Has Rosallion’s Final Group One Opportunity Slipped Away?

Another disappointing showing by Richard Hannon’s Rosallion in group one company saw his City of York Stakes stolen by Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding’s Never So Brave as the newly upgraded group one race over seven furlongs proved too much for Sean Levey and Rosallion.

After being beaten by nothing but a hair at Royal Ascot, and losing out to 125/1 shot Qirat at Glorious Goodwood, the City of York stakes looked Rosallion’s to lose, and another somewhat poor ride by Sean Levey denied Rosallion his first group one of the season.

Levey himself criticised his ride at Goodwood after allowing Qirat to make the run in and somewhat easily win, and after getting the beat over Field of Gold and Henri Matisse, it was there for the taking. The same feeling was probably there this afternoon prior to the City of York stakes, but the drop in trip proved to be too much of a difficult task for the four year old.

Despite keeping on at the final furlong and just missing out on group one glory by a head, many have divided over the ride given to Rosallion, but aside from the race itself, thoughts over Rosallion’s future in group one races are beginning to wear thin. Four shots at the cherry this season so far for Richard Hannon have all resulted in bitter disappointment, and with nothing major to look ahead to, Rosallion’s place as a group one this season doesn't look like it's getting any easier.

With the City of York stakes being upgraded this year from a group two to a group one, it was Rosallion’s to lose among likely group two calibre company, and with his history against the likes of Field of Gold, his form was through the roof, and he looked like a certainty, especially heading off at evens in the market. Nevertheless, whether it was the drop in trip, the recent set back due to a sore foot, or just the ride in general, Rosallion’s shot at a group one win this season didn't look any easier, and for Richard Hannon and Sean Levey, times and races are only going to get tougher, and some will begin to debate whether he really is the real deal.