This looks to be between Flying Officer at 6/4 and Second Set at 5/2, who are closely matched on form and a few pounds ahead of the others. With guaranteed race fitness on his side and after running at least as well as he has ever done on his reappearance at Ascot last month, preference is for Flying Officer. Incidentally, he is the only runner who has front-run in any of his recent starts. Luca Cumani is 0-7 for May so far which in turn gives the favourite a small edge!

4.05 York: Betway Yorkshire Cup Group 2 (1m6f)

12/12: Didn't win last time out
12/12: Came from stall 7 or lower
11/12: Favourites that finished in the top 4
11/12: Had won over at least 1m4f before
11/12: Returned 9/1 or shorter in the betting
10/12: Aged 5yo or older
  9/12: Placed in the top 4 last time out
  9/12: Aged between 5-7yo
  8/12: Had won at least 4 times before
  7/12: Horses from stall 7 placed in the top 3
  7/12: Had run at York before
  6/12: Came from stall 4 or 7
  6/12: Ran within the last 4 weeks
  4/12: Winning favourites
  3/12: Ran at Newbury last time out

The average winning SP in the last 9 years is 6/1

Looking at the third favourite the 8yo Clever Cookie peak efforts including a course and distance winner was last May. An unlucky second to Flying Officer at Ascot (2m) in October would give him strong form claims but hasn’t been quite as good in two runs this spring. Last time second in Group 3 at Ascot (2m) but Flying Officer (third) is weighted to reverse that form here. Clever Cookie at 6/1 wears cheekpieces today and slower ground is preferable.