The European Pattern Committee (EPC) announced in February that it had approved the upgrade of four Group 2 races to Group 1 status, including the City Of York Stakes.
You can read Steve Mullington’s Day 4 tips for the 2025 York Ebor Festival here
Run at York’s Ebor Festival in August, it became the second all-aged seven-furlong Group 1 race in Europe, alongside the Prix de la Forèt at ParisLongchamp in October.
The 2025 contenders:
Annaf (Michael Appleby)
Eight-time winner, but this is a totally different kettle of fish altogether and it would come as a major shock if the six-year-old is up to this level.
Audience (John & Thady Gosden)
Third in the Lennox Stakes and has won a quarter of his career starts to date. At odds of around 20/1, it’s always difficult to leave out a Cheveley Park runner, especially one that looks ready to step up at any time.
Lake Forrest (William Haggas)
Second in the Lennox Stakes last time out but was poor here in the Criterion Stakes back in June. May well do better today under a strong ride from Tom Marquand.
Never So Brave (Andrew Balding)
Formerly with the now retired Michael Stoute, the four-year-old comes here in the form of his life, after victories in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot and the Summer Mile Stakes at the same venue. He looks a nice bet for win purposes.
Qirat (Ralph Beckett)
Caused a major shock when left out on the lead in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Highly unlikely to be left to his own devices here.
Quinault (Stuart Williams)
Winner of the Criterion Stakes here in June and is a likeable trier. Well worth an each-way flutter in a horse racing betting event of this nature.
Rosallion (Richard Hannon)
Top quality horse who did his best to peg back Qirat in the Sussex Stakes but to no avail. No such issues will take place today and he is one of the chief protagonists.
Ten Bob Tony (Ed Walker)
Took the John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock Park back in May but hasn’t been seen out since. Could be a dangerous floater.
Maranoa Charlie (Christopher Head)
Second in the Prix Jean Prat and should not be underestimated. His French form is very good indeed and many punters will be unaware of his overseas credentials here.
Seagulls Eleven (Hugo Palmer)
Successful last time in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes, however there were only four runners that day and this will take a marked step up in grade.
Exactly (Aidan O’Brien)
Not the most obvious of contenders, even though she is trained by the Irish genius Aidan O’Brien. Needs to recapture some of her old Leopardstown form to be competitive.
City of York Stakes selection: Never So Brave to win (11/4)
Check out Steve Mullington’s runner-by-runner Ebor Handicap preview here
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
