Friday’s Yorkshire Cup is the first chance we get to see the stayers  in the Qipco British Champions Series. It’s an intriguing puzzle, rich in class and plenty of group form in the mix.

Course and distance winner Times Up is interesting back on the Knavesmire. He’s an improving type who gets better year on year. He’s certain to stay the trip as he proved at this meeting last year over the same distance. He’s also won over 2 miles so there’ll be no concerns about that. One question mark which does lie over his head is how well he runs after a lay off. He’s never won first time out and may just need this to get back to his best. I think he’ll find at least one of these too good for him tomorrow.

There’s a lot to like about the way Harris Tweed goes about his business. What I would refer to as a ‘placepot horse’ as he always gives 100%. He’s a proven stayer, an admirable type however, he just lacks the pace of some of his rivals which will be of concern with York’s long run-in. He won last time out at Newbury over 1 mile 4 beating Arctic Cosmos, also running tomorrow,  who virtually pulled up on that occasion. Definitely a likeable type but I have the feeling there’ll be one or two ahead of him tomorrow.

My strongest bet tomorrow will be Ed Dunlop’s Red Cadeaux. He massively improved last year and will be back at his very best after a smart second to Colour Vision on his reappearance at Kempton. He was weighted 3lb higher than Colour Vision and was beaten by just over a length. He had a memorable 2011 but at times didn’t get the luck of the draw. His 2nd to Dunadin in the Melbourne Cup looked less like a nose but a nose hair on the line – they don’t come any closer than that! He was also 3rd in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase,  very strong form dropping into Group 2 level. This is his perfect trip, he’ll be fully fit and I can’t see him being out of the top 2. You could find much worse 3/1 shots any day of the week and he’ll be my NAP on the last day of an excellent Dante meeting.

2.30 York Red Cadeaux 3/1 WIN (Bet with Betfred)