3.25 BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (Group 1) 5f

American Affair: Last year’s King Charles II Stakes victor returned to winning ways in the King George Qatar Stakes, beating Rumstar and Time For Sandals who were drawn on the opposite side of the track. Failed to follow up in the Nunthorpe.

Big Gossey: The most popular horse in the field, this 10-time course winner never runs a bad race, but hasn’t won over the minimum trip since 2022.

Comanche Brave: A revelation since returning to sprinting this season, winning the Greenlands Stakes and July Cup Stakes, but the Wootton Bassett has never run over this trip.

Cover Up: Finished well off a strong pace to win the Sapphire Stakes over course and distance two starts ago. Got no run in the Nunthorpe, as his passage closed a furlong out. Also unlucky on his only other start at a Group 1, so he can’t be ruled out.

Jakajaro: Third to Cover Up here in the Sapphire Stakes after setting the pace. Regular frontrunner also set the blistering pace that set up for Mission Central’s Group 1 win at Ascot. Chance if he leaves anything in the tank close home.

Jm Jungle: Group 2 winner over minimum trip at Goodwood last year and returned to winning ways in a listed race on heavy ground two weeks ago. Unlikely threat at this level.

Night Raider: Talented but often inconsistent sort seemed to have turned a corner with gelding, with group races on his first two starts of the season. Racing close to a fast pace didn’t work out well for him on three starts since, so it’s difficult to be ultra confident today.

Partisan Hero: Progressive handicapper has run well in defeat since stepping up to group level this term, including when runner-up to Cover Up, but subsequently beaten over three lengths by American Affair and well-beaten in the Nunthorpe last time.

Rumstar: Multiple Group 3 winner gained Group 1 blacktype when third in the Nunthorpe last month, separating Starlust and Time For Sandals, which puts him in the mix again today.

Starlust: His second in the Nunthorpe signalled a return to form after a short-lived stallion career and this Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner is likely to enjoy his preferred fast pace again today.

Brussels: Twice Group/Grade 1-placed as a juvenile, he has failed to land a powerful blow this season, with a fifth place in the Sapphire Stakes much the best of five starts this term.

Charles Darwin: Completed a hat-trick in fine style in the Norfolk Stakes last season and returned to land a listed win but has been disappointing since. A give in the ground might be the best hope of seeing him back to his best.

Mission Central: Group 3 winner as a juvenile, returned with back-to-back listed wins but appeared flattered when finishing well off a red-hot pace that faltered in the King Charles III Stakes. Unlikely to be as lucky a second time.

Gazelle d’Or: 94-rated filly finished second to Mission Central at listed level in May. Not a serious consideration today.

Time For Sandals: Last year’s Commonwealth Cup heroine has taken a few runs to make an impression this season but is a leading contender off the back of her last two starts, having finished a close third on the wrong side of the track at Goodwood and fourth in the Nunthorpe, after a luckless passage.

Argentine Tango: Dual listed winner isn’t expected to feature highly at this level.

Ipanema Queen: Similar profile to Argentine Tango, needs to improve significantly to threaten.

Spicy Marg: Outran odds of 50/1 when beaten a head by Venetian Sun in the Commonwealth Cup but finished in mid-division the next twice.

Conclusion

Comanche Brave’s July Cup win marks him as the best sprinter over six furlongs, at least in my opinion, but the minimum trip is a potential negative for the Wootton Bassett colt.

It’s the ideal trip for Nunthorpe 2-3-4 Starlust, Rumstar and Time For Sandals, with strong preference for the latter given how she came from virtually last without ever coming under a strong drive due to her troubled passage.

Cover Up was another who got no luck at York and is currently overpriced with a strong each-way chance.