Stipulate aiming to provide Lady Cecil with York victory

Following the sad news of the death of Sir Henry Cecil earlier this week, there will be a lot of support for Stipulate who runs in the colours of long-time owner Prince Khaled Abdulla. Lady Cecil wasted no time in sending out her first winners from the stable on Thursday and Stipulate has every chance of adding this Listed prize.

The four-year-old could not peg back shock winner Rewarding in the Festival Stakes at Goodwood over a mile and a quarter last month but that was still a decent effort. The gelding has been admirably consistent with nine places and two victories in 14 career starts but his win to run ratio is a little worrying. The application of blinkers for the first time could make all the difference.

Godolphin are represented by Quick Wit who is making his first start in this country since returning from Dubai. He pulled out all the stops to hold off Jutland in a valuable handicap at Meydan last time out and would go close on that form. However, he seemed a little rusty when reappearing here in July last year after a similar spell abroad.

John Gosden’s Questioning has very similar form figures to Stipulate in that he rarely gets his head in front where it matters. His last victory came in the Earl Of Sefton Stakes at last year’s Craven meeting where he upset the favourite Twice Over.

He finished a close third to Moonstone Magic at Nottingham last time and that run seemed to indicate a return to the winner’s enclosure may not be too far away. Ladys First is another that rarely goes down without a fight and ran her usual game race at Epsom last time.

There are two three-year-olds in the field in Baltic Knight and Sir Patrick Moore. The latter ran a good race in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury when second to Olympic Glory whilst Baltic Knight has run in three decent handicaps. He was beaten six lengths by Remote last time but the winner turn out to be something special.

Pintura won gamely here last time but has previously struggled at this level whilst Storm King looks outclassed.