York Ebor Festival 2015: City Of York Stakes preview (15.05)

Fadhayyil has some strong form to her name and can take advantage of a drop into Listed company to land the 7f City Of York Stakes at York (15.05), on the third day of the Ebor Festival.

The Barry Hills trained filly posted some smart efforts last season, despite looking far from the finished article.

After opening her account at the second time of asking when staying on strongly to score by 1 1/2 lengths at Salisbury, Fadhayyil ran a stormer when stepped up into Group 2 company and runner-up to Lucida in the 7f Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.

The daughter of Tamayuz showed plenty of pace to race up with the pace and, after being produced to lead inside the final furlong, showed distinct signs of greenness when headed before rallying strongly to go down by just a length.

It was a performance full of promise against a far more streetwise opponent, and one which suggested Fadhayyil would make up into a top class three-year-old once strengthening up and maturing.

That view was confirmed on debut when Fadhayyil ran very well to finish fifth of 13 to Legatissimo in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, and she backed that up with a cracking 1/2 length second to Dutch Connection in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Those runs represent very strong form in the context of this lower grade Listed contest, and although Fadhayyil could finish only seventh last time out in a Group 3 affair at Goodwood she was unsuited by the undulations of the course.

The return to a more conventional galloping track is sure to suit, and this represents an excellent opportunity for Fadhayyil to get back to winning ways.

Richard Pankhurst looked a smart prospect when bolting up in the Chesham at Royal Ascot on just his second start last season and is a fascinating contender on his belated return to action.

The John Gosden trained colt remains open to any amount of progress, but the son of Raven’s Pass has been on the sidelines for 426 days and it is a big ask for him to win this at the first time of asking after such a lengthy absence.

One that could go well at a big price and looks a bit of each-way value is the class-dropping Toocoolforschool.

The gelding finished a fine head second to Dutch Connection in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes over course and distance 12 months ago before going on to land the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury by seven lengths.

Toolcoolforschool has has failed to trouble the judge in two runs this season, but those runs have been in Group 2 and Group 3 company and this is easier.

If bouncing back to anything like his best, the son of Showcasing looks capable of going well at a big price.

Coral’s top tip: Fadhayyil rates a decent bet to gets back to winning ways now dropped in class. Toocoolforschool looks the each-way value