BRAVE BLUE TAKES YORKSHIRE OAKS

Blue Bunting landed her third Group One triumph with a hard-fought win in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire.

The 1000 Guineas and Irish Oaks heroine kept on stoutly in the hands of Frankie Dettori to hold off the persistent challenge of Vita Nova.

The 11-4 favourite, owned by Godolphin and trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, led over a furlong out to win by three-quarters of a length from Sir Henry Cecil's filly, with Wonder Of Wonders a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Dettori said: "She was in season today, so her mind wasn't exactly on the job - she made it really hard work for me. She's never going to be flash - ie winning by a long margin - but she's very hard to pass. Her form all year has been red hot and she's very tough.

"It's up to Sheikh Mohammed, but she deserves to be there (in the Ladbrokes St Leger) if they want to. She's a very good filly."

Racing manager Simon Crisford added: "It was a fantastic effort. She's such a tough filly - so resolute - and when the second came to her, Blue Bunting wasn't having any of it.

"She's really brave and honest. She's a fantastic filly to have won a Guineas, an Irish Oaks and a Yorkshire Oaks on different types of ground. I've just talked to Sheikh Mohammed and he said 'Let's keep all the options open'. We'll see how she is over the next week or so and then make a decision.

"It's not definite that she will run in the St Leger, but it is quite possible. I would definitely say she'd stay the trip. She wasn't stopping today and the further she went the better she was, so I'm sure a mile and six wouldn't be any trouble to her at all. She'd have a great chance of winning if she went there. She's a true star."

Cecil said of Vita Nova: "She ran a fabulous race. I'm really pleased with her. I like winning, but you can't take anything away from her as there was a long way back to the third. She'll stay in training next year and I like spreading her races out. We might look at a race at Ascot on Champions' Day over a mile and a half."

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TERMS FARES BEST IN LOWTHER

Best Terms (11-1) stretched her unbeaten record to four with a convincing win in York's Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes.

Richard Hannon's decision to keep the Queen Mary winner to her own age and sex, rather than take on her elders in the Nunthorpe Stakes, paid handsome dividends.

Richard Hughes had her smartly out of the stalls and she was soon at the head of affairs, followed by Fire Lily. Angels Will Fall and Gamilati never got into contention as Best Terms kept up the gallop to win by two lengths from Fire Lily, with Hello Glory another three and a quarter lengths away third.

"She was very good. She's small, but she's not as small as she was - she's grown a bit. We've always said she needed six (furlongs), and she got away with it in the Queen Mary," said Hughes.

Best Terms was quoted at 12-1 by William Hill for next year's 1000 Guineas and Hughes added: "She's so professional and was so easy to ride. There's a lot of stamina there and I always knew she'd be better at six.

"This year she'll go for the Cheveley Park (Newmarket, September 24), and then we'll start her off at Newbury in the spring."

Richard Hannon jnr, assistant trainer to his father, said: "She did that very well. She got three lengths out of the gate and never looked like getting beat. We had to miss the Prix Robert Papin because she had a slight overreach. She's obviously confirmed superiority from Ascot.

"She'll probably have one more run this year in the Cheveley Park and we'll deal with next season when it comes, but she should take a lot of beating in that race."

David Wachman, Fire Lily's trainer, said: "The winner has won well, but it was a good run from her. We'll probably meet the winner again in the Cheveley Park and I'll think about whether she'll run again before that."

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MUSIC ON SONG IN GALTRES

Set To Music (8-1) impressively brought home a four-timer in the EBF "Selkirk" Galtres Stakes at York.

Owned by The Queen and trained by Michael Bell, the three-year-old filly took the step up to Listed grade in her stride.

Spin proved a belligerent foe with a couple of furlongs to run, but Jamie Spencer always appeared in supreme control. Cracking Lass stayed on along the middle of the track, but Set To Music still had two and a quarter lengths in the locker at the line. Wild Coco, the 11-8 favourite, was disappointing.

Bell said: "She's suddenly clicked into gear and I'm thrilled. The way she did it was sensational.

"I had pencilled her in for the Prix Vermeille (Longchamp, September 11), but we'll give further thought as to where we go in between.

"The style of the victory has slightly caught me on the hop. The further she went, the better she went. She's a very exciting middle-distance filly from the family of Zarkava and she has done nothing but improve."

Dazinski outstayed his rivals in the concluding eventmasters.co.uk Stakes.

Trained by Yorkshire-born Mark Tompkins, the 20-1 shot posted another winner on the board for Paul Hanagan. The five-year-old outmuscled the front-running Hawk Mountain a furlong and a half out, before fending off Deauville Flyer and runner-up Chilly Filly.

In what was a pretty scrappy affair, Hanagan swerved the scrimmaging in behind to score by three-quarters of a length. Stevie Donohoe was less fortunate, having been unshipped from leading fancy Tuscan Gold when leaving the stalls.

Tompkins admitted: "I didn't think he'd like the ground, but he's always been such a nice horse. He'll be in the Cesarewitch and will maybe run in the Cesarewitch Trial beforehand."

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FALLON HAS HIGH HOPES FOR HOOF

Kieren Fallon believes Hoof It is "something special" as he bids to make the step up from top drawer handicapper to Group One-winning sprinter in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.

Trained not too far away from the Knavesmire by Mick Easterby, the four-year-old has made giant strides during his relatively short career, notably striking three times at York, and adding further colour to the gelding's story is the fact that he is part-owned by golfing pro Lee Westwood and his agent Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler.

Fallon said: "He has got a great turn of foot - great speed. The only problem I've had in the last three or four races that I've won on him was trying to find something to give us a lead. I couldn't believe how much improvement that there was from York to Goodwood."

He added: "The only blip in his copybook was that race at Royal Ascot when he wasn't himself. He was lifeless that day for some reason."

Hoof It has to give weight to the fillies in the race and almost two stone to David Wachman's Molecomb Stakes-winning juvenile Requinto. Two-year-olds have been successful in this five-furlong speed test in the past and Fallon acknowledges that for most horses such a hefty concession of weight would be a difficult task.

"It is a lot of weight to have to give for most sprinters, but the thing about Hoof It is he is so big, strong and powerful it might not make a difference to him," the former champion jockey added.

"I think he is exceptional. Most sprinters would struggle to give that type of weight away but he gives me the feel of something special."

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BOGART STEALS THE SHOW

Bogart ran out a ready winner of the valuable DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at York for trainer Kevin Ryan and jockey Phillip Makin.

Always in the front rank, the youngster led two furlongs out and quickly put a couple of lengths between himself and his rivals. The 17-2 shot skipped clear to score by a length and three-quarters from Miss Work Of Art, with Gerfalcon and Ewell Place dead-heating for third place.

Makin said: "He didn't handle the track at Goodwood - the ground was also a bit quick - but he's a really nice horse. He has bags of speed, but I'm sure he'll stay further. He gave me a great feel."

Ryan said: "He didn't handle Goodwood at all but Phillip always had a lot of faith in him. He worked him the other day and said to me that he'll win. He bossed the race so he'll obviously go for the other sales race at Doncaster (Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes on September 8) now."

Navajo Chief (25-1) got up in the dying strides to land the spoils in the Addleshaw Goddard Stakes. Apprentice Harry Bentley got a late run out of the Alan Jarvis-trained gelding to deny Smarty Socks by three-quarters of a length.

Bentley said: "He's such a game horse. The more he went on, the more he picked up. He managed to break so well and has taken me there nicely the whole way."

Jarvis said: "We gelded the horse and left him alone for a while, but I've been very happy with his work over the last week and I had a feeling he was right back to his best. He'll probably go to Dubai again, but I think he's quite capable of winning a Listed or Group Three race."

The Buckinghamshire trainer also sang the praises of the winning rider.

"I've said all along that I haven't seen a kid like him for 20 years. He's been very well brought up and is a fine talent," added Jarvis.

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POWER A NUNTHORPE DOUBT

Sole Power may not defend his crown in Friday's Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

A shock 100-1 winner last year, trainer Eddie Lynam fears the ground could be too soft for the four-year-old sprinter. The County Meath trainer is likely to make a late call on whether to let his stable star take his chance.

"There's a big doubt about him running because of the ground," said Lynam, speaking from Thursday evening's meeting at Tipperary.

Sole Power was around an 8-1 shot to land back-to-back victories in the Group One dash on the Knavesmire.

Kingsgate Native will bid to get a largely disappointing season back on track on the Knavesmire.

Chris Richardson, managing director of owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "He'll keep appearing in these races and you never know, like all these sprinters, they seem to have their day. He's been disappointing this year but he might as well run and hopefully we can get some cover as that is what he needs.

"He was drawn one at Goodwood last time and with the extra stalls he ended up almost too wide, which was unfortunate."

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REQUINTO FACING TOUGH TASK

David Wachman admits Requinto is facing a tough task against his elders in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.

Following the late withdrawal of leading fancy Bapak Chinta due to a minor injury, the Molecomb Stakes winner is now the sole juvenile in the line-up and will carry just 8st 1lb in the Group One sprint.

Wachman said: "He's fine and I'm not too worried about the ground. He's won on a slower surface and seems to be pretty adaptable. He obviously gets the weight from the older horses and two-year-olds have won this before, although it takes a good one to win it."

