£665,000 prize fund. A strong renewal of this newly promoted Group 1, attracting a deep mix of established older horses and rising 3yo talent.

Pace/DRAW:

• Likely leaders: Quinault, Maranoa Charlie, possibly Qirat (if connections revert to front-running).
• Pressers: Audience, Ten Bob Tony.
• Hold-up types: Rosallion, Lake Forest, Never So Brave, Seagulls Eleven.
• York’s 7f can favour those with a stalking sit just off the pace – overly aggressive leaders may set it up for a strong finisher. Draw looks neutral with even spread of speed.

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Strongest Contenders

Rosallion (Hannon, Levey) – Proven / Class Angle

• Already a Group 1 winner at 7f and a dual Guineas hero this season.
• Travelled best in the Sussex but gave Qirat too much rope.
• 7f should suit ideally – York straight track plays to his closing kick.
• Peak RPR 130 – the highest in the field.

Never So Brave (Balding, Murphy) – Progressive

• Rapid rise since gelding, Ascot handicap win (124 RPR) then Group 2 Summer Mile success (125 RPR).
• Strong finishing style suggests 7f on fast ground is ideal.
• Still unexposed at this level, profile screams Group 1 player.

Audience (Gosden, Havlin) – Proven Group 1 horse / Track Suited

• Surprise Lockinge winner (129 RPR) shows he can score at the very top level.
• York 7f is ideal – he made all to win last year’s City of York (then G2).
• If allowed to stride, he’s very dangerous; cheekpieces helped last time.

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Main Dangers

Lake Forest (Haggas, Marquand) – Promising

• Golden Eagle (Aus) winner over 7.5f, and good seconds in Queen Anne + Lennox.
• Needs a proper pace, as he finishes late.
• Ground/track fine, but may find one too sharp again at 7f G1 pace.

Quinault (Williams, Hart) – Front-runner / Course Specialist

• Loves York (3 from 3 at track), made all in Criterion here.
• Hard to peg back when he dominates.
• This is tougher depth-wise, but could still shape the race if uncontested.

Maranoa Charlie (Head, Lemaitre) – French Raider / Upward Curve

• Prix Paul de Moussac winner, close 2nd in Prix Jean Prat.
• Very smart 3yo, versatile tactically.
• Still improving and may well be underestimated.

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Interesting Outsiders

Ten Bob Tony (Walker, Buick) – Consistent, beat Kinross last time (121 RPR). Prefers some cut but tough and reliable. Place claims.

Exactly (A. O’Brien) – Frankel filly, G1 winner at 2, consistent this year but hasn’t looked top-class. Could sneak a place if pace collapses.

Seagulls Eleven (Palmer) – Improving 3yo, but all form below 120. May lack the finishing gears for this.

Annaf (Appleby) – Admirable sprinter, but peak efforts at 6f. Looks vulnerable over this trip in G1 company.

Qirat (Beckett) – Shock Sussex winner at 150/1. That looked a freak result. Very hard to repeat.

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Runner Scores (Suitability out of 10)

• Rosallion – 9/10 (class act, perfect trip)
• Never So Brave – 9/10 (progressive, major danger if pace strong)
• Audience – 8/10 (can dominate, but needs things his way)
• Lake Forest – 7/10 (strong finisher, place claims)
• Maranoa Charlie – 7/10 (improver, could spring surprise)
• Quinault – 7/10 (loves York, may control early)
• Ten Bob Tony – 6/10 (honest, ground key, likely short of G1 class)
• Exactly – 6/10 (honest filly, but needs others to underperform)
• Seagulls Eleven – 5/10 (still learning, might find this too deep)
• Annaf – 4/10 (7f stretch, better at 6f)
• Qirat – 4/10 (Sussex a fluke, vulnerable here)

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Private Tissue (Fair Odds)

• Rosallion 2/1
• Never So Brave 3/1
• Audience 9/2
• Lake Forest 7/1
• Maranoa Charlie 8/1
• Quinault 10/1
• Ten Bob Tony 16/1
• Exactly 20/1
• Seagulls Eleven 25/1
• Annaf 40/1
• Qirat 40/1

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Summary

This looks like a Rosallion v Never So Brave clash, with Audience the pace danger if allowed to stride freely. Lake Forest and Maranoa Charlie are the most likely to pick up pieces if the principals underperform. Quinault may shape the race from the front but is vulnerable late.

Smart Play (Pro Punter View)

• Win Bet: Rosallion – classiest horse in the race, trip ideal.
• Each-Way Saver: Never So Brave – progressive profile, will be flying late if pace is strong.