He is taking shape as a typical Sir Michael Stoute improver and Cheveley Park Stud's Autocratic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) looks to enhance his record in Saturday's G2 Sky Bet York S. Having beaten the re-opposing Algometer (GB) (Archipenko) in the May 25 G3 Brigadier Gerard S. over this trip at Sandown, the 4-year-old homebred is reported back in top shape after a brief illness.
“He had a bit of a dirty scope post-race and in the intermediary period, so he just needed some treatment,” the stud's managing director Chris Richardson explained. “He's fine now and back on track and we're looking forward to him taking his chance. Hopefully the ground will be okay for him.”
Al Shaqab Racing's largely unexposed Hathal (Speightstown) steps up in trip after a career-best third behind stable companion Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the G2 Summer Mile at Ascot on July 15, while Success Days (Ire) (Jeremy) makes a rare excursion from Ireland. Fourth in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh on May 28 and second to Johannes Vermeer (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in that venue's G3 International S. over this favoured trip on July 2, he is sure to give a bold account. “The track at York should suit him well and he ran a good race at The Curragh last time,” trainer Ken Condon said. “Johannes Vermeer was a Group 1 winner as a 2-year-old and looked on the way back after a good run at Ascot. He was in receipt of three pounds, although there is no question he won cosily at the line. The ground was a bit quicker than ideal for Success Days, so all things considered I was very pleased.”
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