Alibi leads York field
Connections of Irish Derby third Best Alibi expect him to regain the winning thread in tomorrow’s Group Two Skybet York Stakes.
The son of King’s Best drops in both class and distance after finishing five lengths behind Dylan Thomas at the Curragh last time.
Best Alibi was also sixth behind Sir Percy at Epsom and Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owners Gainsborough Stud, believes he can get a win on the board back over 10 furlongs.
Raymond said: “He’s better at this trip than a mile and a half and he likes the ground on the fast side.
“There are only five runners but even if the race becomes a tactical affair it won’t inconvenience him as he can go from the front or behind. He should win tomorrow.”
Clive Brittain saddles Hattan, who has also been regularly competing in top level races, having recently run eighth behind David Junior in the Eclipse at Sandown.
Brittain said: “He’s got a good chance on his best form.
“It wasn’t his best performance in the Eclipse but I thought he ran a very good race behind Notnowcato in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown earlier this season. On that form he can’t be too far away.”
Hattan’s only career success has come over a mile and a half but Brittain believes tomorrow’s trip will suit his charge.
“He has a lot of speed and he’s run some very good races over 10 furlongs. Best Alibi is there to be beaten and we have a good chance of doing it.”
The one filly in the race is Zayn Zen, who finished fourth behind Soviet Song in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trainer Michael Jarvis believes the step up in trip from a mile will boost her chances.
Jarvis said: “She’s been very consistent – we’ve been running in those fillies races to try to get a bit of black type but they have both been over a mile.
“I think she can definitely find some improvement on those runs over the extra two furlongs.”
The field for tomorrow’s race is completed by Luca Cumani’s Crocodile Dundee and Mick Channon’s Yasoodd.
