14:05 Sandown – JRL Group Atalanta Stakes (Group 3) – Fonteyn – Win
THIS horse already boasts listed winning form ahead of the favourite for this race, Grande Dame. Fonteyn showed honesty in the final two furlongs, fending off the challenge of Grande Dame when they met at York in May. Grande Dame has possibly earned favouritism here by beating Oscula in a listed race at this course over the distance of a mile. This came after she finished a disappointing 11th of 12 in the group one Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Oscula has since gone on to win at group three level twice so it is entirely possible Grande Dame could win here. Fonteyn on the other hand finished fourth in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood last month. This was a promising run in a group one contest over a mile and one furlong. This would suggest she has the stamina to make it up the hill at Sandown over a mile and she coped better at group one level. What didn’t help her in that run is she didn’t settle well in the first furlong but considering the level of the competition fourth was impressive. Being a three-year-old filly, Fonteyn also carries six pounds less than the majority of the field, who arguably have worse form.
15:00 York – Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 2) – Pogo – Each Way
AT the time of writing, Pogo makes for great value each way and if the weather forecast is correct he will get preferred conditions of good or quicker here. He will face the likes of Sandrine and Jumby who have finished ahead of him in his two previous outings, both being group two contests. Sandrine was carrying ten pounds less than Pogo at Goodwood last month and only beat him by just over a neck. With the weight difference eight pounds in her favour this time, Pogo might be able to reverse the form. Jumby’s victory in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last week was more convincing and it saw Pogo finish out of the places. He has however placed in group two contests four times in his career, twice over the distance of seven furlongs and even placed third in the group one Prix D’ispahan in July 2020. He is a front-runner who fights hard to hold his position in the late stages and has proved he can challenge at this level. He could be in the picture again here and a placing would be enough to see returns.
16:45 York – Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) – Rocket Rodney
ROCKET Rodney steps back down in class to listed level after a special performance by Trillium denied him a group three success at Goodwood in the Molecomb. he led two furlongs from home and was unlucky to face an incredible turn of foot by the eventual winner to overtake him. George Scott’s runner still finished second and he is the only horse in this field who has had success at listed level. That earns Rocket Rodney a three pound penalty he should be able to overturn. He is also straightforward for a sprinter and is normally well behaved before races, which would explain why he has been first in the stalls in his last two races. This is a small detail but very important at York as it is easy for temperamental runners can get too worked up on their way to post. This is a field of two-year-old sprinters and this could be an important factor.
Hawkinsport 