Alsakib can take victory back at York

ALSAKIB can improve on his recent York spin by landing the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes back on the Knavesmire today.

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The five-year-old was up against it on his seasonal return last month, taking on multiple Group One winner Rebel’s Romance in the Group Two Yorkshire Cup over the same mile and six furlongs he faces here.

Sent off at 14-1 in what was a bit of a muddling race with only a steady early pace, Alsakib ran better than his odds suggested in finishing fourth of the five contenders, beaten a length and a half by Rebel’s Romance, who is rated 13lb his superior.

Alsakib was a Group Three winner over course and distance last year, when he beat the reop-posing Al Qareem, and while he is closely matched with Absurde, preference is just for Andrew Balding’s charge, who could yet improve.