Wathnan Racing's Damysus is set to return to his former glory in the Sky Bet York Stakes, according to Wathnan's adviser Richard Brown. The four-year-old colt, a son of Frankel, has struggled to recapture his impressive form since blowing away rivals in the Group 3 Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket's Craven meeting in April. Brown admits that the team has made a bit of a mess of it, going down the Derby route last year and then the mile route, and now they are back at a mile and a quarter, which is Damysus' preferred trip. The York Stakes line-up includes the last two Dante winners, Item and Pride Of Arras, who beat Damysus into second in 2025. Brown is confident that Damysus will bounce back and is backing him to perform well in the race. James Doyle will be riding Damysus at York, with Jamie Spencer booked for the ride on Wathnan-owned Alta Regina in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes at Ascot on the same afternoon. Wathnan also has a decent team heading to Goodwood next week, including star sprinter Night Raider, who is set to compete in the King George Qatar Stakes. Brown is optimistic about Night Raider's chances and believes that returning to Goodwood over a fast five will play to his strengths. Additionally, Wathnan has Haatem in the Bentinck Conditions Stakes, who has a good chance, and a fair sprinkling of runners in the handicaps. The article also mentions a few other racing-related stories, such as William Buick's eight-day suspension for careless riding and Ed Bethell's plans for a German Group 1 with an improving filly.
