FRIDAY’S feature sees the return of a number of our favourite stayers.
A leg of the million pound bonus, Stradivarius took this last season and returns as a five-year-old to defend his crown.
The clear one to beat and in reality, a class apart from these despite the penalty he carries here.
Unbeaten last season, he looks to have the staying division in his pocket until someone else arrives on the scene.
Doesn’t lack a turn of foot either and won’t mind the quick ground on the Knavesmire.
Never the flashiest of horses, but his record speaks for itself and he tends to deliver when it matters.
Started off in style for new connections after being bought out of Aidan O’Briens, but things haven’t gone to plan since.
Has also done most of his best work on the all weather and very hard to make a case for him in this.
Has been found out on recent starts and up against it in this class.
Looked a young stayer on the up early last season but fell away as the summer rolled on.
His best run arguably came when second in this last season, but as mentioned showed very little after that.
Could well have needed this break, but hard to trust and you’ll need to see some confidence in the market before giving any hope.
Could well be the one to threaten the favourite after a impressive campaign out in Dubai, which included a second in the Dubai Gold Cup.
Only has 4lbs to find in the ratings with Stradivarius and is in the receipt of 3lbs – so it is easy to make a case on those grounds.
Appleby has always spoken highly of this horse, and this will be his first real test back on home soil. Interesting, but not much juice left in his price either.
Improved again up in trip behind Communique in Group 2 company last time.
Up again in trip here, but this arguably demands more and will likely find one or two too good once again.
Then again, you can never rule out a Johnston horse with De Sousa in the saddle.
Has been a revelation on the all weather, and takes a step into the unknown trip wise here.
Still has to prove he is as adept on the turf, but interesting Palmer steps him up to this staying trip here.
Unexposed, but hard to trust with your hard earned wonga with so many questions to answer.
First start for new connections and first run after a wind-op after being bought out of John Gosdens.
Showed previous smart form for Gosden, but that was all on soft ground and won’t get that here.
Another that it is quite easy to oppose, even at huge prices.
Could be a stayer to follow this season. Improved last season when the penny dropped, with a highlight being an encouraging third in the St Leger.
That gives him every right to aim high this season and despite an average comeback at Navan, that should put him bang on for this.
Has a Gold Cup entry and you cannot rule out anything coming from this stable at the moment.
