Strensall Stakes 2011 - York Ebor Festival 2011 (Day 3)

3.05 York

Sky Bet Mobile Strensall Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £42,532

Advice: 0.5 pt each/way Biondetti (7/1 Boylesports)

Kings Gambit: Career best when winning Sandown Group 3 from the front but that form hasn’t quite carried over on next two starts and others preferred here in tough affair.

Anmar: Improved markedly to land valuable prize in Dubai Carnival last year but well below form on his two starts since; Only encouraging comeback since when behind Dux Scholar on second run from 15 month break and looks likely to be held.

Critical Moment: Found steady improvement last year, winning listed event (made most, found plenty) in good style at Goodwood; Decent return when well beaten third in Ascot listed event (mile) and fair effort when fourth twice since but exposed.

Green Destiny: Has found two ways of running despite containing steady progression this year, flopping as handicap good thing at Royal Ascot but bouncing back in tremendous style for John Smith’s Cup when running out clear cut winner; Needed more than a mile and probably didn’t get the best run when unplaced at Glorious Goodwood so can do well here.

Nationalism: Beneficiary of a very strong ride and probably a little bit of luck to get better of 3 who have franked the form since at Windsor, including Dux Scholar (who was making seasonal reappearance); Can go well again.

Penitent: Impressive Lincoln winner last year who has proven himself worthy of Listed company since; Didn’t get the breaks when in Ireland latest but exposed by now and others seem better options.

Biondetti: faultless in winning his first three starts, showing endearing attitude to scramble home in Premio Gran Criterium but even better when coming fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile; Made an encouraging comeback when second at Masions-Laffite and should go well, particularly if improving for that run.

Dux Scholar: Progressive as 2yo and continued improving when edged out by Nationalism in tight finish and clearly improved when making smooth headway to win Newbury Listed race; Make another bold bid.

Tazahum: Improved on debut winning form when a well beaten second behind Dubawi Gold (has been vastly improved since then) & reappeared with impressive handicap win; Bettered that form when winning Heron Stakes (shaped as if he’d stay well) & not disgraced in strong Group 3 at Royal Ascot, when he was too keen to help himself; Beaten again at Listed leave last time but under penalty and could reverse form with Western Aristocrat.

Western Aristocrat: Made a most promising start when winning 7f Newmarket maiden last autumn & looked a colt with big future when overcoming trouble in running to win Haydock handicap on return; Probably a bit immature at Ascot when another furlong would have helped; Strange then, that he seemed to hit a big flat spot when third at Goodwood; Step up In trip should help but this a harder task and worse at weight with Tazahum.

VERDICT: A fiercely contested little race where the best value could lie with BIONDETTI on his second run back this season, for which he can improve significantly and it’s hoped he can get back to his juvenile form which saw him run so well at the Breeders’ Cup. Green Destiny is greatly feared along with Nationalism and Dux Scholar.