Robert Cowell's pride and joy Prohibit makes his first racecourse appearance since striking in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot over two months ago.

The handler said: "We missed Goodwood simply because having a 7lb penalty on that very, very fast track might not have been ideal. He looks very well and he seems fresh. He has really had a good rest and hopefully that will have done him some good - he had been on the go for quite some time.

"We've never run him at York (although he did run once at the track over six furlongs as a three-year-old for John Gosden), so I don't know how he will act there. But he has a good temperament and doesn't get lit up by much."

Roger Charlton's Bated Breath was fifth in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot before placing second in the July Cup. The four-year-old suffered a minor foot injury last week but his trainer is happy his exciting sprinter is now back on song and he is keeping his fingers crossed conditions do not become any more testing.

"I thought the ground on Wednesday was genuine good to soft ground with soft places and it doesn't seem to have dried much overnight from what they say," said Charlton.

"There is more rain coming and it could be quite heavy, but they tell me York might miss it and let's hope that is the case. Obviously faster ground would be more helpful for us."

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MONGAN MASTERCLASS IN INTERNATIONAL

York 14:30 - sportingbet.com Acomb Stakes (Group 3)

A taking performance from winner ENTIFAADHA who had to work hard to see off the placed horses but did so with a willing attitude.

He isn't the biggest so may lack the scope for improvement of some of his rivals but he is a sharp two-year-old and a race like the Champagne Stakes over this trip may be a better route than the Dewhurst or Racingpost Trophy options; he's entered in lots of races, and got the obligatory Guineas quote directly after this win.

He got a nice tow through the race from the keen-going Archbishop and was always well-placed by Richard Hills, although he seemed to find a little trouble around the bend. However once on an even keel he found his stride, and despite being off the bridle quite early, he continued to battle on well.

He didn't put the race to bed immediately but he was gutsy and always looked in command in the final 50 yards.

Fort Bastion is still a maiden but he ran a cracker here, finishing second and bouncing back from an average HQ run last time.

He was always near the pace, and although he came off the bit as the pace quickened, he actually came back on the bridle with two to run. He had every chance in the final 200 yards but just found a better horse on the day.

Third home was Zumbi who came from further back than the first pair. He too held every chance with a furlong to go but seemed to get a little tired, perhaps due to the going or having to make up his ground quite quickly. He has lots of scope for improvement but might just be better off back over six furlongs at this stage of his career.

Fourth, and unlucky, was Caledonian Springs. He represents an unfashionable yard but would surely have been placed had he got a clear run. He was repeatedly hampered (held up last) and only made up his ground when finally granted some fresh air; compensation awaits down the line.

The first quartet were clear of Al Khan who travelled well but the response when asked to quicken was tepid; he probably raced too keenly to begin with.

Sixth home was Archbishop who set the pace but certainly raced far too keenly. He looks a nice long-term prospect however, whilst Furners Green and Moon Pearl were both well-held but each ran on quite takingly late in the day. Balty Boys was outpaced throughout and made some modest late headway.

York 15:05 - sportingbet.com Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)

The stand-out performance of the day and a ruthless victory which saw SEA MOON (rightly) jump to St Leger favouritism.

It's easy to get carried away with performances, but this was so visually impressive that if he makes it to Doncaster in the same form then he will take plenty of beating, although quotes of even money at this stage make no appeal.

Richard Hughes, back riding for Prince Khalid Abdullah in the absence of Ryan Moore, held him up off the pace for most of the way but then made up his ground effortlessly as they turned in.

Coming to the near side as the wheat was sorted from the chaff, he seemed to roll into favourite Seville when starting to make his challenge. That didn't put him off however as he was quickly back on the bridle and then mastered Seville quickly, cutting him up slightly, before powering away for an ever increasing winning distance.

This race has been a very good trial for the St Leger (most recently Lucarno in 2007) and indeed Sea Moon's close relation Brian Boru was second here before going on to Doncaster glory. He's obviously very progressive and is very highly-thought-of, however he is sure to face a sterner test next month as this field, despite some good form, doesn't appear to have run up to their best.

That comment especially applies to hot favourite Seville. He was well-placed throughout, and came through travelling well to launch a challenge with three furlongs to run. However he was quickly brushed aside by the winner, and couldn't muster enough to see off Al Khazeem who finished second.

The form of Aidan O'Brien's colt has been at the top level and this was probably the run of a horse who needs a good break. On a side note his stablemate and pacemaker Regent Street was ridden far too aggressively in a first-time visor and might as well have not bothered turning up.

Plenty of credit must go to runner-up Al Khazeem who came from a similar position to the winner but lacked his class and turn of foot. This was his first try at the trip and in running so well up in grade he must go down as progressive, and we must be careful that his effort isn't insulted as Seville's is questioned.

His jockey did seem to want to hold onto him for as long as possible so perhaps there were some doubts over this longer distance.

The disappointment of the race was Namibian who was one of the first off the bridle. He battled away for a while but, after running up the back of Thimaar, dropped away. He needs a break on this evidence, although he did plug on past Hunter's Light who was eased late on.

Both Hunter's Light and Genius Beast tried to creep into the race turning in and both got fairly close to the lead, but they were quickly heavily under pressure and they had no answers.

Thimaar was eased from an early stage and this was blatantly not his true running.

York 15:40 - Juddmonte International Stakes (British Champions' Series) (Group 1)

Much like the previous race, the pacemaking plan for Windsor Palace looked like it had been drawn in crayon by a child. He went off too quickly, meaning the bulk of the field ignored him, and therefore the race was not run at a strong tempo.

Indeed the winning time was some seven seconds slower than standard, and although the ground looked sticky, it seems to emphasize the modest pace where it mattered. Ultimately this boiled down to a shoot-out between stablemates TWICE OVER and Midday, presumably with Prince Khalid Abdullah skipping for joy.

The owner of both horses has sponsored this race for over 20 years and it was a fine sight to see him present the trophy to his racing manager Lord Grimthorpe, sling et al. Both horses were ridden patiently, happy to track the hot favourite Await The Dawn in the early stages.

With four furlongs to run Tom Queally moved Midday closer to Aidan O'Brien's runner, and actually moved him into second momentarily. This was interesting as she has idled in the past, and one presumed that Queally would hold onto the mare for as long as possible.

As Windsor Palace fell away, the three big guns raced in a line, and it was on the near side that Twice Over took the lead. Await The Dawn was the first to feel the whip, and the response was poor, showing no sign of the turn of foot that had been on display at both Chester and Ascot.

And then there were two.

Midday, with her head marginally in front of Twice Over by this point, ruined her chance by drifting to her left. She went all the way to the far rail, must have lost a length, and in doing so lost the race.

Queally knows that she has a habit of doing this when in-front so presumably the jockey was more scared of Await The Dawn's turn of foot rather than this happening.

A lot of credit must go to Twice Over, for while he had previously won three Group 1s, he was still considered a definite second string here. On the basis of his Duke Of York win that was fair enough, but the six-year-old was a real professional, staying straighter than the winner, and putting his head forward, and sticking it out, when needed most.

He is likely to head for the Champion Stakes at its new Ascot home and the dual winner of the race will certainly be afforded more respect on that occasion. Midday may join him there, although connections will wait and see what the ground is like and also take into consideration a return to the Breeders' Cup.

Whether a trip to Kentucky is on the agenda for Await The Dawn might well be in question now, although one swallow doesn't make a summer. O'Brien suggested that he had left the horse slightly short of fitness with America in mind, but it will be interesting to see the noises coming out of the camp following this run.

All the hype suggested that he could be the next big thing, and he might still be, however all of his wins can have holes picked in the form and he now has something to prove, especially at the top level.

Zafisio, who doesn't appear to have grown much since his excellent days as a juvenile, was held-up but when the big three went on he never looked like hanging onto their coat tails and was a soundly beaten fourth.

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SNOW FAIRY OUT OF YORKSHIRE OAKS

Ed Dunlop's Snow Fairy will not run in Thursday's Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York but is set to run at Deauville on Sunday instead.

Dunlop believes the ground at the Knavesmire is too soft for last year's dual Classic winner and instead intends to run her in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on Sunday.

"Having seen how soft the ground has been, I have decided it is too much for Snow Fairy and she will instead go to France at the weekend for the Prix Romanet," he said.

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TWICE OVER TAKES JUDDMONTE

Twice Over led home stablemate Midday in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

The first two home are both trained by Sir Henry Cecil and there was a terrific battle in the final furlong as both horses drifted to the far rail.

Ultimately Ian Mongan on the six-year-old got the upper hand near the line for an 11-2 success, and his fourth Group 1 win.

Runner-up Midday (5-2) has shown a tendency to hang in the past and this was in evidence again as she drifted to her left throughout the final two furlongs.

Red-hot favourite Await The Dawn held every chance with a furlong to run but the response when asked by jockey Joseph O'Brien was lacklustre and he was soon beaten.

Both of the first two home are owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah whose Juddmonte operation have sponsored the race for 20 years.

Mongan, securing the biggest win of his career, said: "He's a true champion, this horse, and really stuck his neck out.

"It's really special. I would like to thank the Prince (Khalid Abdullah, owner) and Sir Henry for putting faith in me because this is as good as it gets.

"I didn't think they went particularly quick and I think Midday and Twice Over probably had a bit more turn of foot to go by.

