Time Test to turn on style in York feature
David Metcalf | July 22, 2016
Time Test looks a cut-above
Time Test looks a cut-above his rivals and a worthy red-hot favourite to land the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes on an excellent Saturday card at York (15.35).
The Roger Charlton trained four-year-old is a high class colt who has won five of his 10 starts and has a potent turn of foot when getting the fast ground that he relishes.
He looked better than ever on seasonal reappearance when quickening smartly to beat Western Hymn by a neck in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes over 1m 2f at Sandown, when conceding 5lb to the runner-up and looking in need of the run beforehand.
Then he lost little in defeat last time out when third to Hawkbill in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Excellent effort on unsuitable ground
Time Test travelled strongly in the latter but was unable to pick up in the soft ground when the tempo quickened two from home.
However, the son of Dubawi didn’t drop out as expected and re-rallied to be gaining again at the finish and beaten just over two lengths.
It was a cracking effort on unsuitable going and, with underfoot conditions now in his favour, Time Test can take advantage of a drop in class to get back to winning ways en route to a crack at the Group 1 Juddmonte Stakes at York next month, for which he is currently 7/2 favourite with Coral.
Mahsoob the forecast choice
Mahsoob is the closest to Time Test on official ratings and looks the most likely one to chase him home.
The John Gosden trained entire is very lightly raced for a five-year-old and has won five of his seven starts.
They include a cosy 1/2 a length success in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot last year where he showed a smart turn of foot to get the job done.
Solid success in Earl Of Sefton
Mahsoob looked a pattern performer in the making and he made the breakthrough at that level when landing the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket on seasonal reappearance.
The son of Dansili ran on strongly to beat Air Pilot by 1 1/4 lengths and has nothing to fear from that re-opposing rival.
Although subsequently well-beaten in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, Mahsoob found the 1m trip too sharp and will appreciate the extra two furlongs in this and remains open to further improvement.
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Coral’s top tip: Time Test is a real class act and with underfoot conditions in his favour is impossible to oppose. Mahsoob can chase him home for the forecast spot.
