York - Fri 10 Jul 2026
NORTHERN EXPRESS probably isn't the force of old, but he made a pleasing return to UK shores at Newmarket last month. Michael Dods' gelding has been a mainstay in this type of race for some time now and a strongly-run 7f is right up his street. It's been a while since he last tasted success, but it did come off 7lb higher and if he is going to regain the winning thread in any scenario, this might be it. The draw has done Our Havana no favours but the recent C&D winner merits respect. Others to make the shortlist include Andesite, Morte Point and Lir Speciale.
SPICY MARG was a sharp two-year-old and was thought good enough to contest the 1000 Guineas on her return to action. That didn't go to plan, but she showed more in the Sandy Lane before producing a career-best performance to finish within a head of Venetian Sun in the Commonwealth Cup. That is undoubtedly a really strong piece of form and if reproducing it, she will take all the beating. Flora Of Bermuda lost her race at the start in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes but that effort can be forgiven and, although below par on her Newbury return, Royal Fixation should do better now.
Bear Lee was a cosy winner at Musselburgh and should have more to offer, but she will need improvement if she's to defy a penalty in what looks a deeper contest. There are a number of notable newcomers lining up, including the Karl Burke-trained Lady Titania. Richard & Peter Fahey saddle two and Kirton Angel appears their main hope given that she's the choice of Oisin Orr. Preference, though, is for ELEVATING, whose pedigree suggests she's all about speed and, with her yard among the winners, it would come as no surprise were she forward enough to strike.
GET OUTTA HERE could be considered an unlucky loser at Goodwood last time. Trapped against the rail, he flew home once in the clear and missed out by only a nose. The winner has subsequently gone in again so that form looks solid and David Menuisier's charge gets the vote. Yarmouth runner-up Luzon Heights has been threatening to resume winning ways. He'll likely be thereabouts once again, while Zarvali could also land a blow.
Frankies Dream has placed here on his last couple of outings and another solid effort looks on the cards. He's preferred to Glistening Nights, who went close over C&D in amateur company last time, but KAHIN looks one to keep on the right side of. He landed a maiden when upped to 1m1f at Hamilton last month and there is likely plenty more to come from the son of Kingman as he makes his handicap bow.
Ancient State shot up the golden highway at Lingfield to complete a double recently and must be respected given his upward trajectory, but the three-year-old I'M DAN DARE shares a similar profile and might be the value. A narrow C&D defeat is sandwiched between Catterick and Newcastle successes and although those wins came at a lower level, the weight-for-age allowance could be crucial. Eternal Sunshine and Emerald Harmony are a couple of others to consider.
GREEN SKY made a successful stable debut when dotting up at Chepstow. That was her first start since April so improvement looks likely from Rod Millman's new inmate, with Toby Moore's allowance cancelling out a 5lb penalty. Nightsinwhitesatin returned a beaten favourite once again when finishing a close second at Catterick. She's not out of this and neither is Humble Spark, who went agonisingly close when last seen over C&D.
ANDESITE has been in good form and was only narrowly denied over C&D last time, so a 2lb rise looks manageable as he bids to go one better. His ability of late gives him a good chance, and he looks a solid contender in a big field. Goldmoyne has been running consistently well and again shaped with credit at Newmarket last time, while his front-running style could be an asset if able to secure a good position. Angel Hunter has dropped back to his last winning mark and arrives after another respectable effort at Newmarket, which was better than the bare result, but will need to find a little more to regain the winning thread.
SPICY MARG has continued to progress at a rapid rate and produced another career-best effort when only narrowly denied in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last time. Still on an upward curve and with this 6f trip ideal, she sets a strong standard. Flora Of Bermuda is better judged on her previous Listed success at Newmarket after her below-par run at Ascot, where something looked amiss, and she is capable of bouncing back if all is well. Fitzella also ran a huge race from a big price in the Commonwealth Cup, setting a strong pace and sticking on well, and she remains a major player if able to reproduce that level of form in these somewhat calmer waters, albeit still highly competitive.
BEAR LEE took a clear step forward when winning by a handy few lengths at Musselburgh last time and, having shown she has plenty of speed for this trip, looks the one to beat with further improvement likely. Lady Titania is an interesting newcomer from the Karl Burke yard that does particularly well with juveniles and her pedigree as 80,000gns Showcasing filly suggests she could know plenty on debut. Kevin Ryan is also doing a good job with juveniles this campaign, and Gladys Pugh is another eye-catching debutant with a strong price tag, costing 200,000gns, and a family that offers plenty of encouragement for 6f, so she also needs to be considered.
HAMBELTON took a major step forward when bolting up at Cork last time and, although a revised mark demands plenty more, he won with enough in hand to suggest he may still have more to offer. Get Outta Here has also been progressive in handicaps and backed up his Lingfield success with a narrow second last time, so he remains a strong contender despite another rise in the weights. Napolian improved for the step up in trip when scoring at Leicester and is another going the right way, though he needs to prove he can transfer that improvement into this stronger company.
KAHIN showed improved form when getting off the mark stepped up to 9f for the first at Hamilton last time and, with this even further trip expected to suit, he looks an exciting handicap prospect for powerful connections. Further progress is likely and he can take another step forward for William Haggas. Frankies Dream shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up over a mile here last time and, with the step up in trip likely to bring out more of him as well, he could be involved again. Ciao Capo arrives chasing a hat-trick after back-to-back wins and looked to have plenty left in the tank at Wetherby, so he remains a major threat despite a 7lb rise.
EQUITY LAW has been in good form in his last couple of outings and got his head back in front at Pontefract last time, with a willing attitude seeing him prevail by a head. He remains capable off this mark and, with conditions in his favour, can go well again. Ancient State arrives here flying after he completed a double at Lingfield last time, so although a rise in the weights and a step up in class ask more, he looks a progressive sprinter who should not be underestimated. Eternal Sunshine has also returned to form in recent starts and was narrowly denied at Doncaster last time, making her another with solid claims from the same mark.
GREEN SKY looked a different proposition returned to this sphere when bolting up at Chepstow last time, winning by 7 1/2l with plenty in hand. A 5lb rise is unlikely to stop him if able to reproduce that level of form, and he looks the one to beat under Toby Moore. Nightsinwhitesatin has been running consistently well and shaped with plenty of encouragement when narrowly denied at Catterick, so he is a major danger off the same mark. Nicator is a progressive looking gelding and shaped well when just denied by a short-head at Yarmouth, with this further step up in trip likely to suit as he continues to improve.
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