STRAD’S A LONSDALE BELTER
Cup hero to score historic third success
STRADIVARIUS (2.25, ITV), the iconic gladiator of Cup races, can add an historic third victory in today’sWeatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York.
Denied the opportunity of making it an unprecedented fifth victory in last month’s Goodwood Cup on account of the soft ground, the seven-yearold will have his favoured conditions on the Knavesmire on his penultimate outing before he signs off from the racecourse.
Trueshan, the winner of the Goodwood Cup, by contrast will not have the ground to his liking. Stratum, runner-up behind
Enbihaar in last year’s contest, faces an impossible task in today’s better renewal.
After watching GOLDEN PAL (3.35, nb, ITV) gallop at York on Monday, his rivals all look booked for minor honours in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.
His trainer, Wesley Ward, certainly no mug at the game, believes the colt could be the best he has ever trained.With Battaash, winner of the last two runnings of this Group One, now retired, the American speedball appears to have a simple task. The consistent Arecibo offers the each-way value at 16-1.
The progressive LUSAIL (3.00, treble, ITV) will be a tough nut to crack in the Gimcrack Stakes.
The colt has repeatedly had his winning form enhanced. Asymmetric, runner-up to Richard Hannon’s colt at Newmarket, has since won the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.
On form lines with Eldrickjones he has the edge over Coventry Stakes winner Berkshire Shadow. MY FRANKEL (1.50 ) is worth another chance after getting stuck in the mud at Goodwood last month. He had earlier finished a respectable third behind Alounak at Haydock where Midnights Legacy (same terms) finished fourth.
UMNEYAAT (4.40, nap) is on a winnable mark in the EBF Fillies’ Handicap.
Her trainer DermotWeld does not fire many bullets at the meeting, but when the Irish maestro takes aim they usually hit.