The Group 2 Yorkshire Cup is the feature on day three of York’s Dante meeting, and is one of the premier staying contests during the early part of the flat season. Five runners will contest this year’s renewal and we preview the race below.
Favourites
The two market leaders come from entirely contrasting racing backgrounds, with Rebel’s Romance stepping up to 1m6f for the first time in his career, while Sweet William drops back to this distance for the first time since he was second in the 2023 Ebor over course and distance.
Rebel’s Romance has been a globetrotting superstar for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. Now a seven-year-old, he has won 16 of his 24 races, seven of which have been Group 1s. However, he has only raced in the UK twice since July 2022, winning a Listed race on Kempton’s all-weather, then finishing third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last season. He sees out 1m4f well, but could see his stamina well tested here.
Sweet William has gradually improved throughout his career. He became a Group 2 winner at Doncaster last season over 2m2f, and got closer to Kyprios than ever before when second to that great rival in the British Champions Long Distance Cup in October. He is better suited by soft ground, despite being able to go on quicker, which does sway things towards Rebel’s Romance from a going perspective at least.
Outsiders
A St Leger winner who was fifth in the Arc in 2023, Continuous was expected to hit even greater heights in 2024. However, it worked out significantly differently, as he recorded just one Group 3 win, finishing 15th in the Arc, and Aidan O’Brien’s charge has now been well held on his last five starts. Though he may still have the makings of a stayer, he has quite a lot to prove for now.
Alsakib, on the other hand, is a course and distance winner, doing so at Group 3 level last term. His form then took a dive afterwards, but it is possible this is his optimum trip with 2m being beyond him. That has proven the case with Epic Poet too, who gained a belated victory at Haydock after finishing fourth in the Ebor. His form has been consistent in solid company in the Middle East since January and he is not without a hope of featuring.
Yorkshire Cup Racecard
15:45 York
Good To FirmBoodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes (Group 2)
- 1m 5f 188y
- Class 1
- 5 runners
- Win time: 3m 7s
11/10F (Won)
- Win: £2.10
- Place: £1.30
7/1
- Place: £2.20
100/30
14/1
9/2
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £7.10 |
| Straight Forecast | £8.87 |
| Trifecta | £15.20 |
Selections
Telegraph:
Rebel’s RomanceDaily Record:
Rebel’s RomanceYorkshire Cup Predictions
With the ground on the quicker side, the class of REBEL’S ROMANCE might just shine through, although his stamina will be put to the test by the ever-improving Sweet William, who is still capable enough on good going or faster. The selection has to concede 2lb for having Group 1 victories on his recent CV too, but should be able to overcome it if seeing out the trip. Epic Poet is the one of the remaining trio who could muscle his way into contention.
- Rebel’s Romance
- Sweet William
- Epic Poet
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