2.15 York
Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup (Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £79,478
Pick: Electrolyser (win & each/way)
Akmal: Ran on a real streak in 2009, getting 7 wins and landing 2m Group 3 at Newmarket on final start; Hasn’t been as consistent but best effort when landing Henry II Stakes under canny ride; More needed under penalty but capable.
Illustrious Blue: Admirable campaigner who has excellent record at Goodwood (7 wins there) and improved for first try over this trip when winning Sagaro Stakes at Ascot; Beaten on next 2 starts but was giving weight to King Of Wands and Akmal, and put in best effort yet when landing Goodwood Cup last time; Hard to tell if that was through real improvement or due to his favourite course (not to mention a leg injury suffered by Age Of Aquarius) but if repeating that form should go well here.
Ask: Always shown high level of form (sixth behind Zarkava in Arc 2 seasons ago) and romped home with Yorkshire Cup last season before winning Coronation Cup in good style; Excelled himself in improving still when third behind Conduit and Tartan Bearer in King George and won another top level race when wining Prix Royal Oak; Came to Ascot Gold Cup without a run but was still backed into 11/4 favourite; Disappointing when only fifth but would have needed the run following a break and ground was very fast; Should go well here under Oliver Peslier. – NON RUNNER.
Electrolysis: Won 2m listed race at Ascot in 2009 and showed further improvement when third to Illustrious Blue in Sagaro Stakes there in April; Possibly didn’t have to improve to come second in Goodwood Cup behind Illustrious Blue but he is 3lbs better off an d weighted to reverse form.
Free Agent: Although he never quite went on from his 2 year old promise, he shaped like a stayer when showing decent form last year; Improved on second start back, beating Drunken Sailor in listed handicap over 1¾m at York; Ran solid race when fourth in Goodwood Cup last time although has to repose top 2.
King Of Wands: Has made up into quite a useful stayer this season, actually getting better of Illustrious Blue last time out; That form on balance gives him strong hand but he was getting 5lbs and this is a much stronger contest.
Moon Indigo: Held some useful form for Ballydoyle last season and satisfactory start for Howard Johnson when fourth behind Free Agent last time but this a lot stronger contest.
Opinion Poll: Progressive sort who fairly romped away with big 12f handicap last year at Ascot and is even better with cut in the ground, as he showed when looking like Group horse all over when cantering away at Nottingham at beginning of season; Has since won a listed race cosily in France but well beaten on other 2 starts and others appeal more.
Samuel: Third in Yorkshire Cup 2 years ago before 2 useful efforts behind Tranquil Tiger and Distinction; Ran very well on comeback from long break last time out but needs more to make impact in this.
Tastahil: Did nothing but improve last year, taking his form to a new level with a nice all the way success at Newbury in soft ground before good string of efforts in group company; Gallant front running effort in Chester Cup under topweight but outclassed in Gold Cup and needs a lot more to be competitive.
VERDICT: King Of Wands is progressing nicely, A back to form Akmal should go well, Opinion Poll will like the ground more if it has cut, while Illustrious Blue should also take the beating but ELECTROLYSER is weighted to reverse form from their Goodwood Cup Meeting and is backed on that basis.
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