Aug 22 City Of York Stakes form analysis

Notable Speech well rehearsed for York

Godolphin’s five-time Group 1 winner is a leading hope if he is at his best over 1,400m

Notable Speech (William Buick) scoring the second of his five Group 1 wins in the Sussex Stakes (1,600m) at Goodwood on July 31, 2024.

PHOTO: RACING AND SPORTS

1 Lake Forest

Ran second in the 2025 renewal. Won a Group 2 in Goodwood in July, then endured a troubled run in a hot Group 1 the next day. A good chance to score.

Won a Group 2 on soft ground in 2025 and is probably best on that. In decent form but this is a tough task.

Progressive and won Group 3 on soft ground in June. Unlikely to be good enough especially if fast ground.

High class. Won five Group 1s, the latest in May, all over 1,600m. Excellent chance if at best over 1,400m.

Returned from year off with career best win in Group 3 over 1,200m. Stays 1,400m. Needs more. Outside chance.

Shock 200-1 winner of Group 1 over 1,200m in 2025. Not reproduced that nor run since May. Unlikely winner.

Beat 27 rivals to win a prestigous Handicap in Royal Ascot, then excellent second in a Group 2 over 1,400m. Not ruled out.

Won two Group 1s in Japan. Placed in three Group 1s in UK at 1,200m. Tough task at 1,400m and, even with Joao Moreira up, but respected.

Raced mainly at 1,400m but won and ran well in two recent Group 1s over 1,600m. Respected and fair chance.

First run over 1,400m when won Group 3 in July. Has good record at York. Needs more to win this.

Only run three times, all over 1,200m. Won Group 2 in 2025. Off for nearly a year then third in Listed race. Tough task.

Changed stables after won small-field Group 1. Midfield in Group 1s then won Group 2. Needs more.

Won two Group 1s on soft ground in France in 2025. Well beaten on fast ground this year. Needs rain.

Won first four races including Group 1 in 2025. Not quite in that form this year but in the mix.