"The way it was looking I thought it might be a dead-heat, but he really stuck it out."

Cecil said: "The Prince has sponsored this race for years and years and never won it before.

"And I said to him if we didn't win it today we'd have to wait for Frankel, hopefully, next year.

"They both deserved to run. If the ground had been a bit faster, Midday might have given Twice Over a closer race.

"Tom Queally was on Midday and he's won six Group Ones on her so I wanted him to stay on her, and Ian Mongan was on Twice Over.

"I've always thought a lot of him. He's my second jockey and is very underrated.

"He's a very good jockey and if he got better rides he'd be right in the top flight.

"I'm so pleased for him. He really deserved it."

Cecil added: "I was very nervous but I really enjoyed it. "I'd have hoped for a dead-heat, really, but I'm just so pleased for the Prince as he's always wanted to win this race.

"Twice Over is a fabulous horse and we'll probably freshen him up and go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

"If the ground had been a bit quicker, I think it would have helped Midday.

"She'll be entered in the same race and we'll see what happens."

O'Brien said of Await The Dawn: "I don't want to take anything away from the other two, but it has been a while since he ran at Ascot and maybe I should have given him another run or a racecourse gallop.

"America (Breeders' Cup Classic) is still the long-term plan and we'll try and find something in between."

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TIMEFORM HAIL SEA MOON DISPLAY

Timeform has provisionally rated Sea Moon 128p after the colt's eight-length win in York's Great Voltigeur Stakes.

The margin was the widest in recent years in a race recognised as a trial for the Ladbrokes St Leger, for which Sea Moon is now a short-priced favourite.

The average Timeform rating of the winner of the St Leger - in the race itself - has been 124 this century.

And to put this into further context, the highest ratings in the St Leger itself this century have been Conduit (127) and Milan (126).

Sea Moon is now well ahead of the likes of Seville (122), Census (120), Brown Panther (118) and Blue Bunting (118) among possibles for the Doncaster race.

The performance also elevated Sea Moon to a prominent position in a strong three-year-old division headed by Frankel.

Top 3-y-os on Timeform ratings: 142 Frankel; 129 Dream Ahead; 128 Excelebration; 128p (provisional) Sea Moon; 127 Nathaniel; 127 Immortal Verse.

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ENTIFAADHA LANDS ACOMB

William Haggas' Entifaadha won the sportingbet.com Acomb Stakes at York.

The Dansili colt (7-2 fav) came off the bridle fairly early on under Richard Hills but moved through with a challenge on the far side with two furlongs to go.

He had to work hard to see off runner-up Fort Bastion (15-2) and the third home Zumbi (8-1) but was firmly in charge at the line.

Caledonian Spring ran on late in the day for a closing fourth and looked unlucky, having been stopped repeatedly in his run.

Haggas said about the winner: "He's come from a maiden to win this. He wants to win this horse and has a great temperament so has a real chance.

"I don't know how good the race was those two attributes will stand him in good stead wherever he goes.

"He looks like he'll get a mile. It means a lot to me to have another Stakes winner for Sheikh Hamdan. He may have liked the ground but is a nice horse, who cost a lot of money.

"He's pretty high up in my two-year-old pecking order at the moment. We look to have a nice bunch. A few have won maidens and need to step up and he's done just that.

"Johnny Murtagh said he was a Group horse when he won his maiden and Richard (Hills) likes him a lot. He's in all the big autumn races and I'll put him in the Grand Criterium too. He has another options to keep him occupied and me excited."

Hills added: "He's not very big, but he's very tough.

"I was always going to get there, but he made me work for it.

"He came out of his first race well. He gave Johnny (Murtagh) a good feel and he told us to be bold with him. He did a nice bit of work last week.

"I thought they went very fast early and then they quickened pretty early in the straight.

"It rode like a good race. There was a proper pace and they picked up from it."

Entifaadha was promptly given a 20-1 quote by William Hill for next year's 2000 Guineas.

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BAKER RISES TO THE OCCASION

George Baker made his only ride of the day at York count as he opened the 2011 Ebor meeting on Secret Asset in the Symphony Group Stakes.

Sent off at 16-1, despite winning at Glorious Goodwood and then finishing seventh in the Stewards' Cup later in the meeting, Jane Chapple-Hyam's gelding is a complicated individual but really got going in the closing stages of the sprint to mow down Racy and collect by a neck.

"He was actually quite badly in at the weights in the Stewards' Cup but was still only beaten four lengths and I think he has come here a bit overlooked," said Baker.

"I came here confident but the plaudits have to go to the yard.

"You just have to get him into a rhythm in his own way, but when you can he's quite a useful horse."

Bomber Jet benefited from a typically power-packed ride by Kieren Fallon to land the sportingbet.com Stakes.

The six-times champion jockey settled the 20-1 shot field towards the rear and he was getting low in the saddle from an early stage.

But as many of the pacesetters wilted in the testing ground, Nigel Tinkler's Bomber Jet made headway in between rivals and flashed home in the final furlong to beat Sunrise Dance by a neck.

Mister Musicmaster and On The Hoof filled the minor places.

"He's a lovely horse," considered Tinkler. "He's still a baby and he doesn't really know how to win yet, but you could see from a long way out that it was never in doubt.

"He'll end up in Hong Kong because that's where his owner is from, but I don't know whether that will be this year or next."

A second Yorkshire-based winner soon followed as Richard Fahey's Our Joe Mac narrowly outpointed Arlequin in a thrilling finish to the Patrington Haven Leisure Park Handicap.

Paul Hanagan's mount had disappointed early in the campaign but recent efforts had been more encouraging.

The 8-1 chance moved up to challenge for the lead heading inside the final furlong and while the admirable Arlequin would not lie down, Our Joe Mac got the better of the argument by a head.

Strongly-fancied favourite Eagles Peak was a bitter disappointment.

Fahey said: "He's in a big handicap at Newbury next month, but he's also in the Cambridgeshire so we'll have to see."

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BODUGI BOOST AS SIR HENRY REIGNS

1715: Right team that's it. Eventful first day and a great one for Sir Henry, Sea Moon and Bodugi! I'll be back - and more focused - at 1000 in the morning. I got behind schedule with the technical problems earlier. It won't happen again. Thanks for all your help - we've three more magical days to go.

1710: Interesting line from Timeform re Sea Moon, our runaway Voltigeur winner. He's been rated 128p and the average Timeform rating of the winner of the St Leger - in the race itself - has been 124 this century.

And to put this into further context, the highest ratings in the St Leger itself this century have been Conduit (127) and Milan (126).

1700: Bodugi bagged, I love Bodugi, not as much as Ben Linfoot and Paul Shane but nearly as much! Oh Richard Fahey said: It's always great to get a winner here. Paul said the ground is riding dead and that suited this horse. He's in a valuable handicap at Newbury and could head there before a possible Cambridgeshire tilt."

1652: Well done to Richard Fahey - our Richard Fahey - Our Joe Mac wins! But what about Bodugi, what about Bodugi?

1648: What drama. I lead the HWPA Bodugi competition going into the last race. Basically if Ithoughtitwasover wins we're in clover. High Twelve and World Heritage are bad news.

1642: How do we rescue a day like this? An exacta 1-7-13-17 that's how!

1640: Naqshabban gone to post early. They could do with starting to get him into the stalls now.

1637: Bad news that Snow Fairy is out of the Yorkshire Oaks tomorrow. Race poorer for her absence.

1635: Vic Chiew needs Eagles Rest of Club Ocenia in our last for a decent bet - fingers crossed VC.

1630: Right where's the drawing board? John Sandys writes: "Hi Dave, hope you're well. Just seen the results of todays big races. Now we know why Sir Henry didn't run frankel in the International, the cheeky knight already had the 1,2 ready to run. As for Sea Moon, fantastic for Beat Hollow as a Stallion, and the 8/1 and 10/1 vouchers looking quite good now! Hate it when this work stuff gets in the way of the real serious business of the Ebor festival! Hope you're having a good day!"

It's fun JS - but expensive fun...

1608: Nursery next. I made Campanology one of my best bets of the day but would love it if Satanic Beat won. He's a chance too. Those two and Our Boy Jack in the Exacta.

1605: Martyn Brown has this to say on our feature race. "After 15 years of Godolphin and Coolmore dominance Khalid Abdullah has trumped them both this year. Best horse (Frankel), best filly (Midday), potentially the best middle-distance horse (Sea Moon), grand old Twice Over and let's not forget Workforce. Thought Queally gave Midday an average ride again, a bit like he did in Coronation Cup, but she was travelling so well he had to go on. Await the Dawn ran about as well as his form said it would. Never a chance against two of the most battle-hardened group 1ers of the last two years."

Cheers MB. It's certainly a golden era for the Juddmonte team and their home-bred stars.

1603: Alan Quigley feels they got it wrong tactically on the favourite too, saying: "Once again they come up short,overuse of pacemakers is a real problem.If the horses are as good as they maintain they should not need pacemakers.Also the use of jockeys who are not in the top grade is detrimental to their charges chances.Get ready for the spoofer to come up with the usual excuses,didn't act on the ground or he's pulled up feeling something but don't expect Aidan to say "Listen, we got the tactics wrong or we were beaten by better horses."

