Robin Hood's Bay In Great Form Ahead of John Smith's Cup at York

Trainer Ed Vaughan has provided a positive bulletin about Robin Hood's Bay ahead of the £150,000 John Smith's Cup, the 54th running of which will take place on Saturday at York.

A total of 42 horses stood their ground at yesterday's entry stage, including the 101-rated Robin Hoods Bay.

Vaughan has given the five-year-old a three-month break following a fruitful winter on the all-weather, which saw him finish second to Farraaj in the Winter Derby and win a competitive handicap at Kempton.

Robin Hoods Bay has been pleasing his trainer in his recent work at home and he is looking forward to this weekend’s assignment.

Newmarket-based Vaughan said: “Robin Hoods Bay is in great form. He had a good six week break and came back looking fantastic. I am pleased with his work and feel he is in the same sort of form as in the winter.

“He is rated 101 and this is a good opportunity to see if he can be affective off this mark. The prize-money right down to sixth is worth running for – it’s better than most Group Twos.

“Although much of his recent form has been on the all-weather, I think he is equally as good on turf. His third to Danadana (subsequent Group 3 winner) at Newmarket reads very well and his form in general is very strong.

“In terms of ground, he just doesn’t like extremes. Good ground or just the fast side of good is ideal for him. It is a good place to start and I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Other entries to stand their ground include the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Rye House, a winner back in May at the Dante Festival, and Nabucco an impressive scorer at Newmarket last time out.

The Mark Johnston-trained Star Lahib may bid to add another valuable prize to her CV having won the Old Newton Cup at Haydock on Saturday. Middleham-based Johnston is also represented by Fennell Bay who finished third in the same race.

The seven-race card gets underway at 1.45 with the John Smith’s Racing Stakes, a handicap over a mile.

York’s two-day meeting commences at 1.50pm on Friday, July 12. Friday’s feature race is the Summer Stakes, a Group 3 over six furlongs for fillies’ and mares.

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