Haggas and Ryan go head to head in search of fourth victory

Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) | 6f, 2yo | ITV/RUK

Yorkshire-born William Haggas makes no secret of his affection for York, and he's trained many a classy two-year-old, so it's no surprise he should have such a good record in the Gimcrack Stakes.

He's taken this prize through Conquest, Ajaya and Approve, and bids to make it four wins in 11 years with Headway.

His runner finished sixth on soft ground at Goodwood last time but had previously gone down by just a head to Rajasinghe in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Haggas said: "He's very well and I hope the ground dries up even more."

Ryan hopes to keep it local with Stormbringer

Kevin Ryan always does his best to keep Yorkshire's most prestigious two-year-old race in the county and hopes to make another bold bid.

The trainer has triumphed with Amadeus Wolf, Blaine and Astaire in the last dozen years, which suggests his upped-in-grade Stormbringer should not be underestimated.

Stormbringer comes here on the back of success in a Redcar novice event but Ryan's son Adam said: "We've always thought a lot of him. This has been the plan from an early stage if he matched up to expectations.

"He improved from his first run to his second and did it very nicely last time. This is a big step up for him but he's not just running to make up the numbers."

Hills: this will suit Nebo really well

Charlie Hills hopes it will be third time lucky for Nebo after two near-misses at Group 2 level this summer.

His colt went down by a length and a quarter to Barraquero in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, having been beaten just a head by Gustav Klimt in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket previously.

"This will suit him really well and he should have a good chance," the trainer said.

"He's been in decent order since finishing second in the Richmond."

What they say

James Tate, trainer of Invincible Army
He's in great form and we've always thought a lot of him. He didn't like the bottomless ground at Goodwood last time, but over six furlongs on good ground he should show what he's made of.

Simon Crisford, trainer of Nobleman's Nest
He's in good shape and won his maiden nicely. This is obviously a step up in class and a big test but he's been working nicely.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Sands Of Mali
The form of his maiden win at Nottingham was franked by the runner-up winning at Newbury and he’s definitely got place chances.

Simon Bridge, director of Ontoawiner, owners of Staxton
He's very well and done really well since his last run - he's one of the outsiders but he's got a squeak. The form of his second to Hey Jonesy at York has worked out nicely and Tim Easterby's horses are in great form.

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