'He'll have his ground and the track will be perfect for him' - key insight for an intriguing City of York

There was always space for a seven-furlong Group 1 for older horses in Britain and those calling for one have finally been rewarded with the upgraded City of York Stakes.

In years gone by, the City of York would have lacked the pulling power to tempt Richard Hannon into running a proper Group 1 horse like Rosallion. Yet this was still an afterthought.

Rosallion was a late absentee due to a bruised foot in last Sunday's Prix Jacques le Marois and the City of York came at the right time as a stand-in Group 1 target. 

It is presumed the minor ailment which forced a late rethink has left no ill effects. A colt with Rosallion's stallion potential would be left alone otherwise.

Rosallion's return to seven furlongs, for the first time since his juvenile days, is an interesting move. Late speed was always his most effective attribute as a miler and theoretically York should play to his strengths. 

Circumstance rather than talent has beaten Rosallion on his past two runs. He shaped best in a slowly run Queen Anne and would have won the Sussex Stakes with lengths to spare if furnished with the even gallop Qirat's rider was briefed to set for Field Of Gold. 

Sectional times confirm that impression as Rosallion was fastest through each of the final three furlongs behind the front-running winner, who finished quicker than par himself. Only another pace misjudgement can see Qirat confirm those positions on the Knavesmire. 

There is a scarcity of top-class form on offer beneath Rosallion. Audience is the only other Group 1 winner in the field and Racing Post Ratings of 106, 101, 99, 92 and 107 on his past five starts reflect a good handicapper rather than City of York winner.

Others have stronger claims of mixing it with Rosallion. Never So Brave deserves his shot at a Group 1 after progressing out of handicaps with success in the Summer Mile at Ascot, cutting down a front-runner who built a lengthy lead with an incisive turn of foot. Going back to seven furlongs should do him no harm.

Maranoa Charlie has earned a reputation as a classy and game seven-furlong performer in France. He may also be a Group 1 winner in waiting, having been mugged late in the Prix Jean Prat last time after outgunning everything bar top-class colt Woodshauna.

Rosallion's team will be pleased at the volume of early pace in the City of York on paper. Maranoa Charlie will be handy. Audience, Qirat and Quinault could feasibly follow suit. 

Lake Forest: intriguing contender in City of YorkCredit: Jeremy Ng

A true test is something Lake Forest has been yearning for as well. Lake Forest's Golden Eagle victory over star sprinter Lazzat last November is Group 1 form in all but name, and his latest second in the Lennox Stakes was an effort to mark up as nothing else got involved from off the pace.

Lake Forest's disappointing Criterion effort at this track came following a sharp turnaround from Royal Ascot. As a Gimcrack winner, any murmurings of a disdain for York are premature.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Don't be fooled into thinking Maranoa Charlie needs soft ground and an easy lead

Punters tempted to pigeonhole Maranoa Charlie as a one-dimensional front-runner who needs plenty of give in the ground to produce his best have been warned that is not the case by both his trainer Christopher Head and Charlie Bond, head of the Yorkshire-based syndicate which owns him.

The exciting three-year-old, who failed by just a short neck to pull off a first Group 1 triumph in Deauville’s Prix Jean Prat last time, never saw another rival in his three last three wins – all in Group 3 company and all of which were registered on ground much softer than is likely on the Knavesmire.

Maranoa Charlie (yellow cap): second in the Prix Jean Prat last timeCredit: © APRH / CLEMENTINE VERET

There is likely to be strong competition for the lead at York from tough-as-teak Quinault, but connections are unperturbed.

"Every time Maranoa Charlie runs he does nothing but please us and he put up a super performance last time," said Head. "We're really happy to be heading to York where I think he'll have his ground and the track will be perfect for him.

"There are some front-runners and, while we'll discuss strategy with Aurelien [Lemaitre], it's possible that for a change he might be able to take a lead if others want to go forward. Everything will be left to the jockey and this could be a huge opportunity for everyone involved."

Bond, who purchased the colt in June, added: "The going descriptions in France are slightly different to in Britain.

"The times that he has produced out there suggest the ground hasn't been as testing as you might imagine from the descriptions.

"Potentially, he could be even better on this quicker ground. We'll leave the tactics to the jockey, but we definitely won't be getting into a pace war."

Does Qirat deserve more respect?

Plenty of column inches have been devoted to Qirat's pirating of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month, but does he deserve more respect than punters and bookmakers are giving him?

The handicapper raised Qirat 13lb to 115 for his neck Goodwood success over Rosallion, which means he is co-second on official ratings alongside Audience, Never So Brave and Maranoa Charlie. Yet the early market had slotted him at a general 18-1 on Friday lunchtime.

Qirat (left) beats Rosallion in the Sussex StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Barry Mahon, racing manager to Qirat's owners Juddmonte, said: "He's come out of Goodwood in good shape. Now that his new handicap mark has come into effect he has to compete in these type of races."

What they say

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Audience
He came out of Goodwood in great shape and it's always been the plan to come back for another crack at this race in which he was fourth a year ago. Fast ground and seven furlongs play to his strengths.

William Haggas, trainer of Lake Forest
It's a strong race, but it's a Group 1 contest for the first time this year and we're very keen to support it. He's not without hope.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Saeed Suhail, owner of Never So Brave
He’s going the right way and couldn’t have been more impressive at Ascot. This is the next step, and he'll have to be a proper Group 1 horse to win. It would have been a bit easier if Rosallion hadn't turned up; now we've got to really work for it. Andrew [Balding] is very happy with him.

Quinault (green cap): 3-3 at York Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Stuart Williams, trainer of Quinault
I'm very happy with him, although slightly disappointed that Rosallion is coming here rather than the Prix Jacques le Marois. Quinault loves York and tries so very hard. You've always got a chance with him.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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3.35 York: 'We've aimed him at the race and we just hope he gets a bit more luck' - top trainers assess their Ebor chances  

Curragh: Churchill, Gleneagles, Magical - who could be the next stars in waiting in Saturday's Group 2 races?  

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