York Glory’s fortunes can prove eponymous in the Duke of York Stakes

The ambitiously named York Glory may have already triumphed at the eponymous track, but victory in the Duke of York Stakes would surely surpass all achievements to date.

The five-year-old, currently priced at 16/1, has plenty in his favour and is arguably the best of Kevin Ryan’s five chances in the Group 3 contest.

Of course, Yorkshireman Ryan is no stranger to winning this race having triumphed with Amadeus Wolf in 2007 and now seeks consecutive victories after Tiddliwinks’ victory last year.

The former was an obliging 3/1 favourite who could already boast a Group 1 win as a two-year-old. York Glory is yet to reach those sort of heights, but he demonstrated plenty of class on his last run under the guidance of Neil Callan.

Held up towards the rear, he began tracking the leaders from a couple of furlongs out before being denied a clear run a furlong out. Callan coolly switched him right and the five-year-old ran on well to claim the Class 2 at Pontefract off of second top-weight.

He has the right sort of progressive-profile and like three of the last five winners is five years old. Of course, his best run to date will be required, but be sure that Ryan will have him ready and primed to step-up as he did with Tiddliwinks last year, who is 16/1 to defend his title.

His form on his last two outings might give some cause for concern, finishing 13^th of 18 in a Group 1 at Longchamp and dead last on his latest run in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. However, he is a mercurial type and he had finished last on his two previous outings before getting up here last year.

It is certainly not beyond the seven-year-old, but age is now against him.

If Ryan is to be successful, his charges will need to get the better of the impressive filly Mince, current 5/2 favourite. Landing the four-timer on her last run at Ascot it could be a very exciting season for the four-year-old.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.