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15:10 York
John Gosden and Sir Michael Stoute both have excellent records in this race but neither have an entry this year so I am hopeful that the 2021 renewal can go to Mark Johnston and Sir Ron Priestley. The five-year-old capped an excellent 2019 with a 2nd to Logician in the St Leger (finishing ahead of the re-opposing Nayef Road) and returned this season better than ever, beating a decent field at Nottingham before another convincing win when beating Great Voltigeur winner Pyledriver in a Group 2 at Newmarket a couple of weeks back. He wouldn't want to see much more rain however he should be able to cope with forecast conditions especially as it is expected to be mainly dry between now and race-time.
The aforementioned Nayef Road would ideally prefer a faster surface and is 0-3 here at York, while Spanish Mission has won over similar trips and much further however seems to produce his best in late summer (all career wins have come July-September). Wells Farhh Go won't mind the ground and has won twice on the Knavesmire, although his form tailed off dramatically when last seen in 2019 so has a bit to prove on return, which leaves Santiago as the most likely to challenge. Aidan O'Brien's runner is proven at the highest level having won the 2020 Irish Derby and actually gets 3lbs from our selection here, although finished behind Pyledriver in last seasons' St Leger and was a shade disappointing when a well-beaten fourth in a Group 3 at Navan on return in April so may have to settle for minor honours.
SiIR RON PRIESTLEY (WIN)
written by Dean Kilbryde