I don't know AQ. AOB was first over to congratulate Sir Henry. Know what you mean about pacemakers, I don't see the point in employing them unless you're leading fancy follows them. What's the point having a horse seven or eight lengths clear of the field? He's an irrelevance to the race.

1602: I need to see a replay of the International but Soodb wasn't impressed with the tactics employed on the runner-up. He writes: "What is wrong with Tom Queally, He started making his move on Midday at the 4 furlong pole. After the Cornation Cup i can't believe he's gone so soon, Everyone knew of the 3 market leaders she had the most pace, he should have left it for a sprint finish."

1559: Martin Damm is bemused by the price Sea Moon started today, saying: "When Sea Moon started his career in October 2010 he was hot favourite being closely related to Workforce and Brian Boru, the St. Leger hero of 2003, - how short memory can be! How could anyone allow him not to be hot favourite today?"

1557: Aidan O'Brien feels the Breeders' Cup Classic could still be on the agenda for Await The Dawn, saying: "America was a long-term plan and there's a lot of time in-between. We'll work out where to go next."

1555: Wonderful reception for the winner - and his trainer who is quite emotional. "It means an awful lot to win this for Prince Khalid who sponsors it and has been trying to win it for years and years. I thought I'd have two goes this year, as they both deserved to be here, as you saw."

1543: We have as Henry Cecil one-two. Twice Over wears down Midday to win the race with Await The Dawn one-paced and well beaten in third. Huge win for Ian Mongan and Tom Queally clearly pleased for both horse and rider despite partnering the second.

1533: No Frankel, no So You Think but let's hope Await The Dawn delivers a toop-flight performance.

1531: Aidan O'Brien walking alongside Await The Dawn who is attracting some clanging bets and is now 8-11. He's the clear paddock pick too. Twice Over doesn't look quite as well as he did last time here, Midday is very quiet and settled on the way to post.

1528: Midday look wonderful in her coat, as she always does.

1527: Very big moment coming up for Joseph O'Brien but he's produced one of the rides of the season already aboard Roderic O'Connor in the Irish 2000 and I wouldn't be against the favourite because of the jockey's lack of experience.

1522: SMS as he is to his friends also gave an upbeat bulletin on Workforce who is back cantering again after his problems post-Ascot and back on track for the Arc.

1520: The bookmakers are running for cover. The sponsors and William Hill are a top-priced 6-4 for the Click here to bet on the Ladbrokes St Leger. Sky Bet, Paddy Power and Betfred go 5-4 and Victor Chandler are as short as even-money.

1515: Not quite as much from our latest winning trainer but Sir Michael Stoute says of Sea Moon: "He was very impressive and is improving with time. On that evidence he has to have a leading chance in the Leger."

Richard Hughes was asked if he was a Leger winner and added: "He certainly ticks all the right boxes. I knew I had those in front of me beat and didn't want to go too soon. He was very impressive...but so was Census at Newbury!"

1508: Well we probably saw the Ladbrokes St Leger winner - and it's not Seville. Sea Moon wins as he likes from the staying-on Al Kazeem. The favourite a thoroughly beaten third.

1500: I think Seville win win this but can't back him at the price. Others can. He's now odds-on.

1457: Paddock notes, Namibian looks very well and has filled out impressively from last year, Sea Moon is better behaved than when he won here in June, Al Kazeem is well but less sturdy than some of his rivals and won't be beaten for fitness. Seville looks ok without filling the eye while Thimaar is still unfurnished and a work in progress.

1455; Aidan O'Brien here in very expensive sunglasses.

1450: Good to see Mark Thompson is back in the R Hills fan-club. He says: "Glad to report that Richard Hills more than redeemed himself there as Entifaadha is at the centre of my staking plan for today. Got the forecast and if Caledonian Spring had a bit more luck in running would have had trifecta as well. All is forgiven Richard."

Apparently the man currently tweeting as R Hills is a fraud. Which is something of a relief given his last tweet.

1445: Bookmakers impressed with the winner. Entifaadha is 33-1 with Paddy Power for the 2000 Guineas<. Sky Bet are 25s along with Ladbrokes but Hill's and Ladbrokes were more impressed and go 20s.

1440: William Haggas is understandably excited by his Acomb winner. He says: "He's come from a maiden to win this. He wants to win this horse and has a great temperament so has a real chance. I don't know how good the race was those two attributes will stand him in good stead wherever he goes.

"He looks like he'll get a mile. It means a lot to me to have another Stakes winner for Sheikh Hamdan. He may have liked the ground but is a nice horse, who cost a lot of money. He's pretty high up in my two-year-old pecking order at the moment.

"We look to have a nice bunch. A few have won maidens and need to step up and he's done just that. Johnny Murtagh said he was a Group horse when he won his maiden and Richard (Hills) likes him a lot. He's in all the big autumn races and I'll put him in the Grand Criterium too. He has another options to keep him occupied and me excited."

1427: Archbishop wins the best turned out. I really liked the way he travelled through the race at Sandown and the Meehan juveniles always improve significantly for a first run. He'd do for me but I'm watching and savouring.

1424: The money is for Entifaadha. Joseph O'Brien is having his first ride at York aboard Furner's Green. He has a rather busy hour or so coming up.

1423: Paddock notes courtesy of Ian Brindle. Entifaadha amd Balty Boys look primed for today, Furner's Green had two handlers and looks OK and Archbishop is a fantastic long-term prospect.

1420: Tip Top Gorgeous bolts up at Carlisle to boost Satanic Beat's form from the last day here.

1419: In-running carnage for our opener. Favourite Girl trades at 1-100 in-running and Racy 1-33.

1417: Bob Davies says: "Lucky you, Dave. A complimentary buffet at the races is a real get-out-of-jail card for the well-upholstered punter as any betting losses can be offset by gorging on the most expensive items.

"If the Exacta goes down nip back and see if there's any salmon left."

Sadly BD there's not. Afternoon tea at 1530 BST. As a professional I'll be concentrating on the Juddmonte International, with a scone.

1415: Mark Thompson writes: "Can't help but think that a better hold-up jockey than Richard Hills would have won that first race on Kanaf. Again he found trouble in a race where no one else did."

I need to see it again MT but he's definitely finished well having seemed to be slowly away. Could be one for a decent sprint handicap at the Leger Meeting.

1413: Acomb next and first appearance in pre-parade ring suggests they're above-average - no surprise there then.

1407: Well it wasn't supposed to start that way but it does. Secret Asset wins our opener. Winning jockey George Baker feels we have "lovely racing ground" but Jamie Spencer felt it was "dead" and David Allan "tacky".

Kanaf runs well to get as close as he does given he missed the break, along with Ritual.

1350: Ancient Cross just about the paddock pick, and he's in the exacta with winner Ritual, Shropshire and Irish Heartbeat. What a way that would be to start!! Good luck to everyone.

1335: I made a very shrewd move in appointing Vic Chiew who says: "Hope you enjoyed lunch? Anything nice? As your newly appointed Lifestyle coach, I should've advised plenty of red meat with little or no veg...washed down with mildly alcoholic fizzy water.

"Just noticed William Buick is at Nottingham today and has 4 rides....each has a very decent chance. Lucky 15 would be wise ;)"

He missed the opening day of Glorious Goodwood too VC. Johnny G has had small Festival teams of late.

1330: Forgot to say there's been tremendous movement on the lunch front here. Gone are lasagne and pies, in come, cooked meats, whole salmon, salad, quiche and a pork pie with caramilsed onion. All locally sourced. The turkey contained wild game stuffing and was a delight. After Goodwood, the racecourses are really spoiling us. What can Cheltenham do to match the progress? I have one or two ideas for the all-in-one pies.

1325: Good afternoon to C Kelly who writes: "Afternoon dave, as I sit looking out the office on to the A19. I can't but think how twice over is 6.2 and await the dawn 1.83. Maybe you can help?

"Other than that, I have had 3 singles today, 2-30 ENTIFAADHA, 3-05 Seville bet of the meeting. 3-40 Twice Over CD form, its best trip and with the other 2 dropping down in trip its turn of foot will be the key.

"Big shout out to my main man sam barnard who no doubt will bechirping later.vOver and out C Kelly."

1320: RUK are doing roaming features and Ladbrokes' David Williams is now on. He's either been away on holiday or has blood pressure issues. He's crimson.

1315: The ground looks in wonderful condition - and it's being walked by just about every senior trainer and jockey. Silvestre de Sousa just done a quick photo shoot while I was palmed by RUK for William Derby. This team is indeed a cruel world.

1310: Punters' Panel on at the moment and who else would you have on other than Mick Fitzgerald...

1300: Decent crowd building up here today - and the band have moved five feet to the right. Still the same four songs on a loop though. I do enjoy the Last Of The Summer Wine theme...

1247: The Hills twins are walking the course. Richard swerved from the centre of the track to the far rail and Michael followed him.

1245: I agree that Twice Over is potentially a value play in the Juddmonte International but was his win in the Sky Bet Stakes proof that he's back to his best? I'm not convinced.

1240: Good luck to Darren Fleming who is again aiming for retirement today. He says: "Looking forward to Thursday and Friday at the Knavesmire (may even dig out the suit for tomorrow)

"Really good stuff today kind of wishing i had today off too will settle for the blog and C4 coverage via Skyplus when I get home.

