Timeform UK SmartPlays: Thursday August 23

Rocky Ground can improve to win the first race on the card, particularly now the similarly unexposed Blessington doesn't take his chance in the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at 14:00. Holding entries in Group races, Roger Varian's colt was just beaten at odds on last time by Ollie Olga at Newmarket. Rocky Ground was still a bit green on that occasion, not settling and drifting left inside the final furlong, but is entitled to have learnt plenty from the experience. The opposition is strong, including Royal Ascot winners Hototo and Body And Soul, but Rocky Ground's had nearly four weeks off since Newmarket and looks good value to continue the stable's great run of form.

The three-year-olds have often held sway in the Yorkshire Oaks (15:40) and The Fugue should continue that run today. She dominated the Musidora Stakes here in May over ten furlongs, and although stepping back up in trip this time, it shouldn't be a problem for the Ribblesdale runner-up. The Fugue has improved since, quickening past a top-class field to win the Nassau Stakes last time by a length from Timepiece. Three of four Nassau winners this decade have gone on to take the Oaks at York, and this improving filly should follow suit for a yard that are already on the board in Group races at the festival this year.

Royal runner Sequence is up in class in the next race at 16:15, but she's been frighteningly progressive of late and more than merits the try in a higher grade. Allowed an easy lead under Ryan Moore, Sequence dominated her last race from start to finish, but that shouldn't take anything away from her performance. Her Thirsk win at the end of July proved both her ability to stay this distance and handle fast ground, and she can capitalise on that now in this more competitive setting. Sequence has shown herself to be deserving of a chance in a listed contest, and in this race that Her Majesty won last year with the similarly produced Set To Music, she should earn her first black type.

Timeform SmartPlays
All at York

Back Rocky Ground @ 3.953/1 in the 14:00
Back The Fugue @ 2.727/4 in the 15:40
Back Sequence @ 2.767/4 in the 16:15