Absurde and Al Qareem meet again in Listed staying test at York - with a Godolphin improver in opposition

A steadily or slowly run race followed by a sprint is commonplace in staying races on the Flat and that was clearly evident in the Yorkshire Cup won by Rebel’s Romance over course and distance last month.

That looks likely to be the case again, with Al Qareem the only confirmed front-runner in the line-up. He has run to near his best on both starts this season, latterly chasing home next week’s Gold Cup favourite Illinois in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester, where he had Absurde half a length behind.

Al Qareem has to shoulder a 5lb penalty compared to the 3lb he did last time and is likely to struggle to confirm form with Absurde, who achieved his career-best Racing Post Rating when landing the Ebor over course and distance in 2023.

Absurde comes out on top on adjusted RPRs and gets the services of top jockey Danny Tudhope, who has a 33 per cent strike-rate when teaming up with Willie Mullins. But he will need to be at top of his game if Alsakib steps forward from his promising reappearance. Winner of last year’s John Smith’s Silver Cup, he was beaten just a length and a half in the Yorkshire Cup after a 209-day break on his first start since being gelded.

He was held up in last in that steadily run affair and did the best of those who challenged towards the far side, so the run can be marked up, and he should be a major force now dropped markedly in class.

El Cordobes thumped a subsequent winner in a handicap last month and ran creditably in a Group 3 last time, albeit he had the run of the race. He is lightly raced and could have more to offer, but will need to find improvement for the longer trip.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Al Qareem
He likes the track and should give another good account as he usually does, but his 5lb penalty makes things less easy.

James Doyle, rider of Alsakib
He ran a cracker to be fourth in the Yorkshire Cup last time when he was taking on Rebel’s Romance. It looked a messy race that day but he came home strong and he would have a good shout on that. I would think a shower of rain would help his chances.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of El Cordobes
We think that stepping up to a mile and six furlongs will hopefully see some improvement. He has produced solid efforts on his last two runs and goes here in great nick.
Reporting by David Milnes

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