The Yorkshire Cup is the feature race to end a glorious week at York racecourse. With seven going to post, some past and future stars will slug it out, and Joe Napier previews the race alongside his selection.
The race went the way of Giavellotto in a 14/1 shock in 2023. He returns to defend his title this year.
TOWER OF LONDON
(Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore)
After a slow build in 2023, Tower Of London appears to have truly come of age and looks the rising star in the stayers’ ranks on the flat. He only narrowly missed out on Group race honours in Newmarket’s Bahrain Trophy last season, while he was also fourth to stablemate Continuous in the St Leger. Now though, he has taken the step up.
He won the Group 3 Red Sea Turf Handicap in Saudi Arabia back in February before a buttery smooth success in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan. There was plenty of market confidence behind him that day, but he delivered upon it and now looks a horse who many will have to beat in similar races. The only negative is the 3lb penalty he incurs for that success, but he will require some stopping nonetheless.
VAUBAN
(Willie Mullins/William Buick)
A superb dual purpose performer, Vauban would have been expected to be competing for Champion Hurdles rather than Royal Ascot Gold Cups. However, a sensational victory in the recently introduced Copper Horse Handicap at the royal meeting last season vaulted him into a different plain on the flat, and he soon followed up in a Group 3 at Naas.
He disappointed when favourite for the Melbourne Cup, but he is far from the first British or Irish raider who failed to do himself justice in that race. He is perfectly capable fresh otherwise, operates on any ground, and looks dangerous here if recapturing his Ascot form. This trip is probably ideal for him on the level too.
GIAVELLOTTO
(Marco Botti/Oisin Murphy)
Last year’s winner is without a victory since, but he has been very consistent in his racing. Fresh from a spell chasing Tower Of London home in Dubai, he returns to the scene of his biggest success.
He has twice been placed in Group company in the past year, including when conceding 6lb to the favourite in Saudi Arabia when beaten just a length. He was once again conceding 6lb, though was beaten more substantially by Tower Of London in the Dubai Gold Cup, so though the weights are now significantly more in his favour, he has to cope with that more progressive rival and a potentially deeper field this year.
THE FIELD
The rest of the field appear tightly matched. Hamish has found enough to deny Al Qareem the last twice at Newmarket and Newbury, though he prefers firmer ground and age is very much on Karl Burke’s star’s side in terms of turning the tables here. Both have a little to prove at this trip at this level though.
Gregory on the other hand is a fairly surefire stayer, needing almost every yard to win the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. He subsequently disappointed in the Great Voltigeur and St Leger, but it would be far from a surprise if he had improvement in him as a four-year-old given the stamina he showed at three.
Last in is rank outsider Naqeeb, who is the only one who has a significant amount to find on ratings and form. That said, he was progressing nicely last season and has finished third in Pattern company the last twice. As a half brother to Baaeed and Hukum, there is every chance he will keep getting better with age, but might not quite be ready to win this just yet.
VERDICT
Giavellotto is weighted to give Tower Of London a fright in terms of reversing form from their races in the Middle East. However, both make less appeal than VAUBAN, who looked capable of anything when bolting up at Royal Ascot last year and is forgiven his Melbourne Cup no-show. He should find this trip and ground to be perfect for him and the 3lb he gets from the favourite may make all the difference.
- Vauban
- Tower Of London
- Giavellotto
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