 in name, but it is a lot stronger than that in nature because the median Racing Post Rating for all Group 3 winners in Britain and Ireland since 2008 is 112 and there are several in this race who are better than that, headed by Real World.

He has improved significantly for a switch to turf this season as he had not bettered an RPR of 92 in six starts on dirt and the all-weather, but has recorded figures of 113 and 120 on grass this summer. That latest effort puts him only 1lb shy of the median RPR for Group 1 winners.

This race has been used as a stepping stone to Group 1 glory in the recent past. In fact, four of the last six winners – Mondialiste (2015), Mustashry (2017), Lord Glitters (2018) and Zaaki (2019) – won at the top level here or abroad. Real World could be destined to do the same.

My Oberon: a regular in top-class racesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The cheekpieces, which he wore for the first time in the Royal Hunt Cup and also sported at Newbury last time, have also been key to his transformation and let’s not forget rider Marco Ghiani either. He is unbeaten on Real World and is 6-13 (46 per cent) for Saeed bin Suroor.

Real World might need to be Group 1 class to win, though. My Oberon and Lord Glitters have competed in seven Group 1s between them on their last seven starts and both recorded RPRs high enough for an average Group 3 last time – My Oberon 117 and Lord Glitters 114.

El Drama is the other form contender judged on his fourth in the Eclipse, but that was a muddling race run at a stop-start gallop and he was probably flattered. Baaeed thrashed him at Goodwood last time so a win for El Drama would pay that winner a big compliment.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Real World out to prove he's real deal

Saeed bin Suroor invariably enjoys a prolific second part of the season, and hopes are high Real World could prove a standard bearer over the coming months.

The four-year-old looked a seriously exciting prospect when following up his Royal Hunt Cup success with an impressive Newbury win over Derab in a Listed event.

Derab enjoyed first run on that occasion and looked to have sealed success when bursting three lengths clear inside the final furlong, but Real World unleashed a formidable turn of foot to cut him down to size in the closing stages and ultimately win with something in hand.

He clearly relished the step back up to 1m2f that day, and was due to remain at that trip for the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock this month until unsuitable underfoot conditions intervened.

Saeed bin Suroor: saddles the exciting Real WorldCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Connections appear to believe Real World to be just as effective at shorter trips, though, as he holds entries over a mile in the Tote Celebration Mile next Saturday and the Group 1 Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in October.

He is generally a 10-1 shot for the QEII and 12-1 for the 1m2f Qipco Champion Stakes on the same card on British Champions Day.

Bin Suroor said: "Real World had to miss the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock as the ground was too soft.

"Quicker conditions at York should suit him well. He has done nothing wrong on both his starts so far this summer and I am looking for another good run."

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of My Oberon
I think he quite likes going fresh and he's run two good races in Group 1s so this is a drop in class, albeit it's still a good race. He's got a penalty but should run well.

Michael Dods, trainer of Brunch
We're stepping him up a furlong in trip after his win over a mile in a Pontefract Listed race. A bit of rain would help, and it is forecast. He deserves the opportunity to have a crack at a Group 3 now.

Oliver Cole, joint-trainer of Duke Of Hazzard
His participation is dependent on the ground as he wants it quick. It's been a frustrating season for him so far. He was very unlucky at Epsom, and then he rather got lost in the ground at Salisbury last time. Everything needs to fall right for him, but he's got lots of ability and I hope he can win one of these races soon. If the rain comes he may miss bypass York and go for the Celebration Mile at Goodwood next weekend. Most of our horses want fast ground, and the rain has rather messed up things for us this summer.

Roger Varian, trainer of El Drama
He's in good form. The trip should suit and the track should suit. It's a competitive race, as always, but he ticks a few boxes.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Saturday's race previews:

2.05 Sandown: will the Queen's Reach For The Moon be another winning Solario favourite?

2.25 York: can King Of The Castle lay one more ghost to rest for late sire Galileo?

3.00 York: Walker hoping things fall right again for exciting Primo Bacio on Knavesmire

3.35 York: 'if you win the Ebor you're a bloody legend!' – key quotes as 22 go for glory

Big-race analysis: do you need a Group horse for the Ebor? Keith Melrose is not convinced (Members' Club)

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