Battaash the one to bank on at York meet
Battaash lit up York last summer with a record-breaking run to win the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes - and he is hard to oppose in his bid for back-to-back successes in the five-furlong feature.
Looking back on it now, it seems remarkable Battaash had not won this historic sprint in two previous attempts, after he put that hoodoo to bed with a brilliant display.
Charlie Hills' six-year-old has looked better than ever this season, with wins in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and a fourth successive romp in the King George Stakes at Goodwood.
His rivals here include a pair of young pretenders in Art Power and A'Ali, who have excellent records and are extremely talented, but Battaash has speed to burn and looks in a different league at this stage of their careers.
Sadly, there is no Stradivarius going for a hat-trick of victories in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup.
Nayef Road can take full advantage of his absence, after finishing second to John Gosden's top-drawer stayer in the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup on his last two starts.
The Mark Johnstontrained four-year-old had the Irish Derby winner Santiago behind him at Goodwood, and a repeat of that performance should be more than enough to see him home.
The consistent Yazaman was no match for Supremacy at Goodwood last month - but in the unexpected absence of the impressive Richmond Stakes winner, William Haggas' youngster can have his moment in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack.
Yazaman has had to settle for an honourable runner-up spot three times in succession since making a successful debut at Yarmouth in June.
Supremacy and Tactical are the only horses to beat him, though, at Listed level and then twice in Group Two company.
On that basis, Yazaman sets the standard once more in Group Two company against a host of unexposed rivals who must improve on promising beginnings to get the better of him.
In the opening Sky Bet Handicap, Restorer may be able to put one over on a competitive field full of mostly younger rivals.
Ian Williams' eight-yearold ran poorly in this race last year, but is in far better form this summer and should find the return to 12 furlongs here just about right.
Rewaayat can strike in Salisbury's Pitton Handicap, for Battaash's trainer Hills.
The five-year-old was a winner over six furlongs at the Wiltshire track last month.
He came unstuck when going for three in a row at Goodwood, where he was sent off favourite in a better race.