Great Voltigeur and rest of York

The rest of the York card is also of the greatest interest, with the Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group Two) for 3yo´s over 1 1/2 miles at 15.50 CET the best supporting race. This traditional St .Leger trial is a major race on its own account, and Derby form is well represented by Rewilding (Mahmoud al Zarooni/ Frankie Dettori), not seen out since third at Epson, as well as Midas Touch (Aidan O´ Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) and Monterosso (Mark Johnston/ Kieren Fallon), runner-up and fourth respectively at the Curragh. Monterosso has since run below that form when 7th to Buzzword in the German Derby, but he was unsuited by the track that day and will find York more to his liking. He should not be underestimated, but we expect that this race will also go to O´Brien, as Midas Touch would in our view have won at the Curragh had he been ridden differently (he was the stable´s second string that day). O´Brien also saddles Joshua Tree (Jamie Spencer) who would have a chance on his 2009 form but has not run since September. Harris Tweed (William Haggas/ Liam Jones) was strongly fancied for the Ebor but did not get into the field and runs here instead; he is in great form but this opposition is far tougher than anything he has faced so far. We expect the Irish Derby form to come out on top here, although Rewilding is an obvious danger.

The Group Three Acomb Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 15.15 is another top race, with 6 of the 8 runners last-time-out winners. Dream Ahead (David Slimcock/ William Buick) was a most impressive winner on his debut and may take this at the main expense of Lake Ontario (O´Brien/ Murtagh). The handicaps here are as always brutal. It may be significant that two of last year´s winners attempt to repeat their 2009 victories: Barney McGrew (Michael Dods/ Phillip Makin) over 5 furlongs at 14.45 and Royal Destination Jeremy Noseda/ Olivier Peslier) over 10 furlongs at 17.40.

With the Godolphin stable now in top form, we expect Saeed bin Suroor to win two more 2yo maidens today, at Brighton at 15.35 with Makeynn and at Kempton this evening at 20.20 with Bawaab, both with Ted Durcan aboard.