Twelve months ago, Bjorn Nielsen's homebred Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) was about to embark on his road to £1-million and it is no surprise that connections have opted for the same platform in Friday's G2 Matchbook Yorkshire Cup. Unbeaten in five last term as he did a passable impression of some of the great British stayers of yesteryear, the chestnut they nickname “Mighty Mouse” at Clarehaven will have to be in the same form as he was in 2018 to deal with some smart rivals under a penalty in York's opener of the country's famous “Cup” races.
“He's been very happy and jolly in himself throughout and he's looking forward to coming back here,” Gosden reassured his many fans. “He's a fun horse to train–he's very expressive–and he's trained very nicely. We've had no setbacks with him.”
Godolphin and Aidan O'Brien are in opposition, with the former operation responsible for the Charlie Appleby-trained Ispolini (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Ballydoyle bringing over the G1 St Leger third Southern France (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The former looks a highly promising stayer and has match practice on his side, having won the Feb. 28 G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at this trip and finished second to his G1 Melbourne Cup-winning stablemate Cross Counter (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the two-mile G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on Mar. 30.
“I think dropping back in trip from two miles to a mile and three-quarters is going to suit, as he is a horse that travels well and picks up well,” Appleby commented. “In the Dubai Gold Cup, he was just outstayed by a better horse in Cross Counter. We know Stradivarius is a supreme stayer and we've all got him to beat, but if Ispolini brings that Dubai form to the table, he is going to be very competitive.”
Elsewhere on the card, the exciting May 10 Nottingham maiden winner Twist 'n' Shake (GB) (Kingman {GB}) represents the same Meon Valley Stud family of Thursday's G2 Dante S. hero Telecaster (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in the Listed Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' S., better known as the Michael Seeley Memorial Fillies' S. which has served as a trial for Royal Ascot's G1 Coronation S. With a high-quality line-up again this year, the mile contest, which could eventually be in for an upgrade to pattern status, also features Merriebelle Stables' Listed Rose Bowl S. winner Natalie's Joy (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), Khalid Abdullah's Apr. 17 Newmarket maiden winner Clerisy (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is a half-sister to Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}), and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa's El Gumyrah (Ire) (No Nay Never). The latter had Wednesday's G3 Musidora S. scorer Nausha (GB) (Kingman {GB}) back in fourth when taking Kempton's once-listed class conditions event on Apr. 20 formerly known as the Masaka S. at 20-1.
Newbury's two-day Lockinge meeting gets underway, where Juddmonte have some interesting novices including the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Apr. 25 Chelmsford scorer Jubiloso (GB) (Shamardal), a daughter of the classy Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Leopardstown stage the first seven-furlong maiden for 2-year-olds in 2019 and unsurprisingly Ballydoyle are well-represented with a trio in the race they won with War Front's War Decree and War Command and also Alfred Nobel (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in the last 10 years. War Leader is by War Front and he could be the chief hope as a full-brother to last year's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Lancaster Bomber, warming up Donnacha O'Brien for his ride on Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Listed Saval Beg Levmoss S.
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