Septimus can rule Cup roost

The first day of York's Ebor meeting could turn out to be a crackerjack for Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien. The master of Ballydoyle has a great chance in the International Stakes with Dylan Thomas; he has the first two in the betting for the Great Voltigeur, Yellowstone and Mahler; and an extremely strong candidate for the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup in the shape of Septimus. It's not very often that a bookmaker can be described as generous, but in offering Septimus at 7/4 for this Group 2 contest - Ladbrokes and Paddy Power go just 11/8 - the odds compilers at Stan James have stuck their neck out. Punters should demonstrate no mercy and lap this price up. Although untried beyond 12 furlongs, the son of Sadler's Wells has long since hinted that he's a cup horse in the making. He did most of the donkey work in the Coronation Cup on Oaks day last time out at Epsom where he stuck to his task in tenacious fashion after being headed by stablemate Scorpion in the home straight, eventually going down by just over a length to that rival. He had some classy performers in his wake on that occasion and while it's probably fair to say that neither Sir Percy or Sixties Icon ran to anything neat their best form, Septimus had half-a-length to spare over the third home, Maraahel, who went on to land the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot next time out and the finished a cracking third in the King George behind Dylan Thomas. It's probably unfair to compare Septimus to the brilliant Yeats, winner of the last two Gold Cup's, at this stage. However, the selection certainly boasts a profile similar to that of his illustrious stable companion and, having been saved specifically for this race following his exploits in the Coronation Cup, he should win this race in an authoritative manner. Old favourite Sergeant Cecil looked set for a good season when landing the Yorkshire Cup on his reappearance at the Dante meeting here in May but has subsequently performed poorly in both the Gold Cup and the King George. His effort in the latter race is probably best ignored, as a mile and a half is too sharp for Rod Millman's charge but, disconcertingly, he was tailed off in the Gold Cup in which he looked a cast-iron bet to hit the frame. Consequently, the Sergeant is vulnerable. This notion is pronounced by that fact that he has to concede 5lb to Septimus, which makes for a stiff task. As such, a bigger danger could come from Distinction, who was having his first run for over a year when seventh to Allegretto in the Goodwood Cup and, with that outing bound to have blown away the cobwebs, a bold show is on the cards. Anna Pavlova is interesting on her first try at this trip, although she has a fair bit to find. Balkan Knight rarely runs a bad race and it'd be no surprise to see him finish in the money, while Percussionist's reappearance fourth in the Yorkshire Cup was promising and his cause would be aided greatly by any additional rainfall. That remark also applies to Northumberland Plate heroine Juniper Girl, who is taking a big step up in class and may struggle. Verdict: 2pts Septimus @ 7/4 (Stan James)