Strensall Stakes 2012

3.05 York

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

Winner £42,532

Advice: 3 pts place Stipulate (13/8 Blue Sq, 888 Sport)

Questioning: Started this season strongly with pair of good efforts in competitive group races at start of season (got better of Twice Over in one of them); Not been quite at same form since and readily done for speed in weak for the grade Group 2 Summer Mile and others make much more appeal here under penalty.

Side Glance: Has best form claims of any here on Queen Anne Third (big effort but flattered) and third in York Stakes, form of which has since been boosted by Asfare coming an excellent second in Arlington Million; Now has penalty here but drop in trip should help from 10.5f should help him put up a bold show.

Dubai Prince: Hugely talented as 2yo for Dermot Weld before sold to Godolphin and injury intervened; Still shown same talent on two occasions, making it 2-2 over this specialist trip with convincing win in Conditions contest  here two starts back; Much better than his sixth in the Glrious Stakes at Goodwood suggests.

Fury: Been bought right back to his best this year and deserved first win in a year when winning York Listed handicap over a mile, a just reward for a series of efforts under massive weights in mile handicaps; Creditable fifth at Chantilly in Group 3 and then second to Dubai Prince, although that was a truly well beaten second and hard to expect form reversal here.

Tazahum: Second in this to extremely progressive Green Destiny last year but not quite refound same form since until winning conditions contest at Newmarket last time; Remains to be seen just how much of that was down to extremely smart ride from Paul Hanagan although with stable still being in red hot form, must be respected here.

Barefoot Lady: Hard to find a more consistent filly anywhere and game Listed fillies win here one of her typical performances; Has previously been involved in some classy fillies races and no surprise if she’s able to take a big hand here.

Stipulate: Improved hand over fist to win Listed event at Newmarket on reappearance and better form with every single run since, notably when second in Group 3 at Ascot (trip stretched him in ground that was riding quite soft) and then when fourth in competitive Group 3 after blocked passage last time; This trip suits him down to the ground (his Listed win came at this distance) and hard to beat today.

VERDICT: A quality renewal of a race which sees this trip being sure to suit more than one contender either dropping down or going up in distance. Anyone of four could be given a realistic chance on form but this looks to be an ideal opportunity for STIPULATE after finding 10 furlongs a bit too far and a mile a touch too short (with a poor run as well). The 7/2 in general appeal but with the strength of the race as it is a lumpy place bet might be the best option. Side Glance makes most appeal of the rest, with this drop in trip from an extended 10 furlongs sure to prove a big help, while Dubai Prince is capable of winning this if able to show his best, and Barefoot Lady can’t be discounted at all.