Guide to the Yorkshire Cup entries

Flying Officer is one of the top stayers in training. Sourced from Racingfotos.com

The third race in the QIPCO British Champions Series – the £160,000 Betway Yorkshire Cup – takes place at York on Friday.

Eight horses remain possible runners and all bar one of them, Second Step, is also entered in the Gold Cup in Honour of The Queen’s 90th Birthday over 2m4f at Royal Ascot next month. Here’s a guide.

BONDI BEACH

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

General odds: 5-4

Leading contender on form for a trainer who saddled a 1-2-3 in the latest British Champions Series contest – the QIPCO 1000 Guineas. Got the better of stablemate Order Of St George (improved since) before suffering narrow defeats in the Great Voltigeur Stakes and St Leger, suffering trouble in running on both occasions. Snug winner over 1m4f on his return at Limerick.

FLYING OFFICER

Trainer: John Gosden

Odds: 7-2

Lightly raced six-year-old but has rarely disappointed when making it to the track. Made it six wins from nine starts when landing the Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October – the final race in the stayers’ category of the QIPCO British Champions Series last season – and began this term with an excellent half-length third to Mizzou and Clever Cookie in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, when trying to concede the pair 5lb.

SECOND STEP

Trainer: Luca Cumani

Odds: 4-1

Globetrotting middle-distance/stayer for his stable who won a Group 1 prize in Germany last summer. Fourth to Order Of St George in the Irish St Leger afterwards (lost couple of places near finish) before a below-par effort in Canada. Likely to resume progress, with trip probably being his optimum.

CLEVER COOKIE

Trainer: Peter Niven

Odds: 7-1

Three-time winner at York in past whose blend of speed/stamina make him versatile regards trip. Unlucky loser in Long Distance Cup at Ascot last October and back to that sort of level when touched off by Mizzou in the Sagaro Stakes latest. Evidently fit and in form, but suited by some give underfoot and could do with some rain.

CURBYOURENTHUSIASM

Trainer: David Simcock

Odds: 16-1

Began last term with an official rating of just 73 but chalked up three wins and officially improved 2st during the campaign. Who is to say he has hit his ceiling? Signed off with a smooth success in the Mallard Stakes at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting and could easily still be more to come.

SUEGIOO

Trainer: Richard Fahey

Odds: 16-1

Only won two of his 29 starts but the 2014 Chester Cup winner is a model of consistency and again gave another good account when close fourth to Mizzou in the Sagaro Stakes last time. Often engages top gear a bit too late but versatile regards going and likely to again give it a good shot.

ASTRONEREUS

Trainer: Amanda Perrett

Odds: 20-1

Had been hard to fault before flopping in the Ebor at York on his final start last season. Unraced since and bit to find on official ratings, but did give weight and a beating to the smart Quest For More early on last year and also landed a Listed prize over course and distance. Trip ideal and versatile regards ground.

GLARING

Trainer: Amanda Perrett

Odds: 20-1

Smart stayer in France, when trained by Andre Fabre, and ran better than the bare form suggests when seventh in the Sagaro Stakes on his British debut – fading inside final furlong and possibly needing first run since August. Likely to be sharper this time and drops  in trip.