"Life changing (well week changing lucky 15 as follows for today. Kanaf - good run at Goodwood in a very hot race last time - hoping compensation awaits today
"Al Khan - impressive at Donny and may be a very decent horse
"Sea Moon - Favourite too short and worth opposing I think.
Twice Over - Leading contenders all closely matched on ratings but TO is 5-1!"

1230: Market moves time form our sponsors Sky Bet.

2.00 York: Rain Delayed (20 from 22s) Ginger Ted (14 from 16s)

The aptly-named Rain Delayed has conditions to suit and is also the Pricewise tip for in-form Tom Segal, while Ginger Ted has been nibbled at to bounce back to form following his Doncaster flop and will appreciate the ground.

2.30 York: Al Khan (9 from 12s) Archbishop (7 from 8s) Fort Bastion (8 from 9s)

A wide-open Acomb Stakes has seen good money flying around for once-raced maiden winners Al Khan and Archbishop, who is reportedly the best juvenile in Brian Meehan's Manton yard.

4.15 York: On The Hoof (10 from 11s) Our Boy Jack (9 from 10s)

On The Hoof, who is owned by Hoof It's owners Chubby Chandler and Lee Westwood, has been backed as if laid out for the meeting on his nursery debut and victory would provide a good omen for their Nunthorpe favourite. Heading the dangers is the progressive Our Boy Jack for the crack Knavesmire team of Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan.

4.50 Eagles Peak (9/4 from 3s) Barren Brook (8 from 9s)

Eagles Peak is thesteamer of the day in the Sky Bet trading room. The Newmarket maiden winner on his sole start is pitched into handicaps off what looks a lenient mark judged on the volume of support.

1225: Stephen Miller is playing with their money today and adds: "Nice win on the footy last night but haven't won on the GGs for too long for a man of my talent. Treble today on: 14.30 Furner's Green15.05 Nambian15.40 Midday Should help pay this month's mortgage when that comes in."

We need all the help we can get in these troubled times SM.

1220: Jeff Banks gets to more racecourses than I do. He's here for the fashion show today. His question is simple. Are you a fashionable dresser? Well are you?

1215: Of the two shorties today I'd be much more tempted to back Seville in the Voltigeur but he's yet to win a Group race and one or two have questioned his appetite for a battle. I'm not one of them..yet.

1210: Stewart Davison writes: "Many may think I need my head checked (I do, but that's another matter) with the below selections, but I assure you there is method to the madness !

"You can put a line through the high drawn horses in the first with all the pace low, leaving Kanaf and Swiss Franc as the 2 strongest selections. I think Now My Sun is too big at 33's for the 2.30 - his time compares favourably with the market principles, and is worthy of a poke. Another that's overpriced is Regent Street (305), who hasn't been disgraced behind Recital, Memphis Tennessee and Banimpire. Can ignore his last run - shouldnt be 33s when Seville is 5/4.

"If all that fails, maybe High Twelve will come home under top weight in the last .... maybe."

1205: Andy In Leeds says: "I think it could be a massive week for young Joseph O'Brien with Await the Dawn looking a good thing today, and he's also due to ride my main Ebor fancy Tactician on Saturday, who I thought was a game winner over C&D last time."

Could easily win the Acomb too A. No wonder there was money around for him to be top jockey earlier in the week.

1200: Talking of hotpot is it lunch time?

1145: Time for the Ord fancies team. In no particular order (other than race time so there is an order) they are:

1400: Ritual with saver on Shropshire
1405: No strong views, tentative vote for Archbishop
1505: No bet but Seville will win from Al Kazeem
1545: No bet but Await The Dawn beats Twice Over
1615: Campanology (nap) wins and goes in exacta with Our Boy Jack, Satanic Beat and West Lake Hare
1650: High Twelve and Ithoughtitwasover each-way against the hotpot.

1130: Good morning to Alex Downey who says: "Once again I get to have your blog keeping me entertained while I'm supposedly working! Not all that far from York either, wish I was going!

"Betting wise it's all about Seville and Midday for me. Seville has the best form on offer and has previously won well at York, behind Carlton House in the Dante. I backed Sea Moon when at York earlier in the year, but I can't follow him again on the back of a handicap win. Although he is clearly well thought of by Sir Michael Stoute.

"Sir Henry Cecil and Aidan O'Brien have won many Group races between them this year and are both double handed in an attempt to win The International. I'm hoping that Midday's big race experience will see her through against the up-and-coming Await The Dawn."

1125: Dunk Frae Scotland says: "Dave, went with 3 outsiders today all eway,strike up the band, last place horse won at mussleburgh yestarday when SUTB won. At Carlisle i can see Lucky numbers running a huge race. Tiger riens in the last at york can make a place. Good luck."

And to you Dunk!

1120: Tom is looking towards the weekend and says: "morning dave,i have just been looking through the decs for friday and fancy green destiny.i think the booking of kieran fallon looks a positive move by william haggas.your thoughts please."

I haven't looked at the race yet T but you can put a line through Green Destiny's run at Goodwood. WH never felt it would suit him - and it didn't. Has to be a player. Michael Hills definitely not getting back on him then.

1117: Rich Lynn adds: "Mmm ... find Ribeye gets a bit sickly nearing the end ... haha

Bapak Chinta not going? That was my fancy too - luckily for once not on ante-post . Might throw a few quid at SDS then on Hannon's Best Terms."

BC reportedly knocked himself in light exercise this morning.

1115: Vic Chiew is my new lifestyle coach. He writes: "I too believe in omens and my take on what happened to you on your journey clearly means you should eat as many bacon sarnies as possible...and as quickly as possible...all before 11.38am.

"Back to todays cards...win bet and ew on each. 2.00: Ritual win, Irish Heartbeat ew, 2.30: Entifaadha win, Moon Pearl ew, 3.05: Seville win, Al Kazeem ew, 3.40: Await The Dawn win, no ew, 4.15: Our Boy Jack win, Bomber Jet ew, 4.50: Eagles Peak win, Club Oceanic ew

"Moon Pearl @ 20's is one i particularly like. Happy punting to all and be lucky!"

1110: Graeme Scott is with us again. He says: "Ey up Dave. York is here again and what a joy to witness those lovely Yorkshire lasses in all their unbridled finery. Two for me today on the equine front.

"Entifaadha in the Acomb, who I backed on it's successful debut in a huge field. I just hope Mr Hills has it handy after the disasterous ride he gave the well touted Firdaws the other day.

Secondly it's gotta be Midday in the International. Back with a bang last time and lets have that G1 flag flying high and proud once again atop Warren Place."

1105: Right - added incentive. Nick Luck has mentioned going on RUK at around 1305 BST to discuss the best emails that have been sent into the blog. My decision will be final.

1100: Andy Hobbs rescues himself - just. He writes: "Technical demons - In my experience, these are mainly found somewhere between the keyboard and chair ...

"Anyway, public congratulations on Lady Kildare's battling victory the other week, the SP of 12/1, let alone the 16's available during the day will surely have filled the pockets of several of the owners. Alas, I was unwilling to believe what I had already publicly declared, that she was better than a rating of 59 and the opportunity passed me by. Will we ever learn?

"Today looks a cracker, you are indeed a lucky man to be there.

"Not sure I can be considered sane for stating that the good thing of the day goes in the lucky last, a 17 runner handicap, and is priced up at a measly 9/4. Has to drift to be a serious bet you'd think, either that or a belly full of decent ale, but seems to have a lot of ticks in the right boxes and anything like a good run from Thimaar againstSeville will see the bookies running for cover.

"The first two races look impossible from a betting perspective, but in the third Seville looks overpriced at odds against. Conversely, Await the Dawn looks one to take on at odds-on in the next - not entirely sure what with, but the beast looks too skinny at the morning prices. The nursery is surely only for the brave, leaving the good thing to end the day on a high.

"If we can watch Seville hose in, and Await the Dawn get turned over, the bulging pockets will likely be turned out on Eagles Peak in the last in a "Bang or Bust" manoevre (I trust you appreciate my tempered turn of phrase for such a public forum).

"Can we have a report on what Ales are avaialble to go with the good weather?"

Cheers for that AH. Lady Kildare is doing us proud isn't she!! Would love it, love it, if Satanic Beat won the nursery for Jedd and Andrea today - and not without a chance either.

1055: The General is on duty and says: "Looks a cracking day today and good luck everyone, just had 4 bets.

"1st race looks almost impossible but GINGER TED's 3rd to Hoof It at York 2 runs back looks good in context and he is out of stall 20 today which could be a bonus. Saver on RAIN DELAYED as messrs Pricewise and Linfoot have tipped it. The Acomb looks a cracker, Ive backed ENTIFAADHA. Good win in a decent time at Newmarket last time and being a half brother to Regal Parade, any cut shouldn't be an inconvenience.

"I've had a decent bet on AWAIT THE DAWN to beat the Cecil pair. I just think his stamina will take over in the last furlong but my best bet is BARREN BROOK in the 450. Fallon for Mick Easterby caught the eye ( Hoof It? ) and he is 2 wins from 2 tried over more than a mile. Cannot see it out of the frame.

"Enjoy looking at the womanly delights of Yorkshire today Dave."

