Group Two York Stakes Guide 2021

William Haggas won this race in 2013 and is represented at the head of affairs by the highly progressive Mohaafeth.

The son of Frankel broke his maiden tag in a lesser affair on the all-weather before stepping up to the 10f trip and landing a further hat-trick of wins from Class 3 to Group 3 last time out in the Hampton Court Stakes at Ascot.

This will be the 3yo colts first time against the older horses and for that he receives a weight allowance which should further pay dividends to his chances in the affair.

Jim Crowley retains the ride on board and Mohaafeth has leading claims here to land a 5 timer.

The Aidan O'Brien trained, Armory, is looking to give his trainer a first win in the race and comes here on the back of a highly respectable effort in Group 1 company.

The son of Galileo was an emphatic winner in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes by a 3 length margin on his seasonal re-appearance at Chester before subsequently finishing 3rd last time out behind the world beating, Love, at Ascot, in the Prince of Wales' Stakes on good to firm.

Despite the 4yo's best form coming upon softer conditions, last times effort proved his capabilities at handling faster ground and he now drops back down in grade to run here.

He is top weight for the affair, however should be considered to be in with a big shout in this.

Trainer, Kevin Ryan, is looking for his first York Stakes win and is represented in the race by entrant, Juan Elcano.

The son of Frankel enjoyed a respectable 3yo season last year with a 5th placed finish in the 2000 Guineas (G1, 8f) before stepping up to 10f to finish 4th in the Hampton Court Stakes (G3) and subsequently 3rd in the Dante (G2) here at York.

He was to less effect up at 12f in the Voltiguer stakes (G2) and a 6th placed finish on this years seasonal reappearance in the Listed Doncaster Mile made him appear tripless thereby meaning Juan Elcano was given a wind-op to spark improvements.

The operation appeared to do the trick and Juan Elcano won on his return in listed company last time out in the Wolferton (10f) and he now steps back into group company to be competitive here, entitled to improve once more for his second run since the operation.

Montatham, William Haggas' second entrant, is stepping up to 10f for the first time in the race on the back of a 6th placed finish last time out in the Coral Challenge Handicap, a race he won last season.

The son of Showcasing was a smart winner of handicaps last season, including here at York in the 17 runner Clipper Logistics handicap (cl2, 8f) and he'll appreciate the fast conditions on offer in the race.

This will be the 5yo geldings first entrance into group company and despite the possibility of improvement for the step up in trip, his current levels of form in listed company and below, fall short of what you would stereotypically expect for a potential winner of this race.

Andrew Balding is in great form currently with a 20%+ strike rate across the last 14 days and he'll be hoping to carry that run of form into the York Stakes with his entrant, Bangkok.

The son of Australia has been highly tried this season, landing handicap and listed spoils on the all-weather at Lingfield (10f).

Having said this, he's been unable to replicate that form since switching back to the turf and his recent levels of performance appear to fall short of those near the top of the market.