Yorkshire Jockeys Horse Racing

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CONNECTIONS of Time Test believe this Saturday’s £100,000 Sky Bet York Stakes represents a good chance for the four-year-old colt to record a second Group 2 triumph.

The homebred from owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms is one of a small but select field for the feature race which shares a distance with the Juddmonte International itself, the extended mile-and-a-quarter trip at York.

Time Test is enjoying another fine season, winning the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May before finishing third in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown three weeks ago.

The latest assignment for trainer Roger Charlton’s charge will see him take on four rivals – all of whom are rated between 110 and 116. Time Test is rated 121 and so looks set to go off a short-priced or even odds-on favourite.

But Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager at Juddmonte Farms, said: “It’s like everything, you must show respect to the opposition. This is obviously a valuable Group 2 and we need to be putting our best foot forward.”

Time Test, who won his previous Group 2 – the Joel Stakes – at a mile – has shown his versatility as regards trip, not least with his very creditable run over 10 furlongs at Sandown last time. That effort came on ground softer than ideal and he was only beaten two and a quarter lengths by Hawkbill.

Lord Grimthorpe added: “It was a very good run, all things considered. He came out of the race really well…Roger seems very pleased with him.

“He needs to be able to prove himself at Group 1 level when he can but certainly this looks like a good opportunity for him. I’m sure he will be seen to best effect on good or fast ground.”

Stable-mate Countermeasure, who was an excellent fourth in the Eclipse, will also run for the same connections.

Lord Grimthorpe said: “Countermeasure is in there just to ensure a sensible pace. Of course, he also ran very well in the Eclipse.”

Among the opposition is Mahsoob, winner of the Group 3 Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket in April. Yorkshire-based trainer David O’Meara sends Mondialiste, a winner in Pattern company at York, courtesy of the Strensall Stakes,; he subsequently took a Grade 1 at Woodbine.

The field is completed by the Ralph Beckett-trained Air Pilot, successful in a Group 3 in France on his last start.

The £50,000 Sky Bet Dash is sure to be a stunning spectacle as sixteen speedsters cover six furlongs on the Knavesmire. Tanzeel won the race a year ago and is back again for more on Saturday. Opposition is provided by a clutch of in-from horses including the O’Meara-trained Intisab who has won two of his last three starts.

The first race on Saturday is at 1.55pm though York’s Music Showcase weekend commences tomorrow with the course’s only evening fixture of the season. Kaiser Chiefs are on stage after racing on Friday, while The Corrs will perform on Saturday.

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