There'll be no enjoyments of anything other than equine flesh thank-you general. Sadly the story of my life.

1050: Bit of breaking news and not good for me - Bapak Chinta not declared for the Nunthorpe.

1040: I can always rely on Rich Lynn who points out: "Steaks should never be kept to a minimum Dave!!"

Rib-eye not fillet for me now RL. I'm a changed man.

1030: Apologies for the lack of updates but been battling technical demons. And I won.

It's great to have Falbrav back and he writes: "Sorry to have missed out on recent blogging but I was in hospital for minor surgery on the first day of Glorious Goodwood. Wasn't bad timing in terms of lying down and watching some of the action (we get Channel 4 on cable over here) but I couldn't get really involved. Can I pose a question? (I guess I just did, but how about another?) Why is Roderic O'Connor 22-1?

"He is not in as a pacemaker so take the actual pacemaker and the other rag out of the equation and you're basically left with 4 runners. To my untrained eye, Await the Dawn took a while to respond at Ascot before blitzing the field and this one looks a bit of a vulnerable odds-on shot back down in trip. I guess a bit of stamina could come into play if Midday, or indeed Twice Over, set sail for home early in the straight. In fact, I can envisage these two duelling for the lead two furlongs out with Roderic O'Connor sitting in their slipstream and Await The Dawn taking time to wind up on the flat track.

" In the end there might be no more than two lengths between the first four and I cansee Roddy just sticking his head out on the line. This wouldn't be the first time a Guineas winner called Rod won the International after disappointing in the Derby. (OK so it was the English rather than the Irish Guineas and the horse in question disappointed in one Derby rather than two but it's still a valid comparison). Answers on a postcard to the usual address if you can name that horse and jockey! Have a great festival and enjoy the wittles."

Cheers F! Sadly Roderic is now a non-runner though. I too thought he was the last remaining piece of value in the race. Back to the drawing board.

1000: Good morning and welcome to the opening day of the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival. Glorious morning, sunshine and a cooling breeze for the rotund gentlemen who have to keep their jackets on.

But do you believe in omens? I do. My journey here involved being stuck behind two tractors and then a lorry carrying crates shed its load on the road in Featherstone. A 45-minute journey took an hour and as a result stakes are to be kept to a minimum.

Wonderful day ahead though and get your thoughts over to daveord55@gmail.com. There was a little give underfoot in the car park, good, good to soft in places I'd say and firm on the tarmac.

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SIDELINED CHINTA MISSES NUNTHORPE

Bapak Chinta is a surprise absentee from Friday's Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Kevin Ryan's unbeaten Norfolk Stakes winner was towards the top of the betting for the prestigious Group One contest but will not line up on the Knavesmire after suffering a late setback.

Ryan said: "He was just doing a very light exercise this morning and as he was cantering, he's struck into himself and given himself a nasty cut on the inside of his hock.

"It's nothing serious and the horse is sound, but it wouldn't be fair on the horse, the owner or the punters to run him.

"In all probability in three or four days he'll be perfect, but you can't go into a race of this calibre with any doubts at all.

"It's very frustrating as all his serious work was done and it was only a very light exercise. Phillip (Makin) came in to ride him and we actually didn't notice anything had happened during the work, it was only when we were washing him off.

"The owner has been an absolute gentleman about it and said if we had any doubts we shouldn't run.

"I'm not sure where we'll go now. We'll have to regroup as this has been the plan since Royal Ascot."

17 are left in the race, with leading fancies Hoof It, Bated Breath and last-year's winner Sole Power all confirmed.

Although he has lost his major hope, Ryan will still be well represented in the race with Masamah, Tiddliwinks and Breathless Kiss all featuring among the final field of 17 runners.

"All three of them did the same work this morning as Bapak Chinta and fingers crossed, they all seem in great order," Ryan added.

"Hopefully one of them can ring the bell."

Ante-post favourite Hoof It has been declared by Mick Easterby having been supplemented for the race on the back of a brilliant win in the Stewards' Cup.

Eddie Lynam's Sole Power was a 100-1 winner of the contest 12 months ago but will be nowhere near that price this time around, while Invincible Ash and exciting juvenile Requinto joining him on the trip from Ireland.

Bated Breath has seemingly overcome a setback suffered last week and lines up, while other major contenders include King's Stand winner Prohibit and French raider Wizz Kid.

Tim Easterby-trained duo Captain Dunne and Hamish McGonagall, Inxile, Kingsgate Native, Piccadilly Filly, Swiss Diva and Margot Did complete the field.

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FIELD OF NINE FOR GIMCRACK

William Haggas will saddle Justineo as he tries to win back-to-back Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York On Friday.

The Newmarket maiden winner is among nine confirmed declarations for the six furlong contest, and will face stern opposition from Phoenix Stakes fourth and fifth Lilbourne Lad and Reply.

Coventry Stakes sixth B Fifty Two will run following a fine effort in France last time, and will be joined in the line-up by Norfolk Stakes fourth Burwaaz.

Maiden winners Diamondhead and Sardanapalus will be joined by Alan Jarvis's Wise Venture, whilst Caspar Netscher completes the field.

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HILLS HOPING FOR FINAL GLORY

Barry Hills is looking to Angels Will Fall to provide him with one final big-race success in the Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes at York tomorrow.

The Lambourn trainer has enjoyed many victories on the Knavesmire over the years and he would love to have one more before he hands over the reins to his son Charlie on Monday.

The daughter of Acclamation takes a 100% record to the Knavesmire, having made a winning debut at Windsor followed by a Group Three triumph in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot last month.

"She has done absolutely nothing wrong in her two races so far," said Charlie Hills.

"This is tougher but she has lots of speed and a really good turn of foot. She was impressive at Ascot and we hope she can go well again.

"She's in great nick."

Owners Godolphin supplemented Gamilati at the confirmation stage on the strength of her first win from three starts in the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting.

"She is in great form," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford of the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained filly.

"She won the Cherry Hinton in very good fashion and since then her form has been boosted by Discourse, our filly that beat her on her previous run, coming out and winning the Sweet Solera. So her form looks strong."

Inetrobil has finished in the first four in Group races on her last two starts and connections of the Kevin Ryan-trained filly are bullish about her chances.

"She's in terrific form according to the trainer and we are excited about her prospects," said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

"She's a lovely filly and she should certainly be competitive again."

Shumoos was one place ahead of Inetrobil in third behind Gamilati in the Cherry Hinton.

Brian Meehan's charge has other scores to settle as she was short headed by Best Terms in the Queen Mary.

"Right from her impressive Haydock debut, Shumoos has been among the leading juvenile fillies, being beaten by only inches in the Queen Mary and then close again when caught late in finishing third in the Cherry Hinton," her Manton trainer told www.brianmeehan.co.uk.

"She has continued to work well and has a good chance of avenging those defeats against her two respective conquerors, Best Terms and Gamilati."

Irish trainer David Wachman is hoping Fire Lily can make the step up in class.

"She's well and we'll see what happens," he said.

"She's stepping up from a Group Three to a Group Two so we'll just have to see how she goes.

"She's won with cut in the ground so that won't be a problem."

Richard Hannon has opted to keep Best Terms to her own age and sex rather than be tempted by the lure of the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes against older horses.

She has won each of her three races to date, the latest coming in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, but her and Gamilati have to cope with a 3lb penalty.

"Best Terms is a May foal, so she surprised us by being so professional early on and, though we weren't sure she would have the pace for the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, Hughesie (Richard Hughes) made the point that you need a six-furlong filly to win that race, so we took a chance and it paid off," the trainer told www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"She has grown a bit since Ascot and is as tough as teak. While a penalty makes it that much harder, she won't be far away."Barry Hills is looking to Angels Will Fall to provide him with one final big-race success in the Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes at York tomorrow.

The Lambourn trainer has enjoyed many victories on the Knavesmire over the years and he would love to have one more before he hands over the reins to his son Charlie on Monday.

The daughter of Acclamation takes a 100% record to the Knavesmire, having made a winning debut at Windsor followed by a Group Three triumph in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot last month.

"She has done absolutely nothing wrong in her two races so far," said Charlie Hills.

"This is tougher but she has lots of speed and a really good turn of foot. She was impressive at Ascot and we hope she can go well again.

"She's in great nick."

Owners Godolphin supplemented Gamilati at the confirmation stage on the strength of her first win from three starts in the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting.

"She is in great form," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford of the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained filly.

"She won the Cherry Hinton in very good fashion and since then her form has been boosted by Discourse, our filly that beat her on her previous run, coming out and winning the Sweet Solera. So her form looks strong."

Inetrobil has finished in the first four in Group races on her last two starts and connections of the Kevin Ryan-trained filly are bullish about her chances.

"She's in terrific form according to the trainer and we are excited about her prospects," said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

"She's a lovely filly and she should certainly be competitive again."

Shumoos was one place ahead of Inetrobil in third behind Gamilati in the Cherry Hinton.

Brian Meehan's charge has other scores to settle as she was short headed by Best Terms in the Queen Mary.

"Right from her impressive Haydock debut, Shumoos has been among the leading juvenile fillies, being beaten by only inches in the Queen Mary and then close again when caught late in finishing third in the Cherry Hinton," her Manton trainer told www.brianmeehan.co.uk.

