King to spring Cup surprise and take crown off Strad

Published date08 September 2021
Publication titleWeekender
If it remains dry, both Trueshan and Princess Zoe could bypass this event on account of the ground being too quick.

Joseph O'Brien has three entries in Baron Samedi, Master Of Reality and Melbourne Cup hero Twilight Payment, but they could just as likely run in the Irish St Leger on Sunday, and this race could easily cut up. That means the favourite will likely be odds-on, but he's not the certainty he once was in these contests.

Now seven, Stradivarius's victory in the Lonsdale Cup at York last time, thrilling as it was, was 8lb below his brilliant best on RPRs. He could improve on the back of that performance, but it is also quite possible he'll regress and, when you look at it that way, his short odds make little appeal.

This Group 2 is crying out for a bit of each-way value and I'll go with the three-year-old Dancing King. The Classic generation still get a hefty age allowance in Cup contests at this time of year and their representatives in this race since 2009 have recorded finishing positions of 2314314.

The Mark Johnston-trained selection was a course winner in June, won a Group 3 at Goodwood last month and is up for sale this autumn. If he's able to prove he stays this far, this would be the perfect place in which to advertise his talents.

1. DANCING KING 2. Stradivarius 3. Trueshan Hoo Ya Mal 1.40 Doncaster, Flying Scotsman Stakes, 7f 2yo Listed Hoo Ya Mal only won a maiden last time, but York's Convivial Stakes is traditionally one of hottest maidens all year, and last month's running looked a good one, with the second and third both holding Group 1 entries and the fourth a Group 2.

The fifth has since held up the form when running an 81-rated contender to half a length (giving 3lb), so the fact the selection was such an impressive winner on the Knavesmire should mean he is well up to winning in Listed company on just his third start.

A two-and-a-half-length winner at York, Hoo Ya Mal has some of the best form on show among the entries and is preferred to well-regarded pair Dubawi Legend and Noble Truth, who both came up short in the Acomb Stakes last time.

The former was an impressive winner on his debut here and is respected, while Mr McCann is one who could place at a price.

Best alternative: Dubawi Legend Flying Childers Stakes 2.10 Doncaster, 5f 2yo Group 2 Chipotle went off an 18-1 shot in the Nunthorpe last time, finishing a respectable ninth. That was his seventh start going all the way back to the end of March, so there is a concern he...

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