Race Shape & Angles

• Pace: Likely honest, possibly strong. Boiling Point and Bullet Point have made running in the past; Skukuza also races handily. With multiple forward-goers, a decent gallop looks assured.
• Draw: On the round course at York, middle-to-low is ideal. Boiling Point (3), Bullet Point (7), King’s Gambit (5) and Skukuza (4) all well-berthed. No major disadvantage visible.

---

Strongest Contenders

King’s Gambit (H Charlton, Saxon Warrior, Draw 5) – Class edge

• Group 2 placed at York last year; unlucky not to win Hampton Court (Ascot).
• Excellent 3rd in Listed Wolferton-style race at Ascot this year, and prior Group form stacks up.
• RPR peak 126, comfortably above this field. Drop to 1m177y could sharpen his finish.
  Score: 9.5/10

Checkandchallenge (W Knight, Fast Company, Draw 6) – Class dropper

• Best RPR 122, consistent at Group 2/Listed level.
• Usually held up; pace scenario could help if they go hard up front.
• Long losing run (since 2023), but retains ability.
  Score: 8/10

Bowmark (Gosden, Kingman, Draw 2, 3yo WFA) – Unexposed improver

• RPR 111 in Prix du Jockey Club (excuses: raced too freely).
• Maiden and Listed form progressive, York win (7.9f) in May impressive.
• Weight-for-age allowance (7lb) a big plus.
  Score: 8.5/10

Gladius (A Balding, Night Of Thunder, Draw 8, 3yo WFA) – Rapid improver

• 3 wins from 4, latest Goodwood handicap win off 94 (RPR 112).
• Solid sectional upgrades, tough attitude.
• First crack at pattern level, but figures suggest he belongs.
  Score: 8/10

King Of Cities (Hannon, Dubawi, Draw 1, 3yo WFA) – Interesting 3yo

• Strong French Derby 9th (beaten 4l), Listed form solid.
• Close 3rd in G3 at Goodwood last time; shapes as if 1m–1m2f ideal.
• Still improving, dangerous with WFA.
  Score: 8/10

---

Dangers / Outsiders

• Skukuza (E Dunlop, Blue Point, Draw 4) – won Curragh Listed race decisively (RPR 120), but exposed handicapper type. May find Group 3 harder. 7/10
• Boiling Point (K R Burke, Too Darn Hot, Draw 3) – genuine, ran to 115 in Listed company, but pattern record suggests more Group 3 placer than winner. 7/10
• Bullet Point (Haggas, Advertise, Draw 7) – hugely progressive handicapper (RPR 117), but first try in Group class. Stable won this last year. Could outrun odds if pace collapses. 7.5/10

---

Runner Scores

• King’s Gambit – 9.5/10 class standout, strong York record
• Bowmark – 8.5/10 WFA angle, potential improver
• Gladius – 8/10 upward curve, needs more but likable
• King Of Cities – 8/10 progressive 3yo, consistent
• Checkandchallenge – 8/10 class drop, late charge possible
• Bullet Point – 7.5/10 hot handicapper, could sneak into frame
• Boiling Point – 7/10 solid, but exposed at this level
• Skukuza – 7/10 Listed winner, but question at Group 3

---

Private Tissue (Raceform View)

• King’s Gambit 5/2
• Bowmark 4/1
• Gladius 9/2
• King Of Cities 6/1
• Checkandchallenge 13/2
• Bullet Point 8/1
• Boiling Point 12/1
• Skukuza 14/1

---

Summary & Smart Play

This is a high-quality renewal with a strong 3yo challenge (Bowmark, Gladius, King Of Cities). But King’s Gambit brings the best proven Group form, and his York record (Voltigeur 3rd, close 2nd in Group 2) makes him the one to beat.

Smart Play:

• Win bet: King’s Gambit – class edge, course form, Group 2 standard dropping into Group 3.
• Each-way saver: Gladius – unexposed, progressive, and could run a career best with Oisin Murphy.