25-Jul-09

Kirklees is a worthy favourite in the Sky Bet York Stakes at York. A Group 1 winner in Italy as a juvenile in 2006, his performance in landing a listed race at Sandown last time was a high class performance, and he does now shape up as if he is going to fulfil the potential that he showed in two runs at the back end of the 2007 season. The runner-up the last day at Sandown, his stable companion Covert Ambition, did let the form down at Newbury on Saturday, but there was no pace in that race after the two potential pace-setters were withdrawn, Covert Ambition is better than that, and Kirklees gave him a comprehensive beating anyway. It looks like Tranquil Tiger is going to be in Saturday’s race, so Kirklees should be able to take a nice lead off him, just as he did at Sandown. He is at his best on good ground, or ground just on the easy side, which it should be at York on Saturday, and the track should suit his handy racing style. He is progressive now, the Godolphin horses are in fine form, and he is worth backing at 7/2.

KIRKLEES WON (ADV 7/2, SP 1/1)