Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup Betting Preview

Godolphin have a fantastic in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup - the Boys in Blue have won five of the last ten renewals of this Group 2 event - and The Geezer, who was trained by David Elsworth last season, is an intriguing contender on his first start for new connections. However, Saeed bin Suroor's charge will have to settle for second best on the Knavesmire today as Day Flight has race fitness to call upon and, with conditions to suit, is the one to be on at 11/4 with Stan James. The John Gosden-trained entire is lightly-raced for a five-year-old and, judged on his seasonal reappearance effort at Sandown last month, he appears to be doing as good wines do - maturing with age. Racing over an inadequate trip of a mile and a quarter, the son of Sadler's Wells took a few strides to hit top gear when Richard Hughes asked him for his effort two furlongs out, but when he found his stride he produced a telling turn of foot to win with more in hand than the one-length winning margin over Notable Guest may suggest. Day Flight will relish stepping up to this trip and although he has yet to tackle this trip of just short of fourteen furlongs, he will have no problems on that score judged on his victory in the one-mile-five-furlong Ormonde Stakes at Chester last year. Evidence suggests that the selection is still improving and, with the good to soft going absolutely ideal, he should prove hard to beat. The Geezer will also relish the conditions and he proved last season that he's not far off the best middle-distance performers when chasing home Scorpion in the St Leger at Doncaster. However, the Halling colt is likely to find Day Flight too speedy in the closing stages and the form of Godolphin remains a concern, as their horses just don't seem to be firing at present. A big danger to all will be Irish raider Kastoria who, although only workmanlike when landing the odds on her seasonal return at Navan last month, she will strip fitter for the run and, judged on her form from last season, she has the scope to make an impact at the highest level in staying races this season. Last season's Horse of the Year, Sergeant Cecil, shaped with immense promise at Newbury last month when putting in good late work to finish just over three lengths fourth behind Mubtaker in a competitive Group 3 contest. The twelve furlong trip was too sharp for him and, stepping back up in trip today, he is capable of going very close. But, despite his talent, he is more exposed than the likes of Day Flight and Kastoria, both of whom possess an added touch of class, which I think will make all the difference today. Collier Hill, surprise hero of last year's Irish St Leger, cannot be ruled out altogether, although at the age of eight it's reasonable to think that he holds no secrets and, as in the case of Sergeant Cecil, he may have to settle for a minor honour behind Day Flight and Kastoria. Recommended bet: 2pts win Day Flight @ 5/2 (Stan James)