Racing preview for Friday, May 13 featuring the Yorkshire Cup at the Knavesmire

Flying Officer is likely to be a short price for the Betway Yorkshire Cup but he can justify his cramped odds with victory in the feature event on the final day of action at York.
Flying Officer (right), winning The totepool EBF Stallions Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham, is fancied for the Yorkshire Cup.  Photo: Simon Cooper/PA WireFlying Officer (right), winning The totepool EBF Stallions Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham, is fancied for the Yorkshire Cup.  Photo: Simon Cooper/PA Wire
Flying Officer (right), winning The totepool EBF Stallions Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham, is fancied for the Yorkshire Cup. Photo: Simon Cooper/PA Wire

John Gosden’s six-year-old suffered defeat on his seasonal return in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last month, finishing third behind Mizzou with the reopposing Clever Cookie one place ahead in second.

However, that rival had had the benefit of a previous run and was in receipt of 5lb, so Flying Officer deserves all the more credit as he finished only half a length adrift.

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It is even easier to make a case for the reversal of that form when you consider the last time the pair met off level weights on Champion Days at Ascot last October, Flying Officer emerged a length to the good with the minimum of fuss.

His Group Two win that day was his third win on the bounce and marked him as a stayer of real potential, a view reflected his current rating of 115.

Flying Officer has 3lb to find on the official figures with Second Step but has the benefit of a run under his belt and will certainly enjoy this two-mile trip.

Twizzell made quite an impression when winning at Beverley last week and it is interesting to see her make a swift step up to Listed class for Ann Duffield in the Langleys Solicitors EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes.

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She easily accounted for her Westwood rivals by four and a half lengths, making virtually all before staying on strongly on the stiff five-furlong track.

Duffield has made no secret of the fact she holds the Equiano filly in high regard and she can surprise rivals from a few higher profile stables here.

* Selections

York: 2.20 Paddy Power, 2.55 TWIZZELL (NAP), 3.30 Thetis, 4.05 Flying Officer, 4.40 Top Tug, 5.10 Dusky Dawn, 5.40 Shoofly.

Newbury: 1.30 Wahash, 2.00 Cunco, 2.35 Loving Your Work, 3.10 Francisco, 3.45 Emerald Loch, 4.15 Pointel, 4.50 Against The Odds, 5.20 Royal Reef.

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Aintree: 5.25 Quiet Candid, 5.55 Un Noble, 6.30 Bonne Question, 7.05 Curious Carlos, 7.35 Shuil Royale, 8.10 The Tourard Man, 8.40 Hit The Diff.

Hamilton: 5.45 Lomu, 6.15 Warp Factor, 6.50 Jacbequick, 7.25 Sir Chauvelin, 7.55 My Amigo, 8.30 Chaplin Bay, 9.00 Final Venture.

Newmarket: 2.10 Arabian Hope, 2.45 Jassur, 3.20 My Target, 3.55 Shakopee, 4.25 Taffeta Lady, 5.00 George Cinq, 5.30 Racing Angel.

Double: Twizzell and Flying Officer.