"She has continued to work well and has a good chance of avenging those defeats against her two respective conquerors, Best Terms and Gamilati."

Irish trainer David Wachman is hoping Fire Lily can make the step up in class.

"She's well and we'll see what happens," he said.

"She's stepping up from a Group Three to a Group Two so we'll just have to see how she goes.

"She's won with cut in the ground so that won't be a problem."

Richard Hannon has opted to keep Best Terms to her own age and sex rather than be tempted by the lure of the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes against older horses.

She has won each of her three races to date, the latest coming in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, but her and Gamilati have to cope with a 3lb penalty.

"Best Terms is a May foal, so she surprised us by being so professional early on and, though we weren't sure she would have the pace for the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, Hughesie (Richard Hughes) made the point that you need a six-furlong filly to win that race, so we took a chance and it paid off," the trainer told www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"She has grown a bit since Ascot and is as tough as teak. While a penalty makes it that much harder, she won't be far away."

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EXCEL AIMING FOR TOP-LEVEL TRIUMPH

Marco Botti is keen for Excelebration to add a Group One victory to his CV before letting him renew rivalries with unbeaten colt Frankel.

Excelebration has won two of his four starts this season, running away with the German 2000 Guineas and beating a clutch of smart older horses in Saturday's Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

His defeats in the Greenham Stakes and in the St James's Palace Stakes have both come at the hands of Sir Henry Cecil's wonder horse.

Botti said: "I'm really pleased with how he has come out of the race. He seems very well, he's bouncing and he looks good.

"We were obviously quite confident he could run a big race at Newbury, but the manner in which he won was very impressive.

"I said he had strengthened up a lot since Ascot and that looked to be the case on Saturday. I am very happy with him.

"We will stick to the original plan and go for the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp (September 11) next.

"It would be nice for him to win a Group One race and I am sure he is more than capable of doing that.

"If we can avoid Frankel and win the Group One, then we can then take him on again at Ascot in the QEII. If we could finish second to Frankel again, we would be very happy as it is a very prestigious race."

Botti also had news of Fanunalter, who was fifth in the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury last week.

"He was very unlucky again and unfortunately it is the second successive year it has happened in that race," Botti added.

"He had a wall of horses in front of him and Adam (Kirby) said he tried to go through a gap three times, but the gap just shut in front of him.

"He didn't have anywhere to go so then he switched him outside and it was too late to catch the first few horses.

"It's a pity because he's still in good nick and he would have finished very close. Whether he would have won or not, I don't know, but he was still full of running and still cruising on the bridle.

"He's in the Celebration Mile but he's unlikely to run there. There is the option of running him in Canada, but I need to talk to the owners."

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O'BRIEN HOPING FOR DAWN DELIGHT

Joseph O'Brien appears to hold an outstanding chance of riding his first British Group One winner when he gets the leg-up on Await The Dawn in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

Injury to Ryan Moore and the lack of a stable jockey at Aidan O'Brien's operation has led to the all-conquering trainer turning to a range of other riders and his son has begun to establish himself as one of the first choices.

Joseph has already enjoyed success in an Irish Classic when taking the 2000 Guineas with Roderic O'Connor and helped Maybe to land the Group Two Debutante Stakes in impressive style earlier this month.

Await The Dawn, who was lightly raced at two and three, looked a star in the making as a four-year-old in the Huxley Stakes at Chester and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The jockey said: "I haven't ridden him in a race but I know him well at home. He's a lovely big horse and you'd say he was very uncomplicated. His form looks good from Ascot, so hopefully he will run well."

Race sponsor Khalid Abdullah has been linked with the International for many years and almost won it with Twice Over last year before he was pipped by O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle. The three-time Group One winner quelled a dip in his form by striking in the York Stakes over course and distance last month and tries again.

Sir Henry Cecil's stable jockey Tom Queally, however, has opted to ride the same owner's outstanding mare Midday after she claimed the Nassau Stakes for the third year in a row.

The trainer told At The Races: "Twice Over has been with us for quite a few years and has become part of the furniture. Unfortunately in Flat racing, horses tend to leave at the end of their three-year-old careers and I can see why National Hunt trainers get attached to their horses, because they are with them a long time.

"He is a lovely looking horse, big with a good head on him. He's a real gentleman and has done terribly well. He's won the Champion Stakes twice, won the Eclipse. He was pretty good as a three-year-old too, and was third in the St James's Palace. He's a very good horse in his own right."

On the opposition, Cecil added: "Await The Dawn is a decent horse, he won over the trip at Chester and won at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke. He's a good horse and has only had six or seven runs. He's a pretty formidable opponent, but I'm going to try."

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FAHEY: HARRISON BACK TO WORKABLE MARK

Ebor week is huge for our yard, everyone loves Royal Ascot but this is where I need winners. It will be tough but then again it always is.

Irish Heartbeat ran better at Doncaster on Saturday and we drop him back to five furlongs for the Symphony Group Handicap, the opening race on Wednesday. The more rain the better for him as it will slow them down a bit. He's been a little disappointing this year but the Doncaster run was a step back in the right direction.

We've also declared Johannes but he ran no race in the Great St Wilfrid on Saturday. It if carries on raining he's not 100 per cent certain to run and I'll have to speak to the owners. They'll be keen to go and we'll make a late decision but soft ground would be against him.

Our Boy Jack runs in the sportingbet.com Nursery at 1615. He's got to step up on what he's done so far but he's a nice horse. He was favourite for the Brocklesby and we thought quite a lot of him early on but he's taken a while to get his head in front.

He did that the last day though and just recently is starting to get everything together. He could run a big race in a competitive contest.

I'll have my hands full before the Patrington Haven Leisure Park Handicap as we have four runners in Wednesday's finale.

Our Joe Mac ran well at Goodwood, he came there strongly and I thought he was going to win. The ground will be perfect for him at York and he just needs a little luck. We fancied him for the Lincoln and while he hasn't won this season he has run some very good races. He's been very consistent but has to step up again - this is the Ebor Meeting.

The handicapper has Demolition to a tee. He keeps running well and his rating isn't dropping. He'll need others to underperform to win but is in great form.

Kay Gee Be is also as high as he wants to be and we have no excuses, his last two runs are as good as he is. There could be a little left in Ingleby Spirit who has had a break and will love the ground. We've schooled him and he's ready to go jumping but we thought we'd give him another spin on the Flat. It'll be tough and if I had to pick one of ours it would be Our Joe Mac.

Thursday opens with the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes and we've two runners chasing the big pot.

Miss Work Of Art is proving just a little disappointing of late and it's just a case of have the other two-year-olds caught her up. She's never run on the ground before but that could be in her favour and she's working well.

Worthington hasn't done much wrong but needs to step to win this. It's a race that the colts have traditionally dominated and it will be interesting to see what happens.

The Addleshaw Goddard Stakes is a very competitive handicap. Harrison George has come down to a workable mark and loves the track, it's very, very tough but if he's back to his best he'd be my best chance of winning it.

Prime Exhibit has had a good break and will love the ground but Harrison looks back on a winning mark and can hopefully run very well.

Cracking Lass has 16lbs to find on the principals in the EBF 'Selkirk' Galtres Stakes and we're just trying to nick a bit more Black Type with her. She was placed in the Braveheart at Hamilton and we'd like a bit more. We could have found an easier race to do it in but we've stuck blinkers on her for the first time.

I'll be back on Thursday evening with my thoughts on the team for the rest of the meeting but over the opening two days my best bet would be Harrison George each-way.

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BOOKMAKERS AWAIT THE DAWN

Aidan O'Brien has won two of the last three runnings of the Juddmonte International Stakes - and bookmakers are clearly anticipating Await The Dawn extending his fine record in the 10-furlong showpiece.

O'Brien's son Joseph is given the opportunity to claim his first British Group One on clear stable first choice Await The Dawn, who is set to go off at close to even money in the betting.

The junior O'Brien has taken advantage of the injury to Ryan Moore and the lack of a stable jockey at Ballydoyle and his father picked him for Await The Dawn, who is lightly raced and has looked a star in the making as a four-year-old in the Huxley Stakes at Chester and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The teenager rode his first Classic on Roderic O'Connor in the Irish 2000 Guineas, but that one will be partnered by Colm O'Donoghue, and is on a retrieval mission after the French and Irish Derby.

Windsor Palace and Seamie Heffernan are set for pacemaking duties.

"I haven't ridden him in a race but I know him well at home," Joseph O'Brien said of Await The Dawn.

"He's a lovely, big horse and you'd say he was very uncomplicated.

"His form looks good from Ascot, so hopefully he will run well."

Khalid Abdullah yearns to win the race he sponsors and has encouraged trainer Sir Henry Cecil to field both Midday and Twice Over, who will give O'Brien a stiff challenge.

He almost won it with Twice Over last year before he was pipped to the post by O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle and his three-time Group One winner quelled a dip in his form this season by striking in the York Stakes over course and distance last month.

Cecil's stable jockey Tom Queally, however, has opted to ride the outstanding mare Midday after she claimed the Nassau Stakes for the third year in a row.

"The race is fraught with great possibilities and great interest for us all," the owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe told Racing UK.

"Prince Khalid has supported the race and has been a fantastic supporter of York.

