Stencive drawn wide as 22 declared for Magnet Cup

The ante-post favourite Stencive will take his chance in the John Smith’s Magnet Cup at York on Saturday but will have to overcome a wide draw. Jockey Graham Lee will be hoping to land his third successive big Saturday handicap on William Haggas’s runner who finished an excellent second at Royal Ascot.

Sir Michael Stoute has withdrawn Rye House and there is no place in the field for recent winners Nabucco or Whispering Warrior. Haggas has also elected to run Danchai who was sixth behind Prince of Johanne at Sandown last week.

The best backed horse in recent days has been Doncaster Spring Mile winner Educate. Ismail Mohammed’s gelding won at Lingfield in May but had no chance from a bad draw in the Royal Hunt Cup last time out. There should be no excuses for him here from stall 7 but he is stepping up in distance.

Ralph Beckett’s Niceofyoutotellme has drawn 14 as he bids for a hat-trick after winning at Kempton and Newmarket. Mark Johnston has given the go-ahead for Old Newton Cup winner Star Lahib (drawn 18) to attempt a quick follow up and he is joined by Fennell Bay (drawn 1) who was third in the Haydock feature.

Richard Fahey is also doubly represented with top weight Area Fifty One (drawn 13) and Garde Cotiere (drawn 22). David Barron runs Clon Brulee (well drawn in 6) and Tres Coronas (drawn 4). Clon Brulee has been well supported following his victory in the Zetland Gold Cup.

David O’Meara’s Awake My Soul turns out again after running a fair third to Nabucco here recently. He is joined by stable companion Total Skyllachy. Godolphin rely on Kempton winner Expert Fighter (drawn 15) from their original list of entries and he will be ridden by Silvestre de Sousa.

Last year’s winner King’s Warrior returns for another crack at this valuable prize and Brian Ellison’s Saptapadi is another interesting runner in a typically wide open race.