York Ebor Festival SmartPlays: Day Two, Thursday August 21

Kool Kompany came up slightly short in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes 11 days ago, but he should prove up to the task of conceding weight to all of his rivals in the opening DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at 13:55. Kool Kompany has to shoulder a 7 lb penalty for his exploits in Group company but he is a most likeable, tough juvenile and he comes into this race on the back of a close-up second behind Aidan O'Brien's promising Dick Whittington. Things didn't pan out ideally for Kool Kompany at the Curragh as he was slowly away, raced freely and had to barge his way out, the early exertions possibly taking a toll in the closing stages as he could find no extra, but it was still a creditable effort. Kool Kompany has already won a pair of Group 2s this season, including in the Prix Robert Papin where he showed a tremendous attitude under pressure, and this represents a marked drop in class. 

The one-mile handicap at 15:05 is unsurprisingly ultra-competitive stuff but Short Squeeze has shown signs that he is coming to the boil, and he could offer a spot of value. Short Squeeze progressed well last season, rattling up a hat-trick which included a win at this meeting, and he looked the type that could develop into a pattern-class performer. Things haven't quite gone as expected this term for Hugo Palmer's charge, soundly beaten on his first couple of outings, but he turned in his best effort so far when finishing fourth over seven furlongs here last time, travelling strongly for much of the way, promising more to come. The step back up to a mile won't prove a problem and, mindful that this is the time of year his form really took off last season, Short Squeeze could be primed to strike. 

This is a really competitive renewal of the Galtres Stakes (16:20), featuring a number of upwardly-progressive fillies, but the vote goes to the William Haggas-trained Arabian Comet as she took a big step forward when finishing runner-up at Goodwood last time and seems to be thriving on racing. Arabian Comet was possibly flattered by how the race developed at Goodwood, staying on strongly as the leaders faltered, but she boasts a convincing profile having won three of her four previous starts, the only defeat coming in a red-hot handicap behind Connecticut at this venue. Arabian Comet is in excellent hands and is still on the up, so she holds leading claims. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
All at York 

Back Kool Kompany in the 13:55
Back Short Squeeze in the 15:05
Back Arabian Comet in the 16:20