Gospel Choir up for the Yorkshire Cup

The Group 2 Yorkshire Cup is the feature race on the final day of York’s Dante meeting (2.45), and Gospel Choir looks the answer to an excellent renewal.

The Sir Michael Stoute trained five-year-old has only had 10 starts, winning on five occasions.

The son of Galileo showed progressive form in handicaps in 2012/13, before shaping really well when finishing fourth to Mull Of Killough in a Group 3 contest over 1m 1f at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance.

Gospel Choir kept on well under tender handling to be beaten 2 1/4 lengths, and duly improved for the outing and step up in trip to 1m 4f when landing the Group 3 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket last time out by a comfortable 2 1/4 lengths from Pether’s Moon.

The way the gelding finished off that race suggested today’s 1m 6f should hold no fears, and with a prospect of even better to come, and Ryan Moore in the saddle, looks the one they all have to beat.

Tac de Boistron produced a terrific performance when bolting up by five lengths in the Sagaro at Ascot on his seasonal reapperance and rates a big danger.

The ex-French gelding did well last year after joining Newmarket trainer Marco Botti, winning a Listed contest at Chester by eight lengths before going on to land the Group 1 French St Leger.

The seven-year-old has to shoulder a penalty for the later, and giving 4lb away to the likes of Gospel Choir won’t be easy.

However, his form sets the standard for others to aim at and Tac de Boistron looks sure to give it his best shot.

Another runner worthy of the utmost respect is Ahzeemah.

The Saeed bin Suroor trained gelding was in cracking form in Dubai in the early part of last year before landing the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup over 2m at this track.

The son of Dubawi went on to finish a solid second in the Group 1 Irish St Leger, and will appreciate the drying ground on the Knavesmire.

The five-year-old aslo has a good record fresh, plus the services of the in-form Kieren Fallon in the saddle.