"This is a race everyone connected with Juddmonte would dearly like to win, not least of all the boss, and he is sending his two currently most suitable and ready horses to go.

"I think Tom would have preferred not to have made the decision (which horse to ride), but the way Midday came back at Goodwood was very pleasing.

"I wish we had 20 more like Twice Over as he has been such a reliable, genuine, charming horse.

"He's still tremendously enthusiastic in his work and goes really nicely.

"The filly still likes it as well, so we're giving it our best shot."

Cecil is equally enchanted by Twice Over, who has now reached the age of six. "Twice Over has been with us for quite a few years and has become part of the furniture," he told At The Races.

"Unfortunately in Flat racing, horses tend to leave at the end of their three-year-old careers and I can see why National Hunt trainers get attached to their horses, because they are with them a long time.

"He is a lovely looking horse, big with a good head on him. He's a real gentleman and has done terribly well. He's won the Champion Stakes twice, won the Eclipse. He was pretty good as a three-year-old too, and was third in the St James's Palace. He's a very good horse in his own right."

On the opposition, Cecil added: "Await The Dawn is a decent horse, he won over the trip at Chester and won at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke.

"He's a good horse and has only had six or seven runs. He's a pretty formidable opponent, but I'm going to try."

York clerk of the course William Derby reported showers on the Knavesmire on Tuesday afternoon, meaning 6.4mm of rain had fallen in the previous 48 hours.

The going was reported as good to soft, good in places with a dry night and day in store.

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SEVILLE TARGETING VOLTIGEUR VICTORY

Seamie Heffernan is optimistic Seville can secure a deserved first victory of the campaign in the sportingbet.com Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday.

Having shown smart juvenile form, Aidan O'Brien's son of Galileo was sent off favourite to beat Carlton House in the Dante Stakes at York back in May, but had to make do with the runner-up spot behind the Queen's colt.

He failed to reproduce that form in the Derby at Epsom but has bounced back since, claiming second in the Irish Derby and most recently in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

Seville currently heads ante-post lists for the St Leger at Doncaster next month and bids to cement his place as favourite for the season's final Classic in this recognised trial on the Knavesmire.

"We're happy enough with him and he seems to be coming out of his races fresh and well," said Heffernan.

"He's getting more mature and stronger all the time, so I'm hoping for a big run tomorrow.

"I don't think ground is any issue with him. I think you just want a bit of luck and want them turning up with a big will every day.

"The Galileo horses seem to be the ones to be with at the moment. They are tough and they are up for it every day.

"I would think if all goes well then the Leger will be his next run after the Voltigeur. This is one of the main Leger trials and I would think that is why Aidan is running him.

"I love riding big-race winners in England I hope I can have another at York."

O'Brien also saddles likely pacemaker Regent Street.

In-form trainer Roger Charlton is represented by Al Kazeem, who makes his first racecourse appearance since landing a 10-furlong Newbury handicap in May.

Charlton said: "It's a considerable step up in class for him and also a step up in distance on what looks set to be rain-softened ground.

"He hasn't run since May having had a setback after his last run and while he's in good form and ready to start back, I'm sure he'll improve on what ever he does."

Mark Johnston's Namibian won over two miles in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and found the drop in distance no problem when grinding out a determined success in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The Cape Cross colt officially has 8lb to find with Seville according to the handicapper but Johnston remains hopeful of a big run.

"It's not all about ratings and he's past handicapping now. He's going to have to run against these horses some time and if he hadn't met them here, he'd have met them in the Leger," said the Middleham handler.

"There are no doubts about trip with this horse. He can compete over any trip you want to throw at him.

"The ground shouldn't be a problem and he's been absolutely fine since Goodwood, so we'll see how we get on."

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ACOMB TESTER FOR CHAPPLE-HYAM

Peter Chapple-Hyam looks to continue his mini-revival with a big-race winner as Al Khan takes on a host of unknown quantities in the sportingbet.com Acomb Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The popular Chapple-Hyam is operating at a minor fraction of the scale of his 90s pomp when Classics came like London buses, but the stable is flying at the moment with three winners and others running well over the last week.

Al Khan collected a maiden at Doncaster last month but faces other well-regarded recent winners like Furner's Green, Balty Boys and Entifaadha in the seven-furlong Group Three.

"It's a very tough race - I wish I'd run him somewhere else really!" said Chapple-Hyam.

"He's a horse I like a lot and he has obviously improved since Doncaster but he'll need to as there's going to be no hiding place.

"However, we have got to find out how good he is."

Furner's Green leads a three-strong team from Aidan O'Brien's stable.

O'Brien's son Joseph steered the son of Dylan Thomas to a three-length defeat of stablemate and Acomb rival Battle Of Saratoga at Tipperary, with fourth-placed East Meets West also making the trip from Ireland.

Both the other runners were beaten by Strait Of Zanzibar in the Hurricane Run Stakes back at Tipperary this month.

"I rode him in his maiden at Tipperary, where he won nicely," said Joseph O'Brien.

"He's a nice horse and I'm looking forward to it."

Seamie Heffernan, who takes the mount on Battle Of Saratoga, added: "We've got three nice colts in the race. My fellow ran second at Tipperary last time and the horse that Colm O'Donoghue rides (East Meets West) ran in the same race and looked a bit unlucky in third.

"I'd imagine Joseph's horse is the classiest of the three, but all of them are well and you have to run them when you can."

Barry Hills saddles the final runners of his career this week before handing over his famous Lambourn yard to son Charlie next Monday.

The trainer's representative is Balty Boys, who runs in the colours of Sir Alex Ferguson and collected a maiden at Newbury in fluent style last time.

Charlie Hills said: "I think the step up to seven furlongs will really suit this horse. He has plenty of speed, as he showed when winning his maiden, and he is a colt we have always liked."

Richard Hannon's Fort Bastion is given another chance at a high level, despite being without a win in three starts so far.

"Sir Robert Ogden loves having runners at York so this was always the target. He is a maiden taking on 10 previous winners at level weights, but he is a very good maiden, I promise you," the trainer insisted on www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"On his second to 1000 Guineas favourite Maybe in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, Fort Bastion would have a serious chance, and you can forget his last run in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket as the riding instructions must have got lost in transit.

"Hughesie (Richard Hughes) was banned, so Olivier Peslier rode, and, while I hate blaming jockeys, this was pilot error. OK, he missed the break, but he never got competitive at any stage, and it was a wasted run. We think that Fort Bastion is a decent horse, and, hopefully, he'll prove that here."

Brian Meehan's Archbishop won his only start over the same distance at Sandown late last month and the trainer reported on his website: "Most observers will deduce that he is likely to develop into a smart performer, as that is often the case when our juveniles win first time on the big tracks and we believe and hope that it is. Great chance of a follow-up, albeit in face of potentially smart opponents."

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PRAY FOR RAIN AT 25/1

Aidan O'Brien could be set for a big day with Await The Dawn and Seville prohibitively priced favourites for the feature races on day one of the York Ebor Festival.

Both have solid chances but the pair are priced accordingly and though I couldn't take them on I wouldn't be wading in on a lumpy double either.

Instead I'll look to the bookends of the card with the opening Symphony Group Handicap a race I particularly want to get my teeth into.

The market leaders look vulnerable here with Ritual flopping at Ascot last time and Ancient Cross beaten the last twice at York off 5lb-lower marks.

There is a decent chance of one going in at a big price in this contest and the outsider I want on my side is RAIN DELAYED at 25/1.

He's presumably that price because he carries top weight from stall 16 but I'm not convinced a stands rail draw is such a bad place to be and with plenty of pace up the middle Tom Queally could well drop him in anyway.

He is usually held up and I reckon that style of racing could well benefit in this contest with Fitz Flyer, Favourite Girl and Falasteen all speedballs drawn centrally.

I don't think his weight is an issue either as the last twice he has run in a handicap he's carried either the biggest load or the second biggest - and both times he finished half a length second to Noble Storm.

They were both off handicap marks of 99 (he races off 101 here) and the first of those came at this meeting two years ago, with his latest handicap effort at Newbury in April.

All of his other starts have come at Listed and Group class - his last two efforts coming in those grades behind Masamah here and in a Group 2 at Goodwood.

He tends to run on well off a fast pace over five furlongs so the extra distance here should suit and dropped in grade he looks sure to go well at big odds.

I also cannot resist a small bet on FACE THE PROBLEM at 12/1 as he is another who should benefit from a furious gallop.

He looked a smart juvenile last year with gate to wire successes here and at Thirsk but he probably hasn't got the early speed to repeat that manner of victory these days.

He struggled when tried at pattern level and was rated 108 at one stage but he's back down to a mark of 89 now and that looks a competitive one for him judged by his run at Windsor last time.

He was hampered early but finished his race really well down the outside and his turn might not be far away.

With Silvestre De Sousa booked and stall six an ideal berth to track the pace down the middle he looks worth chancing at around 12/1.

Finally, WORLD HERITAGE looks worth a bet in the closing Patrington Haven Leisure Park Handicap.

He was a decent horse for Pascal Bary and finished second in the Prix Eugene Adam two years ago.

Robert Eddery has struggled a little with him since he came into his yard but the signs last time were good in a handicap at Newmarket where he raced with his old zest off a mark of 95.

Down a further 1lb here he could be primed to strike and is worth a small bet at 20s.

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