By Anita Chambers, P
Lake Forest can benefit from a step up to seven furlongs in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes on the final day of the Ebor Festival.
William Haggas’ charge has not triumphed since taking the Gimcrack at this fixture last year, but he has run two excellent races in defeat so far this term.
After a lacklustre final juvenile start in the Middle Park, Lake Forest returned to the track at Royal Ascot where he was a fast-finishing second to Inisherin in the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs before filling the same position in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.
Again he was putting in all his best work at the end and given his breeding, this move up in distance seems a logical step in a race that boasts a notable first prize of £283,550.
The Sky Bet Ebor Handicap is always a tricky puzzle to solve and Epic Poet might be the one as he tackles the one-mile-six-furlong trip for the first time.
He was last seen finishing fifth in the 10-furlong John Smith’s Cup here in mid-July, having previously taken second place in the Duke of Edinburgh over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot.
His stamina is obviously open to question, but if Danny Tudhope can ride his usual waiting race and limit any early efforts, Epic Poet has a chance of going the distance.
See The Fire can make full use of her fillies’ allowance in the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes.
Beaten just a neck by Opera Singer in the Group One Nassau Stakes, she is the obvious form choice with the conditions of the race further enhancing her appeal.
Lead Artist is a worthy favourite for the William Hill Celebration Mile Stakes at Goodwood.
John and Thady Gosden have taken a patient approach with this son of Dubawi, who kicked off his career at Newmarket in April and won a York novice before graduating to Group Three glory in the Thoroughbred Stakes over the same mile he faces here earlier in the month.
He missed the break a little that day and had to work to get to the front, but he kept finding for pressure and his three-quarter-length verdict was all the more meritorious in the circumstances.
A late developer who is clearly on the upgrade, Lead Artist is the one to beat.
Formal is the pick in the William Hill Prestige Fillies’ Stakes after making a very favourable impression when winning on debut.
Bred to be special as a daughter of Dubawi out of Falmouth Stakes winner Veracious, Formal barely had to hit top gear to win by just over a length at Newbury in July and this looks an ideal stepping stone for Sir Michael Stoute’s charge ahead of bigger targets in the autumn.
My Prospero posted an encouraging effort on his return to action and can build on that in the Weatherbys Global Stallions Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.
The five-year-old was a Group Two winner in his pomp a couple of seasons ago but he fell short when highly tried last term and did not start his 2024 campaign until earlier this month.
Dropped to conditions company at Goodwood, My Prospero had to settle for third place as the 6-4 favourite, not enjoying much luck in running at all.
That half-length defeat should serve as a nice sharpener for this Group Three affair.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 8 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
CARTMEL: 2.15 Cavern Club, 2.50 Shengai Enki, 3.25 City Derby, 4.00 Lermoos Legend, 4.35 Dr Sanderson, 5.05 Morandi Second, 5.35 Huit Reflets.
CURRAGH: 1.45 Officer, 2.20 Yaxchilan, 2.55 Shoda, 3.30 Henri Matisse, 4.05 Bedtime Story, 4.40 Estate Planning, 5.10 Tachos, 5.40 Goldrush Kid.
GOODWOOD: 1.30 Love Is The Law, 2.05 Formal, 2.40 Lead Artist, 3.15 Zealot, 3.50 Miller Spirit, 4.25 Sunbelt, 4.55 Angle Land.
KILLARNEY: 1.55 The Mediator, 2.30 The Vegas Raider, 3.05 Springboard, 3.40 Littlebiggie, 4.15 Jacksons Gold, 4.50 Pink In The Park, 5.25 Grange Walk, 5.55 Pure Logic.
NEWMARKET: 1.40 Invictus Gold, 2.10 Dashing Dick, 2.45 Granger Bay, 3.20 Lesley’s Boy, 3.55 Sakheer, 4.30 Assail, 5.02 Good Earth.
REDCAR: 4.58 Young Fire, 5.30 Sweet Cicely, 6.00 Harlem Nights, 6.30 Knights Affair, 7.00 Novello Lad, 7.30 Barnaby, 8.00 Pink Stripes.
WINDSOR: 5.15 Danger Alert, 5.45 Midnight Thunder, 6.15 Deira Mile, 6.15 My Prospero, 7.15 Intercessor, 7.45 Red Cloud.
YORK: 1.50 See The Fire, 2.25 Master Builder, 3.00 LAKE FOREST (NAP), 3.35 Epic Poet, 4.10 Cover Up, 4.45 Vingegaard, 5.20 Paradias.
DOUBLE: Lake Forest and See The Fire.
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