15:00 York

Wednesday 23 August 2017

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:50

Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 34.65s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Atty Persse^p⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 102| BF| D

25/1

Landed a Royal Ascot handicap like a Group horse in the making but form of that race has taken a few knocks since and he was disappointing in a Group 3 last time out. Needs to bounce back and unproven on softer ground so may not want rain.

Form: 1-1219

(3)

Cracksman⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 117

4/6

Excellent third in the Derby, faring best of those close to the pace and only just touched off in the Irish Derby after conceding first run to the winner. Should have won that day and sets the standard on form but may not want the ground too soft.

Form: 1-132

(6)

Douglas Macarthur^h1⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114

14/1

Narrowly landed the Derby trial at Leopardstown but made to do the donkey work when pacemaker in the Derby. Disappointing subsequently in the Irish Derby and looks down the order on jockey bookings. Wears a first-time hood.

Form: 54-2175

(2)

Mirage Dancer⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 111

5/1

Respectable effort on seasonal return in a Listed race at Chester before placing in a Royal Ascot Group 3. Type to carry on progressing throughout the season but needs to learn to settle better to play a part at this level. Yard in excellent form.

Form: 1-43

(7)

Spanish Steps¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

16/1

Well backed when making all to beat stablemate Johannes Vermeer in a Leopardstown Group 3 last time out for this jockey, battling on gamely to win. Needs more in this company but respected for last year's winning trainer/jockey combination.

Form: 8-32191

(5)

Venice Beach^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| D

9/2

Impressive when winning Chester Vase but couldn't follow it up in the Derby, possibly not handling the track. Back to form with a good third in a French Group 1 in soft conditions and form of that contest looks respectable; should go well.

Form: 2-31103

Non-Runners

(8)

Count Octave⁶¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Oisin Murphy

(1)

Khalidi¹⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: A Kirby

Forecasts

Cracksman (4/6), Venice Beach (9/2), Mirage Dancer (5/1), Douglas Macarthur (14/1), Khalidi (14/1), Spanish Steps (16/1), Count Octave (16/1), Atty Persse (25/1)

Venice Beach seemingly has the best chance of the Aidan O'Brien trio and any rain would probably help his cause while stablemate Spanish Steps was in receipt of a good ride at Leopardstown when landing a Group 3 last time and he gets the services of Seamie Heffernan again here. However, CRACKSMAN would appear to be the one they all have to beat after fine efforts in Derbies either side of the Irish Sea and he should be seen to better effect here.